Tampa Bay Region Invited to support HBCUs and Students through UNCF Black History Month Luncheon
February 25 2020 - 4:28PM
Working to improve the lives of talented and deserving students of
color, the 14th annual Tampa Bay UNCF (United Negro College Fund)
Black History Month Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28 at
11:30 a.m., at the Tampa Marriot Westshore. The fundraising event
brings together dignitaries, corporations, civic leaders and
historically black colleges and university (HBCU) alumni who
support UNCF’s mission of forging better futures for all through
higher education.
Since its founding, UNCF has empowered more than half a million
students to earn college degrees. As the largest and most effective
minority education organization in the United States, UNCF also
actively supports 37 private HBCUs and advocates for minority
higher education.
“We are so grateful to the Tampa Bay community for their
on-going support of students who depend on UNCF to realize their
dream of higher education,” said Gwen T. Hewitt, area development
director, UNCF.
The Black History Month Luncheon weaves together the recognition
of African American excellence and history with UNCF’s primary
mission to help Tampa students reach their educational goals. Last
year’s event raised more than $60,000 for local students with the
help of Hillsborough County. The participating donors and sponsors
for this year include AT&T, Wells Fargo, and Suncoast Credit
Union and JPMorgan Chase.
WFTS-TV Action News anchor and reporter Deiah Riley will serve
as mistress of ceremonies, along with the media outlet also acting
as a media sponsor. Retired U.S. Navy Captain and former astronaut
Winston Elliot Scott will be the keynote speaker. Entertainment to
be provided by The Bethune Cookman Concert Chorale. The event will
feature UNCF scholarship recipients from Bethune Cookman University
and the University of South Florida. To purchase tickets, go
to UNCF.org/TampaBHMLuncheon. Follow this event on social media
@UNCF #UNCF #UNCFTampa
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About UNCF UNCF (the 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, supports and 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 17 percent of African American
baccalaureate degrees. UNCF 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 over 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 Florida
Region on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNCF.
Mashari Grissom
United Negro College Fund, Inc. (UNCF)
202-854-0007
mashari.grissom@uncf.org