(Black PR Wire) More than $300,000 was raised at the recent UNCF “A Mind Is…” Hamptons Summer Benefit, hosted by UNCF New York. Derek Jones, managing director, GMC Grosvenor Private Markets; Cathy Hughes, founder and chairperson, Radio One; and Reginald Hudlin, president, Hudlin Entertainment, were honored with the “Keepers of the Flame” award for being champions of diversity and education.

More than 300 guests attended the Aug. 6-7 benefit weekend events, held at the private residences of Nancy Silberkleit, co-CEO of Archie Comics, and Bill and Diane Plummer. Karen Hunter, SiriusXM radio talk show host, was mistress of ceremonies. Mayor Lovely Warren of Rochester also attended. Dr. Michael Lomax, UNCF president and CEO, delivered remarks on UNCF’s impact in the state of New York and the importance of community support.

“Where else can you come together to help send kids to college in such elegant surroundings,” said Lomax. “With the generosity of all of you—our community—UNCF has invested almost $2 million in college scholarships for New York students and millions of dollars in cash support and assistance for our 37 member HBCUs and the almost 1,300 New York students who attend them.”

In its 72-year history, UNCF has raised more than $4.5 billion to support minority students’ quest for better futures. Events such as these are made possible by the admirable support of community and corporate partners such as this year’s “A Mind Is…” Hamptons Summer Benefit platinum sponsors, Siris Capital Group, LLC, and Frank Baker, Peter Berger and Jeff Hendren. Additional sponsors included The Lincoln Motor Company, GCM Grosvenor, Grain Management, LLC, Robert Smith, Investors Bank, Derek Jones, Advent Capital Management, LLC, Combs Enterprises, Palladium Equity Partners and Wellness Interactive.

SiriusXM, World Bride Magazine, The Independent and WEAA 88.9 FM served as the media partners for this prestigious event.

“The status and the money that I have been blessed with in this life…is so I can reach back and help some other black children who are just like me,” said Hughes. “That’s the story of UNCF—you reach back.”

The electrifying weekend included a VIP brunch with an exclusive Resort 2017 fashion preview by designer Carlton Jones, silent auction, entertainment by Yotoco and student testimonials from UNCF scholars Ahmaad Dent (Morehouse College, 2018) and Syndi Falconer (Clark Atlanta University, 2016).

To view images of this event, visit UNCF Hamptons Summer Benefit.

Follow the New York office of UNCF: @uncfNY

About UNCF
UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 21 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. 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 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, "ŸA mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.