Target received the “A Mind Is…” Gala Corporate Award. Left to right are: Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., executive vice president for field development, UNCF; Kenya Joyce Hatch, area development director, Chicago, UNCF; Fred Mitchell, vice president of development for UNCF’s Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions; Jalah Hood, Target Scholar; Ron Brown, vice president of Community Impact, Target; and Lisa Rollins, regional development director, Workplace, UNCF (Credit: Ven Sherrod).
Black eminence, in all its splendor, was on full display at the United Negro College Fund’s “A Mind Is…” (AMI) Gala at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Thousands packed the ballroom on a recent Saturday in June to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the venerable UNCF, supporting its mission to help underrepresented students become highly qualified college graduates while increasing the overall number of African American grads.
Donors of all kinds came through spectacularly.
According to UNCF Regional Development Director, Workplace, Lisa Rollins, the event raised $700,000. Rollins added that “monies are still coming in from donations and our online auction. It’s never too late to give.”
Indeed, the immaculately attired guests, many of them dignitaries from the community, partied with a purpose.
The festivities started with the Chicago State University Music Trio delivering a poignant a capella version of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Then, international Grammy Award-winning superstar Lionel Ritchie gave a video testimonial about UNCF’s cultural and societal significance.
From there, the party jumped off with a boom followed by a stomp. The former was courtesy of The Pack Drumline, which delighted audiences with a dynamic performance of drum and dance, and the latter was thanks to a simultaneous Greek Stroll featuring six of the Divine 9 sororities and fraternities with their colors and calls.
It was the sort of event that regaled the senses, from the splashes of purple and gold integrated throughout the ballroom decor to the hors d’oeuvres and entrees themselves, which featured exquisite bites such as lamb chops, jumbo shrimp cocktail, steak and chocolate mousse, among other items.
Speaking of visual delights, the works of Zimbabwean visual artist Kudzai B. Mutasa were showcased as part of the AMI gala, as 24 of her pieces were included in a silent auction. Attendees also bid on concert tickets to see international superstars, including Janet Jackson, trips to the French Riviera, Mozambique, Abu Dhabi, and other exotic locations and items from the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears.
This night was also about honoring the community members and organizations whose efforts support the UNCF’s mission.
Corliss V. Garner, EVP and Chief DEI Officer at Old National Bank, received the AMI Community Award for her long-term support. Target received the AMI Corporate Award, which Ron Brown, Vice President of Community Impact, and Jalah Hood, a Target Scholar, accepted.
Rev. Otis and First Lady Monica Moss of Trinity United Church of Christ received the AMI Alumni Award. AMI Advocate Award honorees included Assistant Majority Leader Sen. Mattie Hunter, Illinois State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer and Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore.
Awardees received unique sculptures created by Chicago artist Deborah Hand, reflecting the cultural beauty of the African Diaspora.
Nationally syndicated radio personality Trey White of WGCI-FM and NBC5 meteorologist Iisha Scott co-hosted the event, and Marseil “Action” Jackson, radio personality and co-host of “The Brunch Bunch” on 1390- AM Gospel Radio, served as the Paddle Raise Auctioneer. Jackson raised nearly $50,000 on-site at the gala through his efforts.
But the evening wasn’t complete until Grammy-nominated soul singer Eric Benét took to the stage to perform an hour-long set of his sultry and melodic soul music, compelling attendees to fill the dancefloor and move to the sounds of this acclaimed balladeer and his band.
The images below tell the story of one unforgettable night:
(L-R) Gala emcee Iisha Scott, meteorologist, NBC5-TV; Lisa Rollins, regional development director, workplace, UNCF; and emcee Trey White, WGCI-FM radio personality (Credit: Ven Sherrod).
UNCF “A Mind Is…” Gala Chair Steven Hunter of Quarles & Brady LLP, the gala presenting sponsor, gave remarks and thanked everyone for supporting UNCF (Credit: Ven Sherrod).
Members of The Pack Drumline after their stirring performance (Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).
Men of Alpha Phi Alpha participating in the Greek stroll at the UNCF “A Mind Is…” Gala (Credit: Ven Sherrod).
Members of six of the Divine 9 organizations, also known as the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), a group of nine historically Black Greek-letter sororities and fraternities, showed up and showed out during the Greek Stroll at the UNCF Gala. Participants included members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Zeta Phi Beta (Credit: Ven Sherrod).
(L) Visual artist Kuzdai B. Mutasa displaying her artwork at the UNCF “A Mind Is…” Gala (Credit: Ven Sherrod).
One of the highlights of the night was visual artist Kuzdai B. Mutasa doing a live painting during the AMI gala (Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).
County Board President Toni Preckwinkle at the UNCF AMI gala (Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).
Corliss V. Garner, EVP and Chief DEI Officer at Old National Bank, received the AMI Community Award (Credit, Tacuma R. Roeback).
Marseil Action Jackson, of 1390- AM Gospel Radio, served as the Paddle Raise Auctioneer at the UNCF AMI Gala (Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).
A young man at the UNCF AMI Gala shows off his championship boxing belts (Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).
The 2024 UNCF Mastermind Class (Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).
Grammy nominated singer Eric Benét regaled the gala crowd with his smooth brand of R&B (Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).
Eric Benét performed an hour-long set at the UNCF AMI Gala (Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).
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