— Community leaders, educators, elected officials and supporters of higher education will gather March 21 for one of Columbus’ premier philanthropic events as UNCF Columbus hosts the 2026 UNCF Columbus Mayor’s Masked Ball at the Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center.
The annual gala, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at 801 Front Ave., serves as a major fundraising effort supporting scholarships for students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Hosted by Columbus Mayor B.H. “Skip” Henderson and his wife, Karon Henderson, the signature event raises critical financial support to help students across Georgia access and complete higher education.
Honoring Community Impact
During the evening, UNCF Columbus will present its highest recognition, the M.A.S.K.E.D. Award, honoring individuals whose leadership and commitment to education have made a lasting impact on the community.
This year’s honorees include:
UNCF Columbus will also recognize Yvette Gregory as Volunteer of the Year for her continued commitment and service supporting the organization’s mission and student success initiatives.
Legendary Entertainment Featured
Providing entertainment for the evening will be legendary entertainer Larry Dodson, longtime original lead singer of the iconic funk and soul band The Bar-Kays.
Dodson served as the band’s frontman for 47 years, helping shape generations of R&B, funk and soul music. With millions of records sold worldwide and numerous gold and platinum hits, he continues to deliver high-energy performances to audiences across the country.
Supporting Educational Opportunity
Organizers have set a fundraising goal of $250,000, which will directly support scholarships, mentorship opportunities and academic resources for deserving students.
UNCF officials say community participation remains essential to expanding educational opportunities and developing future leaders.
Sponsorship opportunities range from $1,000 to $50,000, while individual tickets are available for $150.
For sponsorship information or tickets, contact Patricia Eldridge, campaign coordinator, at 706-575-5372 or palael1030@aol.com, or Justine Boyd, assistant vice president for UNCF, at Justine.boyd@uncf.org. Additional information is available at UNCF.org/ColumbusMMB.
About UNCF Founded in 1944, the United Negro College Fund is one of the nation’s largest supporters of higher education and a leading advocate for college-bound students. The organization has raised more than $6 billion to support scholarships and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities.
Each year, UNCF awards more than 11,000 scholarships totaling over $62 million to students attending more than 600 colleges and universities nationwide, including 37 UNCF-member institutions.
UNCF’s longstanding mission is captured in its nationally recognized motto: “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”
