Mayor Scott and representatives from the United Negro College Fund, Coppin State and Morgan State universities, also announced plans for Mayor's Masked Ball fundraiser set for May 2023.

BALTIMORE, MD (Friday, September 23, 2022) - Today, with a special nod to the 2022 National HBCU Week, Mayor Brandon M. Scott welcomed representatives from Baltimore's two historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) - Coppin State University and Morgan State University - for the declaration of HBCU Day in Baltimore. Joined by school leaders, students and city employees wearing paraphernalia from their HBCU alma maters, Mayor Scott presented proclamations to the schools during a ceremony at City Hall's Executive Ceremonial Room.

During the ceremony, Mayor Scott also announced his plans to host Baltimore's first Mayor's Masked Ball, a popular black-tie event hosted by United Negro College Fund (UNCF) in cities across the country including Atlanta, New Orleans, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. The Mayor's Masked Ball is designed to raise funds to

"We are extremely excited to work with the UNCF to bring this event to the City of Baltimore and support efforts to ensure that our students get access to resources to help with their academic pursuits," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "I have heard great things about this event from my fellow mayors, and I'm committed to making sure that the Baltimore event is the best UNCF Mayor's Masked Ball ever."

Incorporated on April 25, 1944, the UNCF has raised more than $5 billion to help more than 500,000 students - many of whom are the first in their families to go to college - earn their degrees. Notable UNCF scholarship recipients include civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., former U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, renowned film director Spike Lee and former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher.

During the 2020-2021 academic year, the UNCF awarded $1,689,733 in scholarships to 341 students from the state of Maryland who were studying at schools locally as well as throughout the country, including Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland at College Park, Morehouse, Morgan State University, Spelman College, Morehouse College and Howard University.

With its rich history and cultural significance, UNCF Development Director Harry Christian, III, believes Baltimore is an ideal city to host a Mayor's Masked Ball.

"We know that there are so many HBCU alumni in Baltimore and philanthropically-minded people who understand the importance of investing in the lives of young people," said Christian. "We applaud Mayor Scott's decision to not just host this historic event here in Baltimore, but to use his authority and position as mayor to galvanize the business, religious and community influencers in this city to come together to support HBCUs and the students they serve."

The first Baltimore Mayor's Masked Ball will take place at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor on Saturday, May 6, 2023. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Harry Christian III at (202) 810-0333 or by email at harry.christian@uncf.org.