Contacts: Vivian King, 414-899-3027
Michelle Crockett, 414-510-8323
Milwaukee Urban League to Host 31st Annual Black & White Ball, Featuring National Recording Artists Tony Toni Tone’
Once Upon a Time Theme Highlights League History and Special Rolex Auction Item
Milwaukee, May 20, 2016 – The Milwaukee Urban League (MUL) is pleased to announce its 31st Annual Black and White Ball, to be held on Saturday, June 11 at the Wisconsin Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee. Themed Once Upon a Time, the League’s largest fundraiser will feature national rhythm and blues recording artists of the 80s and 90s, Tony, Toni Tone’, historical facts and photos of the Milwaukee Urban League and an opportunity to bid on a Rolex watch donated by Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers. The honorary co-chairs of this year’s event are business and community leaders John and Irma Daniels and Dr. Nick and Kathy Turkal. They lead a list of 21 major sponsors and a host of table sponsors, as the event is expected to attract more than 800 of Milwaukee’s most notable corporate, civic and community supporters.
“I am looking forward to this year’s Black & White Ball, but it will be bittersweet,” said Milwaukee Urban League President and CEO, Ralph Hollmon, who will retire at the end of the year. “This will be my last Ball as president of the League, so it is poignant to look back at all we’ve accomplished over the years, but we must continue to build on that foundation. The community support we receive through this event is crucial to continuing our work to increase graduation rates, decrease unemployment rates and promote the entrepreneurial strength that comes from vibrant and diverse businesses. Our community will always be measured by how we take care of those who need us the most.”
The crowd at this year’s ball will be treated to sounds from The Larry Moore Trio during the opening champagne reception and D.J. Phil Anderson during the post-ball reception. There will be roving selfie-stations whose pictures may end up on a live Twitter feed during the event when guests use the event hashtag #TMULBALL2016. Individual tickets and tables are still available for the Black & White Ball and can be purchased by contacting Tresa Malone at 414-374-5850 ext. 121 or tmalone@tmul.org.
The Black & White Ball thanks its 21 Major Sponsors, which match the record-breaking number in 2015: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Associated Bank, Aurora Health Care, BMO Harris Bank, BMO Harris Bradley Center, Brewers Community Foundation, Forest County Potawatomi Foundation, Harley-Davidson Foundation, JP Morgan Chase Foundation, KS Energy Services, ManpowerGroup, MillerCoors, Milwaukee Business Journal, Northwestern Mutual, Rockwell Automation, Time Warner Cable, U.S. Bank, United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS), UPS, We Energies and We Energies Foundation.
About the Urban League
Founded in 1910, the National Urban League movement strives to enable African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights.