UNCF South Florida mayor’s lunch raises more than $100k

The 12th annual luncheon held on Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, welcomed Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief as keynote speaker.
Broward County Schools Superintendent Robert W. Runcie described the challenges that face African American students as they try to improve test scores and academic results to compare more favorably with white, Asian and Hispanic students in Broward County.
The funds put students on the road to college as well as assist them during their endeavors.
“Ensuring our young people are prepared for college, and the support they need to succeed once they get there is more important than ever if we are to be competitive in today’s economy,” said Michael L. Lomax, UNCF present and CEO. “Investing in out students’ futures will pay dividends for all of us as they become the leaders of the 21st century.”
Sharief, Runcie, Florida Memorial Student Michael Williams and Edward Waters College President Nathaniel Glover all spoke with passion about the challenges they faced attempting to navigate, and ultimately succeed, in their higher education pursuits.
The UNCF South Florida Mayor’s Luncheon is presented statewide by Florida Blue, AT&T and Wells Fargo. The luncheon was initiated with the support of then-Governor Jeb Bush, and is one of four in the state along with events in Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville.
Checks for UNCF scholarships were presented by Ocean Bank and AutoNation. The Florida Memorial University student Jazz Ensemble led by Professor Melton Mustafa entertained more than 250 guests that included several of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Bobby DuBose, representatives from Broward Sheriff’s Office and members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and the Links Inc. of Fort Lauderdale.
UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country.