FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 6/12/07

Media Contacts:    Stacey Gibbs                            Elyshia Carr
                          704-552-6565                          704-957-3162  
                          gibbs@lgapr.com          elyshia@kreativeplanning.com
 

Dr. Maya Angelou to salute five women during UNCF luncheon

Fifth anniversary highlights include first-ever lifetime achievement award, popular hat competition and high-end silent auction

(CHARLOTTE, NC – June 12, 2007)  Renowned poet Dr. Maya Angelou will spotlight the achievements of five women while raising scholarship money for deserving students during the fifth anniversary of the Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon, a fundraiser to benefit the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).  The event will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 23 at The Westin Charlotte (601 S. College St.).

“In its fifth year, the Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon has truly become a signature event for UNCF and the Charlotte region bringing together women of all ages and backgrounds with a common goal to help others,” says Carol Lily, president of Lil Associates and co-chair of the event.

During the luncheon, Dr. Angelou will present awards to the following 2007 honorees:  P.J. Benton, CEO, PJJD Enterprises; Gigi Dixon, senior vice president of national partnerships, Wachovia; Vi Lyles, project director, The Lee Institute and Cama McNamara, publisher, Today’s Charlotte Woman.  Sarah Belk Gambrell, philanthropist and community leader, will receive the inaugural Maya Angelou/Elizabeth Ross Dargan Lifetime Achievement Award. 

“This year’s honorees have a deep love for education and are fantastic examples of how passion and commitment can have a profound impact on our community and our world,” says Stacey Gibbs, senior account supervisor with Luquire George Andrews and co-chair of this year’s luncheon. “They are an inspiration to us all.”

Another highlight of the event is the popular “HAT-ti-tude” contest.  Many women—adorned in their favorite hats—compete to win prizes for the best and most unusual headpieces.  Last year, more than half of the event’s attendees wore hats, adding whimsy to the event décor. 

Patrons will also enjoy a high-end silent auction featuring items such as autographed footballs from Indianapolis Colts’ Tony Dungy and Chicago Bears’ Lovie Smith, who made history as the first African-American coaches to play in the NFL Super Bowl. 

During the event, UNCF will present a $5,000 scholarship to Ashley Campbell, who will attend St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh in the fall.  Additional proceeds will benefit UNCF member institutions including the five located in NC:  Bennett College, Johnson C. Smith University, Livingstone College, Shaw University and St. Augustine’s College. 

Tickets are $125 per person and may be purchased through the local UNCF office by calling 704-377-8625.  Wachovia is the presenting sponsor of the event.

Founded in 1944, the United Negro College Fund is the nation’s oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization.  UNCF has raised more than $2 billion to support its 39 member institutions and has helped more than 350,000 students earn undergraduate and graduate degrees.  The Fund is known nationally by its slogan, “A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste.”

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