Star-Studded Evening at the Skirball Cultural Center Raises $320,000 for Scholarships and Student Success (Photo Credit: Earl Gibson III)
LOS ANGELES, CA — UNCF Los Angeles welcomed more than 450 corporate partners, educators, faith leaders and community influencers to the 2026 Masked Ball at the Skirball Cultural Center, raising $320,000 in support of scholarships and programs that help students get to and through college.
Hosted by actress Dawnn Lewis and KTLA’s Melvin Robert, the signature gala blended elegance, entertainment and urgency — reinforcing UNCF’s 81-year commitment to strengthening historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and empowering the next generation of leaders.
Photo Credit: Karim Saafir, Courtesy of UNCF/FrontPage Firm
Celebrity and distinguished guests included Anthony Anderson, Rocsi Diaz, Anderson.Paak, Mario, Demetria McKinney, Denyse Lawton, Torrei Hart, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, State Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, Kim Coles, Valeisha Butterfield, Greg Dulan, Billy Mitchell, Michelle Gaskill-Hames, Schelle Purcell, Tabitha Brown, Chance Brown, Monica Sudduth, Ray Cunningham, UNCF President & CEO Dr. Michael Lomax, and Dr. Veda Ramsay-Stamps who leads the Los Angeles work for UNCF.
In remarks during the program, Dr. Lomax underscored the urgency of sustained investment in higher education and reaffirmed UNCF’s steadfast commitment to ensuring students are not denied opportunity due to financial barriers.
“UNCF is back in Los Angeles — and we’re back with purpose. This city is home for me, and I know firsthand the power of a transformative educational experience. HBCUs changed my life, and today they are stronger, larger, and more impactful than ever in preparing young people to realize their dreams and their God-given talents. At 82 years strong, UNCF is raising more funds and supporting more students than at any point in our history — adding another $250 million this year alone,” said Lomax.
“But the work continues. The young people of Southern California deserve access to the world-class opportunities HBCUs provide — pathways to economic mobility, leadership, and legacy. With the continued support of this community, we will keep building, keep growing, and keep investing in our students — because a mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in.”
Grace in motion, purpose in every step. A breathtaking performance at the UNCF Masked Ball — where artistry 
Star power and purpose on one carpet. Anthony Anderson, Rocsi Diaz, Tabitha Brown, and Chance Brown lighting up the UNCF Masked Ball — celebrating excellence, legacy, and investing in the future through education. Photo Credit: Karim Saafir, Courtesy of UNCF/FrontPage Firm 
Anderson .Paak brings star power to the UNCF Masked Ball — where culture, class, and commitment to education shine just as bright. Photo Credit: Earl Gibson, III, Courtesy of UNCF/FrontPage Firm 
UNCF leadership — Dr. Michael Lomax, Dr. Veda Ramsay-Stamps, Kathi Barber and Ray Cunningham, joined by actress Demetria McKinney (center) at the UNCF Los Angeles Masked Ball, celebrating an evening dedicated to investing in students and strengthening the legacy of HBCUs. Photo Credit: Karim Saafir, Courtesy of UNCF/FrontPage Firm 
Greg Dulan- Restaurateur 
Kim Coles- Actress, Comedian, Executive Director Photo Credit: Karim Saafir, Courtesy of UNCF/FrontPage Firm 
Mario-R&B Singer/Songwriter Photo Credit: Karim Saafir,Courtesy of UNCF/FrontPage Firm 
Schelle Purcell-Actress, Writer/Director Photo Credit: Earl Gibson, III, Courtesy of UNCF/FrontPage Firm 
Monica Sudduth-Regional Development Director/UNCF Photo Credit: Earl Gibson, III, Courtesy of UNCF/FrontPage Firm 
Torrei Hart-Actress, Film Producer Photo Credit: Earl Gibson, III, Courtesy of UNCF/FrontPage Firm 
Denyce Lawton-Actress, Model Photo Credit: Earl Gibson, III, Courtesy of UNCF/FrontPage Firm 
Billy Mitchell, Jazz Musician & Producer
2026 Masked Ball Honorees
The evening recognized leaders whose impact spans culture, business, healthcare and philanthropy:
- Anderson .Paak, Grammy Award-Winning Artist and Producer
- Tabitha Brown and Chance Brown, Founders of Tab+Chance
- Valeisha Butterfield, Founder of SEED Media and Global State of Women
- Greg Dulan, Owner of Dulan’s on Crenshaw
- Michelle Gaskill-Hames, President of Kaiser Permanente Southern California & Hawaii
- Billy Mitchell, Jazz Musician and Producer
In heartfelt acceptance remarks, honorees reflected on the power of education and collective responsibility.
“To be standing here tonight being honored by the United Negro College Fund, an institution that has opened doors, built futures, and changed the trajectory of generations is something I don’t take lightly. I want to say thank you for seeing value in the work that I do and for welcoming me into a legacy of change makers.
UNCF, you continue to open otherwise closed doors and invest in the future of our youth. Your mission and work remind us all of our responsibility and inspire me to give back. Thank you for your commitment to keeping the doors of some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the country open and accessible for our youth.”
“We’re from Eden, North Carolina, and neither of us graduated from college. So when we were told we’d be honored, we looked at each other and said, ‘They know we didn’t graduate, right?’ But what we’ve learned is that even if you don’t hold a certain title, you still hold a position in this world. The work you do just by showing up — for children, for family, for your community — it matters. If you don’t have money, you always have time, and sometimes that’s enough to change a life.
We’re grateful to the United Negro College Fund for seeing us, and we promise to keep leading by example, pouring into the next generation, and sending some good kids to these HBCUs. And remember — even if you can’t have a good day, don’t you dare mess up nobody else’s.”
“I stand here as a proud third-generation daughter of HBCU graduates from Hampton, Shaw, Meharry, and North Carolina Central; and as someone whose dreams were once questioned. As a shy young woman from Wilson, North Carolina, I shared my goal of becoming a music executive and was told it would never happen. But when you have a dream, you have to know that what you feel is real. The seed planted in you is purpose.
UNCF and the HBCU community helped nurture that purpose, from my time at Clark Atlanta University to my career in music, tech, and beyond. I want every young person, and every parent supporting them, to know that their dreams are valid, even if the path looks different than expected. The journey may require sacrifice, but it is worth it. I’m deeply grateful to UNCF not only for this honor, but for the community that makes our success possible — because none of us does it alone.”
Dr. Ramsay-Stamps, Regional Development Director for UNCF Los Angeles, reminded guests that the Masked Ball is more than a celebration — it is a call to action to remove systemic barriers and invest directly in student success.
The evening also featured student testimonials and vibrant entertainment, including a high-energy after-party performance by Mario.
With the support of the Los Angeles community, UNCF awarded $60 million last year in scholarships and programs for UNCF-member HBCUs and other colleges and universities. The 2026 Masked Ball continues that legacy — transforming generosity into tangible opportunity for students across the region and the nation.
For more information about UNCF Los Angeles, visit https://uncf.org/local-offices/losangeles.
SheisSincerelyB 