D.C.’s civic, business and education notables gathered March 27 as the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) held its annual Masked Ball, this year celebrating the UNCF’s seven decades of service in the name of Blacks in higher education.
For Debbi Jarvis, PEPCO Holdings’ vice president of corporate citizenship and responsibility, and her husband Ernie Jarvis of First Potomac Realty, the D.C. ball, which the couple co-chair, marks a key moment for African Americans in higher education.
“Attaining a college degree is still the great equalizer and in these tough economic times as college costs continue to skyrocket minority students need help,” Jarvis said of the UNCF masked balls held in 14 cities each spring as a national fundraiser for the UNCF.
The D.C. ball was held at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium near the National Mall. “We were thrilled to serve as the Inaugural Co-Chairs of the Washington Masked Ball and to return for a second year to support this fabulous event,” said Jarvis. “PEPCO is a proud and longtime supporter of UNCF. Helping to ensure that African American students get a chance to attend college is an important investment that Pepco’s is making in the communities we serve.”
As one of the nation’s oldest and best known non-governmental sources of funds for Blacks in higher education, the UNCF is a key provider of higher education financial aid to minority students. PEPCO is a primary corporate sponsor of UNCF in the mid-Atlantic states.
On March 22, Delmarva Power—a subsidiary of PEPCO Holdings, Inc.—served as sponsors for the Delaware UNCF Masked Ball. Delmarva Power President Gary Stockbridge chaired the Delaware event.
Stockbridge said in a statement, “Delmarva Power is proud to join together with corporate donors and sponsors to help fortify the ranks of young African-American and Latino men and women in Delaware attain the goal of a higher education.”
