Local corporate and community leaders will celebrate the higher education dreams of area high school students over a lunch hosted by the United Negro College Fund Greater Pensacola Leadership Council.

The guest speaker for the luncheon is Chief David Alexander III, the assistant chief of police of the Pensacola Police Department.

The event is from noon to 1 p.m. March 12 at New World Landing.

Working to create a college-ready culture that provides students with support to get to and through college, the local all-volunteer leadership council was established in the fall of 2013. It is committed to investing in better futures for the area’s young people through education.

In 2014, nine students were awarded need-based scholarships of up to $2,500.

Those nine students are now completing their first year at the following schools: Joi Archie, University of West Florida; Destini Davis, Spelman College; Kayla Davis, Tuskegee University; Laquan Davis, University of West Florida; Michael Johnson, Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University; Clander Mainer, University of West Florida; Aaliyah Mays, Florida State University; Emon Smith, Jacksonville University; and Daja Thomas, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

“In our inaugural year, we forged alliances that greatly benefited these nine students,” said Sadiqa Ali, the luncheon’s chairperson. “Additionally, we provided two scholarship forums attended by (more than) 110 students and parents about the resources and opportunities of higher education, whether it’s through college or vocational educational.”

The luncheon also celebrates local leaders as champions of education. “This year, we’re excited to honor Zoya Webster Phillips of Benboe Funeral Home as the community champion and Collier Merrill of Merrill Land Company and Great Southern Restaurants as the corporate champion,” said Gwen Hewitt, UNCF development director.

“We’re committed to building a pipeline of qualified college and technical school graduates in Pensacola so that champions like Ms. Phillips and Mr. Merrill will have amazing team members for their companies.”

The luncheon is open to the public. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased from Sadiqa Ali at (850) 490-6800 and corporate sponsorships are available through Gwen Hewitt at (407) 896-6940.