Education and opportunity took center stage at City Hall on Wednesday evening as Mayor Andre Dickens joined United Negro College Fund leaders, corporate partners, and longtime supporters to recognize the collective effort behind the upcoming Mayor’s Masked Ball.
The gathering served as both a moment of gratitude and a reminder of what sustained investment in education can mean for Atlanta’s future. For more than four decades, the Mayor’s Masked Ball has helped open doors for students pursuing higher education, particularly at historically Black colleges and universities.
“As I prepare for my second term, I remain committed to making Atlanta a City of Opportunity for All,” said Mayor Dickens. “That commitment includes investing in education and supporting the students who will shape our city’s future.”
A shared investment in students
UNCF leaders shared updates on progress toward this year’s fundraising goals and highlighted how the Mayor’s Masked Ball continues to stand as the organization’s most successful mayoral ball nationwide. Proceeds from the event support scholarships and programs that help students persist, graduate, and build pathways to long-term economic mobility.
A student testimony during the program offered a personal perspective on the impact of that support, underscoring how access to financial resources and mentorship can change educational outcomes.
Partners powering opportunity
The evening also recognized the corporate partners whose support makes the event possible year after year. Returning Title Sponsor Norfolk Southern was thanked for its continued leadership, along with Presenting Sponsors Chick-fil-A, The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, Google, The Home Depot, and UPS.
These Atlanta-based and global companies play a vital role in strengthening the city’s talent pipeline and reinforcing education as a cornerstone of opportunity.
Carrying a tradition forward
While the setting was celebratory, the focus remained forward-looking. The Mayor’s Masked Ball continues to reflect Atlanta’s long-standing commitment to education, partnership, and shared responsibility for the next generation.
The gathering concluded with networking and a group photo, capturing a moment of alignment among public, private, and nonprofit partners working together to expand opportunity for Atlanta students.
