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Atlanta’s 33rd Annual Mayor’s Masked Ball Raises 1.1 Million for United Negro College Fund

Written By: Kanta Cadogan

Local News

Atlanta’s 33rd Annual Mayor’s Masked Ball Raises 1.1 Million for United Negro College Fund

Growing up I was told “it is always better to give than to receive”.  Well, that’s exactly what happened at the 33rd annual UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball Atlanta.  It raised over 1.1 million dollars and of those funds Future, Tyrese Gibson, Jeezy and Usher Raymond each made a $25,000.00 donation.  
In my opinion, African American male celebrities are not spotlighted and or celebrated for the positive things they do nationally. Their often times only spotlighted for negativity. Therefore, I personally want to take the time to say ” I see you men of excellence and I appreciate you”.  In addition, I want to say thank you to all who made a contribution.  All proceeds will afford countless young men and women scholarships towards their college education.  

UNCF is the nations’ largest and most effective minority education organization. The UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball Atlanta is a premier fundraising gala and major social event that aims to raise social awareness of the need and benefits of a college education.

This fabulous and prestigious event brought out The Who’s who…such as Ambassador Andrew Young (Civil Rights Activist) Usher Raymond, Tyrese Gibson, Future, Jeezy, Dr. Jackie Walters (Married to Medicine), Egypt Sherrod (Property Virgins), Angie Stone, Vashawn Mitchell, Phaedra Parks (Real Housewives of Atlanta), Reece Odom (Saints and Sinners) and many more civic leaders, dignitaries, celebrities, volunteers and friends of UNCF.

The night was spectacular with loads of fun which included but not limited to the ambiance, the beautiful men and women that graced the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, an amazing cuisine, great energy, successful silent auction and financial contributions, stunning masked parade, Tyrese’s moving speech of the importance of giving and using your prominent influence for good and the hilarious MC of the evening Jay Anthony Brown (Comedian). Not to mention  a notable performance  from one of the living legends Sheila E.   She gave us life and tore the house down with her buzz worthy performance. 

The amazing UNCF Mayor’s  Masked Ball Atlanta committee Kasim Reed (Atlanta’s Mayor), Michael L. Lomax, PHD (President and CEO, UNCF), Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr. (Executive Vice President National Development, UNCF), Justine Boyd (Regional Development Director, UNCF), Donta Wilson (Honorary Co-Chair) and Brannigan Thompson (Honorary Co-Chair).  Without these beautiful souls and other sponsors, the UNCF Mayor’s  Masked Ball Atlanta would not be possible. Thank you so much for showcasing black excellence!

It’s never too late to make a contribution into the lives of our future leaders. There is no dollar amount too small. It  all counts. Be the difference in a young man or woman’s life today. Please visit www.uncf.org to learn more. 

“A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste but a Wonderful Thing to Invest in”.~UNCF 

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img_3319 img_3322 img_3325 img_3328 img_3329 img_3334 img_3335 img_3339 img_3348 img_3350 img_3352 img_3358 img_3359  img_3403 img_3410 img_3435 img_3438 img_3443 img_3453 img_3463 img_3466 img_3476 img_3481 img_3488 img_3493 img_3502 img_3513 img_3518 Mayor Kasim Reed and Tyrese J Anthony Brown img_3547 USHER img_3598 img_3605  img_3620 img_3622 img_3674 img_3713 img_3716   img_3810

Celebrity photographer and disabled Vietnam veteran Jerome Dorn embodies the very definition of resilience. Born in Philadelphia, the fifth of seven children, Dorn stayed focused throughout his youth, eventually obtaining his degree in Criminal Justice. Dorn has worked with the Philadelphia Police Department, Department of Justice, World Wide Detective Agency, and several other high profile security groups. Throughout his successful career, Dorn wrestled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, an aftereffect of his military service. Battling the pain and debilitating effect of PTSD, Dorn found comfort behind the camera. Photography proved to be not only therapeutic, but life changing as well. Dorn picked up his first camera in 1970 while serving in Vietnam and knew instantly that behind the lens was where he belonged. His shooting style and photographs were special, generating a buzz in the industry. In 1985, he began his career in photojournalism, working in a variety of genres. Dorn’s credentials include fashion, lifestyle photography, photojournalism, and celebrity/red carpet coverage. Working with MSNBC, Jet Magazine, and major publications in Philadelphia and around the country, Dorn has had the honor of capturing the images of hundreds of notable celebrities and politicians including President Barack Obama, George Bush Jr, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Maya Angelou, Jesse Jackson, Rihanna, Snoop Dog, Will Smith, and Tyler Perry. Photography has sent Dorn around the globe, inspiring his passion for civil activism. In 1995, Dorn assembled and led a group of forty-two men to the Million Man March. Together, they spent five days walking from Philadelphia to Washington DC. In his travels, Dorn observed a common theme amongst the youth of the world. Many of the children he encountered seemed lost. Understanding that opportunities for at-risk youth are minimal, Dorn was inspired to make a difference. Established by Dorn in 2011, InDaHouseMedia was built on the idea that there is room in the house for everyone. With InDaHouseMedia, Dorn’s mission is to provide the future generation with positive direction through sports, music, and photography.

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