The Public Education Foundation (PEF) hosted its second annual Black Girl Magic Juneteenth Jubilee Luncheon on Tuesday, June 18th, 2024, at Nine Twenty in downtown Las Vegas.
This luncheon celebrated phenomenal African-American women of the past, present, and future while raising funds to provide scholarships for four Black/African-American students pursuing their college and career dreams.
Thanks to the tremendous turnout and support from educational dream makers, including Honorary Chairwoman and President of the Las Vegas Aces Nikki Fargas and the Black Girl Magic Host Committee, the event raised $160,000 for the Black Girl Magic Scholarship, double what was raised for scholars in the first year of the event. The event also introduced the inaugural scholarship recipients—Laura, Savanna, Chloe, and Angel—spotlighting the tangible impact of the Black Girl Magic Scholarship.
The Black Girl Magic Scholarship supports female-identifying college-bound high school seniors in Clark County, Nevada, of Black/African American descent with a 2.5 or higher GPA planning to attend an accredited college or university full-time. Preference is given to students intending to attend an Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Applications for the second round of four $40,000 scholarships will open on October 1, 2024.
With more than 450 supporters in attendance, the event served as an uplifting tribute to those who passionately advocate for public education. It was a vibrant celebration of diverse communities coming together, featuring an unforgettable performance by the C Love Community Choir and inspirational remarks on legacy from keynote speaker Shawna Wells.
During the event, four inspirational women were honored for their contributions and influence within the Las Vegas community. The honorees included:
● Ogonna M. Brown, Esq., Partner at Lewis Roca
● Alaina Criner-Wilson, Assistant Superintendent of the Curriculum and Instruction
Division for the Clark County School District
● Dr. Lisa Morris Hibbler, Executive Director of the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation
●Natalie Williams, General Manager of the Las Vegas Aces
Major contributors to the luncheon included the Siriwan Singhasiri and Kenneth Lin Foundation, Live U=U, MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, R&R Foundation, Aristocrat, Lark McCarthy, Las Vegas Aces, Las Vegas Raiders, Palm Mortuaries, Select Health, and JP Morgan Chase.
Sponsorships and tables are now available for the 2025 Black Girl Magic Juneteenth Jubilee Luncheon on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. You can reserve yours at https://e.givesmart.com/events/DqH/
To learn more about the Public Education Foundation, please visit thepef.org.
About the Public Education Foundation
The Public Education Foundation (PEF) unites the community to inspire support of our public schools. In partnership with the Clark County School District (CCSD), PEF helps guide effective investments in education to meet the immediate, critical needs of our students, families, and educators. For more information about PEF, please visit www.thepef.org. Follow us on Facebook @ThePublicEducationFoundation, Twitter @ThePEFtoday, and Instagram @ThePEFtoday.
