For 75 years, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) has supported hundreds of thousands of deserving students, private historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and advocated for minority higher education. As it marks this important milestone, UNCF will celebrate all year long via its fundraising events across the country including the San Francisco UNCF "A Mind Is…" Gala set for 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23. Culminating a weekend collaboration with the Coalition of Black Excellence (CBE), close to 1,200 attendees are expected to attend the annual signature fundraiser including keynote speaker and author Kevin Powell; evening host and reporter for KPIX Channel 5 Christin Ayers; and Black-ish actor and event co-host Allen Maldonado. Entertainment will be provided by Grammy®-nominated artists Musiq Soulchild and Martin Luther, former member of The Roots and a UNCF-member institution Morehouse College alumnus.

"UNCF has strived to change the HBCU narrative across the nation," said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. "By partnering with the CBE to raise awareness of our mission, we are equipping more students of color with the resources necessary to transition into college, graduate and ultimately expand and diversify America's highly educated workforce."

During the CBE's two-day summit, UNCF will also lead a thought-provoking discussion on "Education, Social Impact and the Importance of Giving Back" at 9 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero.

For the first time, UNCF and the CBE will be co-hosting the signature black-tie gala which includes live music, an Ebay-sponsored silent auction and a moveable feast designed by award-winning Chef Chauncy. Benefitting HBCUs and students of color, events like the San Francisco "A Mind Is…" Gala helped UNCF gain resources to provide more than $450,000 in scholarships last year to students from San Francisco.

The economic benefits of HBCUs extend beyond the students they educate. Generating $14.8 billion in total economic impact annually, HBCUs are equally important to the communities they have served for more 100 years.

"UNCF is committed to providing our students with the necessary tools to succeed," said Monica Sudduth, regional development director, UNCF. "Whether attending one of our member HBCUs or local institutions such as the University of California, our goal is to help as many students as we can get to and through college successfully. A highly educated workforce is vital to ensuring better futures for our students and all Americans."

For being beacons of hope and supporters of UNCF's mission, UNCF will honor Dr. Doris "Lucki" Allen, one of two women inducted in the U.S. Armed Forces Military Intelligence Hall of Fame and a Tuskegee University alumna; and the Intel Corporation. Event sponsors include presenting sponsor CBE, Dignity Health, Kaiser Permanente, Union Bank and Wells Fargo, Albertsons, PG&E, Chevron, Bank of America, Oracle, McDonald's Black Operators and the Golden State Warriors.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit UNCF.org/SanFrancisco or contact the local San Francisco UNCF office at 415.956.1018. Follow this event on social media @UNCF #UNCFSanFrancisco #UNCF.

About UNCF

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students' education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."® Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.

SOURCE United Negro College Fund