Legacy Ball Patrons Party Celebrates a Future Fueled by Education

On a showstopping spring evening, guests arrived at the elegant home of Yvette Boyd for the Legacy Ball Patrons Party. The evening was a chance for organizers to thank donors and supporters and to reemphasize the R.H. Boyd Family Foundation’s mission to empower the community by providing scholarships to students and supporting organizations that offer educational advancement to those in need.

Throughout the evening, friends mixed and mingled as excitement built for the upcoming event. Co-chairs Maya and John Faison and Tiffany and Alfred Degrafinreid took the front of the room — co-chair Michael Eric Dyson was there in spirit — with LaDonna Boyd, R.H. Boyd president and CEO. LaDonna reminded everyone of the foundation’s important work. “Not only are we giving back to education and grants, but [we are] making sure that we’re honoring African American achievement as well,” she said.

As speakers took turns highlighting the foundation’s important work and the ongoing importance of Historically Black College and University scholarships, it soon became clear that most of them held doctorates. Touched by this, community supporter Apphia Maxima asked who in the room had an advanced degree. In that powerful moment, the important mission and vision of the Legacy Ball became abundantly clear — as most stood or raised their hands.

LaDonna shared more good news: The foundation’s signature fundraiser, the Legacy Ball, was already 80% sold out with less than a month to go. Last year, while LaDonna was getting her hair done for the ball, she received calls asking if there were any seats left at the event. The answer was “no.” She joked that this year, she wouldn’t be taking those calls — and encouraged everyone to buy their tickets early.

After the speeches and thank-yous concluded, many stayed to celebrate and enjoy an evening of friendship.