The United Negro College Fund is proud to name Billy Mitchell a 2026 UNCF Los Angeles Masked Ball Honoree for his transformative impact at the intersection of music, education, and community. An acclaimed jazz pianist, educator, and Morehouse College graduate, Mitchell founded the Scholarship Audition Performance Preparatory Academy (SAPPA), providing free music training and scholarship support to youth across South Los Angeles. He also leads the Watts-Willowbrook Music Academy and Youth Symphony, creating pathways to higher education through the arts. His work empowers underserved students by pairing talent with mentorship, resources, and opportunity.
