Continuing a recent trend of safety and social distancing during a pandemic while raising money for a great cause, the UNCF National Virtual Walk for Education® will stream live and on-demand Saturday, Sept. 18.
Viewers are invited to walk, run, bike and/or dance along with the digital program to help raise funds for students of color across North Texas and Oklahoma who are trying to get to and through college.
This event has temporarily replaced the annual in-person walk events that many of the UNCF local offices conduct each spring, summer and fall, taking what’s typically been a market-by-market approach on to a fully nationwide program.
The UNCF National Virtual Walk for Education® raises funds to support (HBCUs). Texas is host to nine HBCUs, including UNCF-members Jarvis Christian, Texas and Wiley Colleges.
While the country continues to practice social distancing, the event will engage participants in activities to walk, run, cycle and dance safely—all the while having fun and still raising money for UNCF.
The show will feature celebrity appearances and performances, culminating with a performance by DJ MC Lyte. The Walk program will begin streaming live online at 11 a.m. CDT on Sept. 18, and on-demand immediately following the premiere until Sept. 30.
“During our 77 years and despite heavy odds, UNCF has continued to move the needle for HBCUs and students of colors, fueling their progress,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF.
“Throughout the last year, we have seen an enormity of racial division and strife, which has been compounded for our students by the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to find ourselves at a crossroads where the need of our students and the demand on our member HBCUs is larger than ever before.
“I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again—we are at risk of washing away a generation of talented and deserving African American and minority students. Donations are urgently needed to ensure our next generation of American doctors, nurses, virologists, teachers and technologists—pandemic frontliners—can get to college, succeed and graduate. We invite everyone to register and join our Virtual Walk for Education to help ensure better futures for us all.”
Current local sponsors of the UNCF National Virtual Walk for Education® are Kroger,
H-E-B, QuikTrip, University of Texas at Arlington and media sponsor Majic 94.5 and 97.9 The Beat.
The digital fundraiser will also honor local supporters and highlight UNCF students. Participants will be able to engage in an interactive experience including up-beat music to dance to all in honor of supporting HBCUs and their students.
To register for the event, go to UNCF.org/NorthTexasWalk. Also follow the event on social media @UNCF #LACEUP4UNCF #UNCF.
