Birmingham - The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Birmingham is pleased to announce Alabama Power CEO Charles McCrary as the recipient of the UNCF Lifetime Achievement Award – the first to be given in the local organization’s history. The prestigious honor recognizes a visionary leader who has blazed trails in areas of educational advancement, minority advocacy and community development.

The award will be presented March 8 at the annual UNCF Birmingham Masked Ball at the Sheraton Hotel Ballroom. “We are excited to present this award because we have a tremendous opportunity to recognize Charles McCrary’s visionary leadership at Alabama Power,” said UNCF Area Development Director Walvid King. “His record and advocacy concerning African-Americans in this community show he’s been a true trailblazer and change agent where and when needed.”

Since 1991, the Alabama Power Foundation has awarded more than $400,000 to the UNCF to help students pursue their higher education goals. “The best way to ensure success for tomorrow is to invest in our children today,” McCrary said.

The UNCF Birmingham Masked Ball is one of the Magic City’s premier social occasions and leading black-tie fundraisers of the year. Additional event features include a masked auction and presentation, reception, parade of stars, elegant dining, music and a star-studded feature performance by nationally renowned entertainment (the artist will be announced at a later date). Birmingham Water Works Board Vice President Sherry Lewis will serve as the chairwoman of this 2014 event. Mayor William A. Bell Sr. is an honorary chairman.

UNCF leadership has set a 2014 event fundraising goal of $600,000. Proceeds will allow UNCF to extend thousands of dollars in support of students from Alabama, helping them to pursue a college education. More than 1,300 students were in attendance at the 2013 event. 

For sponsorship or individual ticket inquiries, 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. Ticket purchases are tax-deductible.

About UNCF

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) 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 more than 900 colleges and universities across the country.