Recognizing the United Negro College Fund and awardees Stephanie Mays Boyd, Dr. Edith P. Mitchell and The Philadelphia Foundation on the Occasion of the UNCF 2020 Mayor's Masked Ball.

WHEREAS, For the past 75 years, the United Negro College fund (UNCF) has changed the lives of half a million students, due to its commitment to a society where all Americans have equal access to a college education that prepares them for rich intellectual lives, competitive and fulfilling careers, engaged citizenship, and service to our nation. The organization’s many efforts have built a robust and nationally recognized pipeline of underrepresented students who, because of UNCF support, have become highly qualified college graduates; and

WHEREAS, Over the past three quarters of a century of immense success the organization has assisted about 450,000 college graduates and 60,000 current college students, supported 37 member Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) provided 10,000 scholarships annually, worth more than $25 million, developed 400 educational programs and raised more than $4.8 billion; and

WHEREAS, UNCF remains steadfastly committed to its motto, “A Mind Is A Terrible Thing to Waste”; and

WHEREAS, The UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball will be held in the City of Philadelphia on Saturday, March 7, 2020 and is hosted by The Honorable James F. Kenney, Mayor, City of Philadelphia. 2020 Masked Ball recipients include Stephanie Mays Boyd, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority; Dr. Edith P. Mitchell, Clinical Professor, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; and The Philadelphia Foundation, represented by their President and CEO Pedro Ramos; and

WHEREAS, Stephanie Mays Boyd has over 28 years of experience in the hospitality industry. At PCCA, Mays Boyd provides leadership to a dynamic sales and services team by creating strategies that have yielded $8 million dollars in revenue annually. She began her career as an Event Coordinator in 1996, and also served as a Sales and Service Coordinator, Convention and Tradeshow Sales Manager, Senior Sales Manager, Director of Sales and Marketing before assuming her current position; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Edith P. Mitchell currently serves as a Clinical Professor for Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. After growing up in a town with segregated hospitals and medical facilities, Dr. Mitchell attended Tennessee State University and then VCU School of Medicine, where she was the only Black female in attendance. Dr. Mitch completed her internship and residency at Meharry Medical College and has a distinguished career as a medical practitioner. Dr. Mitchell is also a veteran of the United States Air Force. While in the military, she initiated a military women’s health program and became the first African-American female in the Missouri Air National Guard to be promoted to Brigadier general; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Foundation has a century-long history of connecting community-minded individuals with the people and organizations that are helping to build a Greater Philadelphia Region. With deep relationships in the community and intimate knowledge of local nonprofits, we collaborate with individuals, families and businesses to magnify charitable and philanthropic impact. From Ben Franklin’s civic gift of 1,000 pounds sterling to Gerry Lenfest’s endowment for independent journalism, the Philadelphia Foundation stewards legacies that strengthen the place we call home, improving lives today and for future generations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize The Philadelphia Foundation on account of her recognition at the 2020 UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball.

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