UNCF Walks for Education Raising Money for HBCUs With 5k Walks Across the Country

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- September is the month for walks as UNCF (United Negro College Fund) hosts 5K walks for education in Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Houston; Newark; New York and Orlando. Between 300-1,500 community influencers will come together to raise vitally needed funds for deserving area students and the historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that support them.

"More than ever, students need a college education to be competitive and succeed in today's global economy," said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., president and CEO of UNCF. "By investing in our students now through events like the UNCF Walk for Education, we are providing them with a path to success that will pay future dividends for them, their families and communities, and for all of us." Last year's UNCF-sponsored walks raised more than $2 million.

The details about upcoming UNCF Walk for Education events across the United States are:

Houston

• In 2017, Hurricane Harvey forced the Houston office of UNCF to hold a Houston 'Virtual' Walk for Education. This year, we're back on track (literally) and ready to walk! #LaceUp4UNCF at the fifth annual Houston Walk for Education on September 8 at Tom Bass Park. Close to 2000 public, corporate and community leaders will go the extra mile in providing a quality education to area students, including returning honorary chair, the Honorable Mayor Sylvester Turner. Whether you register individually or form a team, there are activities for everyone, including a young genius playground, live entertainment, health screenings, and a time to represent your alma mater in the alumni village tent. Registration for the walk begins at 7 a.m. For more information on the 2018 Houston Walk for Education, visit UNCF.org/Houstonwalk

Chicago

• The 35th annual UNCF Chicago Walk for Education is a broad-based community fundraising event to support deserving students with the financial assistance needed to reach their goals of going to and through college. Participants can choose to walk, run, bike or skate. Join community leaders on Saturday, September 8, at Burnham Park, Grove 7, starting at 8 a.m. Broadcast journalist Art Norman will be the emcee with music provided by DJ Boolumaster. The community is encouraged to participate to help inspire and empower the next generation of leaders and secure a better future for us all. To register or for more information, visit UNCF.org/Chicagowalk

New York

• Come out and have fun with the New York office of UNCF at the third annual 5K Walk/Run on September 8. You'll have a blast at the new location – Southpoint Park Roosevelt Island, as corporate teams, fraternities, sororities, faith-based entities, HBCU alumni and individuals walk for a great cause – education. There will be activities for everyone, including the RAD experience warmup, mini health fair, entertainment for children to enjoy and, of course, the awards for the runners and participating groups. Over 1,000 attendees are expected to participate. The event is made possible through the gracious support of sponsors including Spectrum, Gilead and PepsiCo. Visit: http://www.UNCF.org/NewYorkwalk for more information.

Newark

• The first annual UNCF New Jersey 5K Walk/Run for Education, in partnership with Kat Team Foundation, looks to bring together individuals, family members, friends and co-workers to participate and help raise much-needed funds to help address college-bound students' financial obstacles so that they are able to get to and through college on September 22 at the Brookdale Park. "Physical and Mental Health and Wellness" is the theme, with activities for children, music, healthy refreshments, friendly competition and information for healthy living at all stages.
  Run/Walk Day Activities
  Race awards
  Vendor booths
  Food trucks
  Activities for children
  Team photos
  DJ and much more!

More information can be found at http://www.UNCF.org/Newark

Columbus

• Get your team together or register individually for the 35th annual UNCF Walk/Run for Education that will be held at Wolfe Park on Columbus's historic Near East Side on September 29. UNCF is a beacon of hope to those young people who need assistance financing their higher education goals and currently has scholars earning their degrees at not only HBCUs, but other schools including Ohio State University, Miami University, Kentucky State University and Xavier University. Medals will be given to the top three runners or walkers. For more information or to register, visit: http://www.UNCF.org/Columbuswalk .

Orlando

• Lace up your sneakers and win top fundraiser, largest team, overall finisher and much more at the11th annual UNCF Central Florida 5K Walk for Education on September 29. Recruit individuals, family members, friends and co-workers to participate in the non-competitive walk to raise much-needed funds for UNCF. Over 1,000 participants are expected to attend with registration starting at 6 a.m. followed by the walk beginning at 7 a.m. at the Valencia College, West Campus parking lots A and C. For more information, visit http://www.UNCF.org/Orlandowalk.

To follow these events across the country @uncf #LaceUp4UNCF

About UNCF
UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students' education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 21 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 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste."® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.

SOURCE United Negro College Fund