around the region “More than any city in the country, the D.C. area’s high technology, information-age businesses and government agencies depend on a diverse pipeline of college-educated workers. Every company and organization that supports this inaugural UNCF Masked Ball is helping fill that pipeline and investing in better futures for students, the community and the economy.” – UNCF President and CEO Michael L. Lomax FUND continued from Page 8 ey for UNCF. African-American philanthropists have really stepped up to allow another generation of African Americans to get an education.” UNCF Regional Development Director Meta Renee Williams said she expects the D.C. version of the ball to be “the bomb.” “We hope our sister cities do well, but let’s be clear: Our Masked Ball can be second to no one,” she said with a laugh and mock-seriousness. Jenkins said guests should prepare to have fun. “In Atlanta, we raised $1.2 million in this recession era,” he said. “It’s dancing, it’s a party. A large number of celebrities will be coming in and we will try to get a lot of local celebrities. It’s a great big party with people of note.” Williams said the UNCF manages 400 different scholarships for students who attend 900 universities across the U.S. This includes scholarships and a campaign for emergency student assistance which since 2009 has offered $17 million in grants to graduating seniors as well as those who owed a balance to begin a new semester. “When students call us, it’s usually the last resort,” she said. Program Manager David Ray agreed. “It’s a high-stress time for managers. We hear stories,” he said. “Not only are you the manager, some of us are fathers and mothers. It’s nice to be in a pivotal position to see the impact on young people.” Lomax said a college education is more important now than ever, especially because those seeking employment no longer have the option of working in steel mills or “finding a job with Mr. Ford.” At one time, high school diplomas were the minimum entry requirement to a well-paying job, he said. That is
no more, as students now have to have a college degree to even get a foot in the door. That’s where the UNCF comes in. The organization plays a crucial role in linking low-income students to education by providing 60,000 students with the money they need to finance their educations through 400 scholarship programs. In the Washington metropolitan area, the UNCF has awarded about $100 million in scholarships and internship programs to 13,000 students at Georgetown, George Washington University and elsewhere. Over the past 70 years, Lomax said, the UNCF has raised $3 billion to fund scholarships and the organization places a lot of emphasis on raising the money needed to assist students. “We’re supporting students everywhere,” Lomax said. Lomax said he envisions the UNCF becoming the go-to organization on all things educational. He said officials plan to work closely with Mayor Vincent Gray, Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson, university officials and others who operate in the education arena in Washington. Also of importance, he noted, is being close to Congress to lobby members on issues of concern to UNCF. “More than any city in the country, the D.C. area’s high technology, information-age businesses and government agencies depend on a diverse pipeline of college-educated workers,” Lomax said. “Every company and organization that supports this inaugural UNCF Masked Ball is helping fill that pipeline and investing in better futures for students, the community and the economy.” “The work we do in Washington is so very important,” he added. “We’re making the case for a college education for African-American students. We’re going to take everything we know to make this happen.” wi
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This Week’s Top Online Story: NAACP Suggests President Obama Appoint a Black Woman to the Supreme Court President Obama, in his second term, still has several more appointments to make. They include an appointment to the highest court in the land, and Ben Jealous, president of the NAACP, has recommended that a young black female be appointed.
State Board of Education and the State Schools Superintendent if an end is not put to the practice of under-serving Latino students.
Health: Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy during Winter Winter storms and cold temperatures can be hazardous, but if you plan ahead, you can stay safe and healthy. This includes preparing for power outages and checking on the elderly.
International: City in Egypt Erupts in Chaos over Sentences Egypt’s new government has lost control of a major city, Port Said, as angry soccer fans attacked the main jail, drove police officers from the streets and cut off all access to the city.
Life and Style: Tina Turner to Give Up U.S. Citizenship The 73-year-old legendary singer, who has lived abroad since the early 1990s, is reportedly in the process of swapping out her American passport to become a Swiss citizen.
Results from last week’s Poll Question: Are armed guards needed in the nation’s public schools? 58 percent No 31 percent Yes 11 percent Maybe
National: ACLU Threatens to Sue California over Under-served Students The ACLU in California announced recently that it will file a lawsuit against the
New Poll Question: Was DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson’s decision to shutter several schools necessary? Go to Washingtoninformer.com to cast your vote!
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IS NOW ENROLLING Early Childhood Academy Public Charter School (ECA) is currently
enrolling students in prek-3 through grade three for school year 2013 – 2014. ECA is a free, public charter school located in SE Washington, DC and open to all DC residents. ECA offers a holistic program for young children, with a strong emphasis on language and literacy, math reasoning, and social/emotional development. ECA also offers special subjects, including Spanish, physical education, general music, and instruction in violin, viola, cello, and xylophone. .
Open enrollment will be held from Friday, February 1, 2013- Friday, March 15, 2013. A lottery will be held if enrollment exceeds spaces available. For more information, visit the ECA website at www.ecapcs.org or call the school at 202-373-0035.
The Washington Informer
Jan. 31, 2013 - Feb. 6, 2013
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