(Birmingham, AL) — Birmingham’s leading black-tie fundraiser – The UNCF Birmingham MASKED Ball — happens on Saturday, March 2, 2013, at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel Ballroom. The MASKED Ball pre-reception commences at 6 p.m. with event kickoff at 7:00 p.m., and nationally renowned R&B legend, Keith Sweat is scheduled to perform.
This highly-anticipated event is UNCF Birmingham’s signature fundraiser and one of the Magic City’s premier social occasions of the year. Anthony Barnes, President and CEO of Barnes & Associates and Abra Barnes, Realtor and V.P. of Marketing and Agent Development of Barnes & Associates, will serve as the first father-daughter Chairperson team of this year’s event. Mayor William A. Bell Sr. is an honorary chair.
The 2013 installment of the MASKED Ball will feature a mask auction and presentation, reception, parade of stars, elegant dining, entertainment, and a star-studded feature performance by nationally renowned R&B legend ~ Keith Sweat.
Proceeds from the highly-anticipated event will allow UNCF to extend thousands of dollars of support to students from the state of Alabama, thus helping them to pursue and attain a college education.This year, UNCF leadership has set a fundraising goal of $500,000.
“Over the last few years our economy has truly challenged the ability of many families to afford a college education for their children,” said UNCF Regional Development Officer Walvid King. “The UNCF MASKED Ball ensures students have that chance to achieve their educational dreams, and the call for this community’s support is more critical than ever before. ‘A mind is a terrible thing to waste, and we’d be nowhere without contributors who share in that belief. We are thankful.”
Major Donors for this year’s event include Mercedes Benz International, Birmingham Airport Authorities, Alabama Power, City of Birmingham, Birmingham City Council, Malcolm Pirnie/ Arcadis, ACIPCO, CBS 42, Hot 107.7, BBVA Compass, BB and T Bank, AT&T, Regions Financial, Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC, Citizens Trust, Barnes and Associates Realty, Bloc Global Solution, ENERGEN, Protective Life Insurance and Vulcan Materials Company.
ABOUT KEITH SWEAT
Keith Sweat is a nationally renowned R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, radio personality, author and innovator of the New Jack Swing. This legendary soul artist will serve as the featured after-dinner entertainment at the 2013 Birmingham MASKED Ball. Some of his signature billboard hits include, “I’ll Give All My Love to You”, “Make It Last Forever”, “Twisted”, “Nobody”, “Just a Touch” and more. His appearance is sure to make the 2013 Birmingham MASKED Ball a most unforgettable experience.
Sweat hosts the nationally syndicated radio program The Sweat Hotel. Broadcasting live from Atlanta, Sweat brings his quiet storm of R&B and slow jamz, special guests, live in-studio performances and call-n confessionals to listeners nationwide on Sunday through Friday from 7 p.m. to midnight. The Sweat Hotel is the #1 nationally syndicated Urban AC evening radio show (Source: Arbitron, SP’11, Nationwide, Exact Times, AQH, P 12+).
Born in Harlem, New York, Sweat originally worked for the commodities market at the New York Stock Exchange before he was discovered singing at a nightclub in 1987. In November of the same year, he released his debut album, Make It Last Forever, which sold more than three million copies. On the R&B charts, “I Want Her” hit #1 and the title track hit #2.
His next album, I’ll Give All My Love To You, hit #3 on the Billboard 200 chart, and Keep It Comin’ debuted in the Top 20 on the album charts. Sweat released his fourth album Get Up On It in the summer of 1994 and followed with Keith Sweat in 1996, his self-titled fifth album which hit #5 on the Billboard 200 and gained quadruple platinum status. The single “Twisted” hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and “Nobody” hit #3. In 2008, Sweat released Just Me, followed by Ridin’ Solo in 2010.
His latest album, Til’ the Morning, will be released November, 8, 2011 via eOne Music, and the title track was the #1 most added at Urban AC radio the week of release and is already charting at #16 and growing. The R&B and pop icon has delivered five straight #1 albums and sold more than 25 million records.
One of Sweat’s latest projects is the Dru Hill reality show, Keith Sweat’s Platinum House. Created and executive produced by Sweat, the TV show is shot as his home and studio in Atlanta, and has yielded #1 ratings on Centric Television. Keith is also working on a relationship book titled Make It Last Forever: The Do’s and the Don’ts, which is scheduled to be released in 2012.
A renowned performer, recording artist, producer, Georgia Music Hall of Famer and father of four, Keith Sweat has more than two decades in the soul business.
For sponsorship, ticket and additional information, please contact the UNCF Birmingham Office at 205.322.8623 or email walvid.king@uncf.org.
You can also visit online at give.uncf.org/Birmingham.
(Note: Ticket purchases are tax deductible.)
For More Information, Contact:
Bryna Reid
Cell – 205.394.5055
Email – brynareid.prspec@yahoo.com
About UNCF
The United Negro College Fund—is the nation’s oldest and most successful minority education assistance organization. Its mission is to increase minority degree attainment by providing financial support to its 38 member institutions, reducing financial barriers to college and serving as a national advocate for minority education. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 18 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 900 colleges and universities across the country.
