Microsoft's Fred Humphries Ups Cash Swagger To Enliven 2018 "Candle In The Dark" Gala
Microsoft's Corporate Vice President Fred Humphries brought a little Washington, DC benefit swagger to the Morehouse Gala this year, enlivening the customary sponsor speeches with a multi-thousand dollar "Boo-ya" all the way from the Beltway! Fred ignited the live gift giving and pledged the ongoing support of Microsoft to Morehouse and its emerging technology graduates.
In total, more than $3 million was raised for scholarships at Morehouse College during the “A Candle in the Dark” Gala on February 17. The 30th annual event, held at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, was sold out with more than 1,500 guests on hand as six men – Ohio State professor William T. McDaniel ’67, Silicon Valley executive Emmett D. Carson ’81, Congressman Cedric Richmond ’95, businessman William M. Lewis Jr., director Oz Scott, investor and philanthropist Robert F. Smith – were honored for their stellar careers. An estimated $1 million was raised during the Gala through ticket sales and sponsorships. But that wasn’t all. Shortly after guests dined, The Aaron Foundation announced a $1 million donation for students to attend Morehouse College.
And then during his award acceptance speech, Smith, who was presented the Candle in Business and Philanthropy, the man who was the leading contributor to the National Museum of African American History and Culture also gave $1 million to Morehouse College.
He also told Morehouse Men to continue lifting up the world.
“Morehouse Men, it can be done and you are enough to do it,” Smith said.
All of that took place after Frederick S. Humphries Jr ’83, corporate vice president, U.S. Government Affairs, Legal and Corporate Affairs for the Microsoft Innovation and Policy Center announced that Microsoft was raising its gift to Morehouse to $150,000. A couple of minutes later, Rodney Bullard, vice president of Community Affairs and executive director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation, upped the ante and said Chick-fil-A would give a total of $165,000.
“Of course, I’ll match that,” Humphries said of Microsoft.
