By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO
kmcneir@afro.com
With the assistance of individuals like Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) remains committed to transforming the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across Baltimore City
On Saturday, Nov. 1, beginning with a 7 p.m. reception, UNCF will return its fundraising event, the 3rd Annual Baltimore Masked Ball, to Charm City.
The goal of the event, beyond raising funds, is to increase awareness of the needs and benefits of a college education, the students UNCF serves, and the contributions of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
“Baltimore is home to the best HBCUs in the country and thanks to our partners at UNCF, we’re making sure all our young people have financial support to help them get an education at these world-class institutions,” said Scott, who will be a special guest at the Masked Ball. “In turn, our Morgan and Coppin alumni – along with other HBCU graduates – are using their talents and skills to build a stronger, safer Baltimore for those to come.”
Honorary chairs for the celebratory event include Dr. David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University, and Dr. Anthony Jenkins, president of Coppin State University, who will be joined by a diverse group of corporate and civil leaders, local business owners, HBCU alumni and friends of UNCF.
Dr. Jenkins said the evening is important for a myriad of reasons.
“Events like the Baltimore Masked Ball are more than just celebrations; they are vital opportunities to highlight the transformative power of Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” he said.
“For Coppin State University, these gatherings amplify our commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and the cultivation of future leaders,” he continued. “HBCUs have never been more essential than they are today, serving as beacons of opportunity, innovation and cultural pride for generations past, present and future.
Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF president and CEO, agreed with Dr. Jenkins’ observations in a recent report, “Why HBCUs Still Matter.”
“HBCUs have long been pillars of education, opportunity, and progress,” Lomax wrote. “However, beyond their historical significance, HBCUs remain relevant today, not just as academic institutions, but also as powerful economic engines that drive career success and community development. HBCUs continue to provide students with the support and resources needed to build financially secure futures and excel in careers that impact society.”
Lomax noted that “HBCUs serve only about 3 percent of college students in the U.S., yet they produce nearly 16 percent of all Black U.S. graduates from these institutions and are responsible for 18 percent of graduates in STEM fields.”
“These numbers tell a clear story,” he said. “HBCUs consistently deliver outsized results, particularly in preparing students for economically empowering careers.”
Two HBCU students, Daniel Parris, a senior at Coppin State University, and Naomi Madison, a sophomore at Morgan State University, will each deliver remarks during the program, which begins at 8 p.m., and represents their first time attending the event.
“My grandparents and parents attended HCBUs – Hampton, Virginia Union, and Jackson State – so I am part of a family tradition,” said Daniel Parris, 20, a native Washingtonian and a psychology major who received a full scholarship at Coppin State.
“HBCUs are often described in negative terms, partly because people don’t understand African American culture. But at HBCUS, the faculty and students know what it means to grow up Black in America – we face the same struggles and often share similar life experiences,” said Parris. “For me, I finally began to understand who I am after coming to Coppin State and I’m still learning. But I know I will be ready to face the real world when I graduate.”
Despite only being a sophomore at Morgan State, Naomi Madison, a native of Wichita, Kansas, has already found her niche, working as a resident assistant in a girl’s freshman dormitory and working with Black Girls Vote on campus.
“I’m the first in my family to attend an HBCU – I wanted to be in a place where, as an Afro-Latina, I could connect with others from African backgrounds and cultures in pursuit of higher education,” said Madison, 19. “Morgan State was the perfect place for me because of the school’s resources, its proximity to Washington, D.C., and my interest in politics.
“I plan to go on to law school, but of course that could change,” she continued. “But I know that when I graduate, I’ll be prepared to serve as an advocate for my people and my community, perhaps in a public service role.”
For more information visit 2025 UNCF Baltimore Masked Ball or contact Tanya Sweeney at tanya.sweeney@uncf.org.
