Rodney Bullard, vice president of community affairs at Chick-fil-A,
Inc. and executive director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation; Ted Blum, managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Atlanta office and chair of the firm’s Atlanta Corporate and Securities Practice and Wendy Stewart, president, Atlanta Market Bank of America, were officially announced today as the honorary co-chairs of the 34th Annual UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball. Actor/Singer Tyrese Gibson is the honorary celebrity co-chair. The formal affair, UNCF’s signature fundraising gala and premier social event of the holiday season, will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017, 6:30 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta.
“We are thrilled to have three of Atlanta’s most distinguished corporate leaders and one of the nation’s leading actor and singer to join Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed as honorary co-chairs of our annual major fundraiser. Last year, Atlanta made history as having the first UNCF event to net $1million. Over1200 guests including fifteen college presidents, students, corporate leaders, celebrities, community partners, and sponsors were in attendance in support of our 37 UNCF member colleges and universities, four of which are right here in Atlanta,” said Justine Boyd, UNCF Regional Development Director.
Entertainment will be provided by multi-talented singer, songwriter, actor, author, and television producer and R & B Recording Artist Tyrese Gibson.
In addition, last year’s co-chairs Brannigan Thompson, senior vice president, Voya Financial and Donta’ Wilson, senior executive vice president and chief client experience officer, BB&T are honorees this year.
UNCF is helping to prepare young men and women for the workforce by providing assistance for textbooks and other college costs. As a result of the success of the UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball Atlanta, thousands of students have a brighter future because of the support they have received. More than 600 students in the past few years attending UNCF member schools were either able to attend college and or continue their college education without interruption of financial challenges.
Started 34 years ago by former Mayor Andrew Young and Billye S. Aaron, the Ball is hosted by the city’s current Mayor and is largely supported by local corporate and civic entities. A much anticipated holiday event that raises unrestricted dollars for UNCF’s support for local students, the Ball attracts a diverse array of attendees from across the metropolitan area, including local celebrities, dignitaries, civic and elected officials.