On Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the historic Hilton Milwaukee City Center, United Negro College Fund (UNCF) celebrated 80 years of empowering students and transforming the future during the 9th annual Milwaukee Mayor’s Masked Ball. This year’s event was Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s third year of serving as the ambassador for more than 400 guests. As part of the the ball UNCF honored Dr. Joan M. Prince, Vice President Emerita, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, with the MASKED Award for being an advocated for minorities and women and is a proud UNCF alumina. The Corporate Honoree this year was We Energies Foundation, which supports community and neighborhood development initiatives, health and human services, education, and the environment. Former UNCF Milwaukee Area Development Director Gloria J. Ricks, was recognized as the Legacy Honoree. Ricks catalyzed UNCF in Wisconsin and helped open UNCF’s first Milwaukee office in 1978. She retired after 33 years with UNCF. Her son and a longtime UNCF volunteer, Ruby Jackson, accepted the award on Gloria’s behalf.
Photos by Yvonne Kemp
Eleven young leaders and the 2024 Class of UNCF Milwaukee Masterminds were also honored. Congratulations to Kyle Ashley, Stacy T. Clark, Tim Cole, Amanda Evans, Harry Evans, Lauren Feaster, Rep. Kaylan Haywood, II, Ashley Hines, Contessa Lobley, Isioma Nwabuzor, and Oby Nwaybuzor.
Photos by Yvonne Kemp
This year’s honorary Masked Ball Chair was Ophelia T. King of Milwaukee Public Schools, joining Fred Mitchell, Vice-President of Development, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest Divisions UNCF and Christal Stinson, Regional Development Director. Emcees for the evening were WISN 12 anchors/reporters Gerron Jordan (Howard University alum) and Diana Gutierrez.
