Chicago Cubs Owner Tom Ricketts To Chair UNCF "A Mind Is …" Gala - Chicago, June 17

CHICAGO, May 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tom Ricketts, executive chairman of the World Champion Chicago Cubs, will serve as gala chair of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) "A Mind Is…" Gala – Chicago, being held Saturday, June 17, at 6:00 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency, 151 E. Wacker Drive. It is the first time in the 17-year history of the event that a sitting sports team owner has served as chair. In addition, for the first time, a Chicago sports team, the Chicago Cubs, will be the Presenting Sponsor of the event.

"We are happy to join other Chicago companies that have been at the forefront of enabling talented and deserving African-American students to attend and graduate from college," said Ricketts. "I am honored to serve in this capacity," he said.

"Tom Ricketts is as famous for his generosity and philanthropic spirit as he is for owning our World Champion Chicago Cubs. We are so grateful to have his participation and to have the Chicago Cubs as our Presenting Sponsor this year," said Lisa Rollins, regional director, Workplace Initiatives, UNCF.

The program includes recognition of extraordinary individuals and organizations that support the work of UNCF.  This year, Commonwealth Edison will receive the Corporate Award.

Gala honorees also include Timothy J. Rand, president and CEO, MAC One; Everett Rand, owner, Midway Wholesalers; and Larry Huggins, president and CEO, Riteway-Huggins Construction Services. The three are co-founders of the Chicago Football Classic, which inspires students to consider attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Shayne Evans, founding managing partner, The Academy Group, and D'Rita Robinson, civic leader and entrepreneur, also will receive honors.

World-renowned drummer, percussionist, singer and songwriter Sheila E will perform.

The "A Mind Is…" Gala gets its name from the decades-old UNCF slogan, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."

Gala donors and partners include BMO Harris Bank, ITW, US Bank, ComEd, Allstate, NBC5 Chicago, WinTrust, AT&T, InTren, GCM Grosvenor, Chase, Boeing, Chicago Defender, Nicor Gas, Northwestern Kellogg School of Business, JB Pritzker, American Airlines, Aldridge Electric, Mary Hines, Peoples Gas, iHeartMedia Chicago, Aramark, KPMG and Coaxum Family Restaurants.

For tickets and information, visit uncf.org/amiChicago. For sponsorships, call 312-845-2200.

SOURCE United Negro College Fund (UNCF)