Public Employee Press

Roberts heads United Negro College Fund drive

At a Gracie Mansion ceremony on Sept. 20, the United Negro College Fund named DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts labor co-chair of its New York fundraising campaign.

“There is no social problem that cannot be ameliorated with education, no other civil right as valuable,” said host Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

UNCF President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Lomax tapped Roberts to reach out to New York’s unions and raise $100,000 for the 60-year old institution in a “public and private cooperative effort” with Footlocker chair Matt Serra.

Additionally, this year UNCF has committed to provide support for students and three historically black colleges that were hit hard by Hurricane Katrina, Dillard and Xavier universities in New Orleans and Tougaloo College in Mississippi.

“A mind is a terrible thing to waste,” said Roberts, who believes strongly in the transforming power of education and the mission of UNCF. Roberts realized the importance of higher educational opportunities for DC 37 members over 30 years ago when she opened the DC 37 Campus of the College of New Rochelle, the country’s first college for working adults housed by a union.

With DC 37 officers and local presidents Lenny Allen, Dr. Leonard Davidman, Charles Farrison, Claude Fort, Edward W. Hysyk, Cliff Koppelman, Maf Misbah Uddin and others gathered to show their support, Roberts said, “We intend to reach, if not exceed, our goal this year.”

The UNCF is the nation’s largest, oldest, most successful and most comprehensive minority higher education assistance organization. In its 60-year history, UNCF has raised more than $2 billion to provide scholarships and internships for 300,000 students at about 900 institutions and operating funds and technology enhancement for 39 historically black member colleges and universities.

By accepting the challenge to raise $100,000, Roberts has agreed to reach out to brother and sister labor unions in the New York City area for support.

As labor co-chair, Roberts will participate in the televised special “An Evening of Stars.” Contributors of $10,000 or more will personally present their donation on the show, which will air in January 2006.

— Diane S. Williams