'A Mind Is . . .' Benefit This Weekend
- Nicole Teitler
- Aug 3, 2016
- 3 min read
Photo by Mike the Law
The UNCF's (United Negro College Fund) fifth annual "A Mind Is . . ." Hamptons Summer Benefit will be held this Saturday and Sunday at the private home of Nancy Silberkleit, co-CEO of Archie Comics. The benefit's goal is to help students achieve higher education. Over 300 UNCF supporters are expected to congregate for the cause. The Keepers of the Flame Award is presented to individuals who support the educational system and encourage dreams for developmental knowledge. This year UNCF's CEO and president, Dr. Michael L Lomax, will give the Keepers of the Flame Award to Reginald Hudlin, president of Hudlin Entertainment; Cathy Hughes, founder and chair or Radio One; and Derek Jones, managing director of GCM Grosvenor Private Markets. The "A Mind Is . . . " benefit began five years ago after members on the UNCF leadership council in New York City suggested bringing an event to the East End. With many spending their summers out in The Hamptons, it was time to bring something to the area that engaged the community. Mistress of ceremonies for the two-day event will be SiriusXM radio talk show host Karen Hunter.
On Saturday guests can enjoy a VIP reception beginning at 5 PM. Starting at 6 PM, the program includes a designer Carlton Jones fashion show preview for Resort 2017, a silent auction, and entertainment by Yotoco. Scholarship recipient Ahmaad Dent, a rising junior student from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, will be guest speaking at the event. He will discuss his experience with the UNCF and the benefits the organization provides. On Sunday the festivities continue with a VIP brunch from 11 AM to 2 PM hosted by Bill and Dianne Plummer and Errol and Paula Taylor. The benefits of UNCF are growing. This year the organization has worked with local communities in Sag Harbor and East Hampton. Through their presence in local churches and schools in the area, the organization discusses the advantages of attending one of the 37 UNCF institutions around the country. Educating students about the college preparation assistance available to them and how to apply for scholarships is a priority. Since its inception in 1944 UNCF has raised over $4.5 billion in support of minority students securing better futures. Last year the event raised more than $140,000 for New York students. Fred Mitchell, VP of Development, expressed his enthusiasm. "We are proud to do this event in East Hampton and honored our host Nancy has agreed to host for the second straight year. We want this event to grow and we're really excited about the opportunity." Corporate partners this year include The Lincoln Motor Company, Grain, Investors Bank and Palladium. Committee Members include Virginia Arrington, A. Scott Bolden, Leonard Burnett, Gerald Chen-Young, Lawrence P. Dunlap, Dr. Warachal Faison, Eileen A. Frank, Djena Graves Lennix, Renae Griffin, Eric Harley, Cheryl Hill, Michelle Joiner, Myrdith Leon-McCormack, Bruce Lincoln, Jessica Mackin-Cipro, Joyce Mullin-Jackson, Louis Myrick, Johnny and Anne Parham, Dianne E. Plummer, Dee Rivera, Pamela S. Robertson, Ronald Scoon, Nancy Silberkleit, Marita Starvou, Tyese Styles, Carra Wallace, Desiree Watson, and Michael I. Williams. Tickets start at $125. Call 212-820-0140 or visit the UNCF website to purchase yours. You can follow more stories from Nicole Teitler on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat as Nikki On The Daily.