UNCF to Host 16th Annual Black History Month Luncheon

Changing the narrative of HBCUs across the nation; Dr. Louis Sullivan, former Secretary of Health and Human Services serves as keynote speaker

ORLANDO, Fla. (PRWEB) February 05, 2018

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) will host the 16th annual Black History Luncheon on February 15th at Marriott Downtown Orlando beginning at 11:30 a.m. More than 350 will attend, including hosts Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Eatonville Mayor Edie Cole, president and CEO of UNCF Michael L. Lomax and former Secretary of Health and Human Resources and founding dean of Morehouse College Medical School, Dr. Louis Sullivan, who will deliver the keynote address. Several business, civic and education leaders that support UNCF's work in getting students to and through college will also be in attendance.

Benefiting HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities), UNCF aims to change the narrative of HBCUs across the nation by equipping minority students with the resources necessary to transition into college and ultimately the workforce.

"We invite all members of the Orlando community to join us as we raise money to send deserving young people to college," said Anita Henri, regional development director, UNCF. "Everyone who believes that ‘A mind is a terrible thing to waste®' should attend, as we inspire and empower our young people to secure passports to opportunity by way of obtaining a college degree."

With the help of the Orlando community, $301,585 in scholarships were awarded to Orlando students last year. And now, with the release of UNCF's new publication, HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, we know graduates from these HBCUs contributed $833 million to the total economic impact and over 7,817 jobs in total employment impact to the state of Florida.

"Events such as the Orlando Black History Month Luncheon, stress the importance of HBCUs," said Michael L. Lomax. "HBCUs not only provide a college education for 300,000 students every year, but they are a powerful economic engine: locally, through the jobs they create and the expenditures they make in the cities where they are located, and nationally, through the students they educate and prepare for an information-age workforce."

The luncheon is chaired by Sandra Jeter. The sponsor of the VIP reception is Orlando Health. Major Luncheon sponsors, include JP Morgan Chase, AT&T, Suntrust and many other corporations have also sponsored. For more information or to purchase a ticket, which are $100, please call Jazmine Barnes at 407.896.6940.

Unable to attend, but want to make a difference in student's life? Text UNCFORL to 50555. To stay connected to UNCF throughout the year, please visit: http://www.uncf.org/orlando

Follow this event @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.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2018/02/prweb15170283.htm