Record-breaking funds came from individuals, foundations & corporations
The Milwaukee Urban League’s 28th Annual Black & White Ball proved to be a record-breaking night. The event exceeded $400,000 net proceeds for the first time by raising more than $408,000 to support League programs.
A record 19 major sponsors provided early and substantial support for this year’s event which welcomed a crowd of more than 800 guests. And, six companies presented special gifts to the Milwaukee Urban League during the ball, bringing in another record $250,000 in ball funds.
“This year’s support for the Ball was astounding,” said Milwaukee Urban League president and CEO, Ralph Hollmon.
“The fact that we crossed a new fundraising threshold is a reflection of the tremendous support that the League receives from this generous community. This support inspires us to continually look for more opportunities to serve underserved parts of our community and help increase graduation rates, decrease unemployment rates and promote the entrepreneurial strength that comes from a diverse community.”
The Black & White Ball’s 19 Major Sponsors this year were: American Family Insurance, Associated Bank, BMO Harris Bank, Brewers Community Foundation, Coca Cola Refreshments USA, Inc., Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation, Harley Davidson Motor Company, JP Morgan Chase, KS Energy Services, ManpowerGroup, MillerCoors, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Northwestern Mutual Foundation, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Time Warner Cable, UPS, U.S. Bank, We Energies and Wisconsin Energy Foundation.
In addition to the recordbreaking financial support of major sponsors, the following organizations contributed special gifts at the ball: U.S. Bank ($20,000); Coca Cola ($25,000); JP Morgan Chase Bank ($30,000); We Energies/ Wisconsin Energy Foundation ($50,000); Johnson Controls ($50,000); and MillerCoors ($75,000). And, four local companies stepped up by purchasing multiple tables to support this year’s event: GE Healthcare with eight tables and Johnson Controls, Northwestern Mutual and SC Johnson with three each.
Guests also helped boost the evening’s revenues, contributing more than $26,000 through their participation in a silent auction and a special backpack donation. The backpacks will be filled with school supplies and distributed to children at the League’s annual fall Health Fair, through local churches and community organizations.
In their 11th year, this year’s event co-chairs were Jackie Herd-Barber and Cathy James, long-time community volunteers, and Lynn Sprangers, Vice President of Communications & Community Engagement at Mount Mary College.
The crowd enjoyed a fantastic performance by the Grammy award winning group, The Manhattans, in addition to sounds from The Larry Moore Trio during the champagne reception and D.J. Phil Anderson during the post-ball reception.
