Soul crooner Johnny Gill, who came to fame via New Edition and his superior vocal performances, will perform at the United Negro College Fund’s 32nd annual Mayor’s Masked Ball on Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta.
The four-time Grammy nominated singer will join a cornucopia of celebrities and dignitaries attending the exclusive soiree, including Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and UNCF President and CEO Michael Lomax.
The honorary co-chairs of this year’s gala are: Shan Cooper, the vice president and general manager at Marietta of Lockheed- Martin Aeronautics Company in suburban Atlanta, and Jack Sawyer, president of the Southeast region of Wilmington Trust.
The Mayor’s Masked Ball is one of the signature fundraising events for the UNCF, the nation’s largest and most effective organization dedicated to raising money for minority college students.
The annual fundraising gala will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a VIP Masked Award Reception, Silent Holiday Auction, Red Carpet Parade of Stars and Dignitaries, Elegant Dining, Parade of Masks, dancing and live entertainment by Gill.
The Mayor’s Masked Ball which began in 1983 is the creation of Billye Aaron, wife of baseball legend Hank Aaron, and Ambassador Andrew Young. The Ball is hosted by the city’s current mayor and is largely supported by local corporate and civic entities. A much anticipated holiday event that raises unrestricted dollars for UNCF’s support for local students, the Ball attracts a diverse array of attendees from across the area, including local celebrities, dignitaries, civic and elected officials.
Currently a solo artist, Johnny Gill as a musician, songwriter and singer was a member of R&B groups New Edition and LSG along with Keith Sweat and the late Gerald Levert. He is perhaps best known for his self-titled 1990 Motown album produced by mega producing duos LA Reid and Baby Face and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis that delivered hits like “My, My,My” and “Rub You The Right Way” and reached No. 1 on the top 100 R&B albums. While Gill was with New Edition, their hit song “Can You Stand The Rain” reached No. 1 on the R&B charts.
Marquis Sponsors of the 2015 UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball are: The Coca Cola Co., Delta Air Lines and UPS. Tickets may be purchased on line at www.uncf.org or call 404 302-8623.
About the 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 20 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 900 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 www.UNCF.org.
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