HOUSTON — The Urban Enrichment Institute (UEI) celebrated its 40th anniversary with a gala held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Saturday, October 19. The event, co-chaired by Drs. Santana and Karen Williams, honored prominent community leaders and featured a keynote address by Dr. Ruth Simmons, a Fifth Ward native and former president of multiple universities, including Brown University and Prairie View A&M University. Dr. Simmons was the first African American president of an Ivy League institution.
The evening celebrated the contributions of several honorees, including UEI co-founder and First Executive Director Ernest McMillan; its Second Executive Director Charles Savage; Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis; Dr. Frazier Wilson, Vice President of the Shell USA Company Foundation; hip-hop artist and community leader Bernard Freeman (Bun B); American record executive and community leader James Prince; and Houston Texans player Laremy Tunsil. These individuals were recognized for their support of UEI and their longstanding dedication to uplifting the Fifth Ward and Greater Houston communities.
Dr. Simmons, the Education Pioneer Honoree, delivered an inspiring keynote speech, emphasizing the importance of overcoming adversity and the transformative power of education and community support. She highlighted the impactful work of UEI in the Fifth Ward, applauding its efforts to provide young men with the tools and opportunities needed to succeed.
Ernest McMillan – UEI Hall of Honor Honoree (Co-Founder, Fifth Ward Enrichment Program & 1st Executive Director)
Charles Savage – UEI Hall of Honor Honoree (2nd Executive Director)
Keith E. Cornelius – Current UEI Executive Director
(Photo Credit: Urban Enrichment Institute)
More than 400 attendees gathered to celebrate UEI’s mission and milestones, and help raise the highest amount ever for a UEI sponsored event – over $100,000 – to support its afterschool programs and strategic vision.
The gala also marked the induction of co-founder Ernest McMillan and Charles Savage into the UEI Hall of Honor, recognizing their foundational leadership and dedication to the organization’s mission over the past four decades.
The Urban Enrichment Institute, formerly known as the Fifth Ward Enrichment Program, was established in 1984 to address fatherlessness, gang violence, and substance abuse in young African American males. Today, it serves over 200 middle and high school boys across nine schools, providing academic support, career readiness, mentoring, and enrichment opportunities.
For more information about the Urban Enrichment Institute and its programs, please visit www.ueinstitute.org.
