Emmy Award-Winning Actress, Producer and Advocate Sheryl Lee Ralph to Join the Mainstage at Blackbaud's bbcon 2024 Tech Conference

Ralph Will Share Career Insights, Inspiration and Empowering Advice on Building Confidence  

CHARLESTON, S.C., July 10, 2024 /CNW/ -- Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the leading provider of software for powering social impact, today announced that Sheryl Lee Ralph will join the mainstage for a keynote conversation at bbcon 2024, Blackbaud's annual tech conference, taking place September 24-26 in Seattle, Washington.  

"We are honored to have Sheryl Lee Ralph join us at bbcon this year to share her wisdom and inspiration with our community of global changemakers," said Catherine LaCour, chief marketing officer, Blackbaud. "As a trailblazer in entertainment and a dedicated nonprofit leader, Sheryl has championed causes close to her heart, including health equity and the arts. She is known for her phenomenal positivity and her ability to navigate life with courage, wit and strength. I'm thrilled for bbcon attendees to have the chance to learn from her." 

Ralph can currently be seen starring on ABC's smash hit comedy series "Abbott Elementary," and in the upcoming film "The Fabulous Four" alongside Bette Midler, Susan Sarandon and Megan Mullally (in theaters July 26). With a career spanning nearly four decades, taking her from Hollywood to Broadway and back again, her long list of credits includes the multi-Tony Award-winning Broadway play "Dreamgirls," film credits such as "Sister Act 2" and "The Distinguished Gentleman," and television credits including "Moesha," "Instant Mom," "Wonder Woman," "The Jefferson's," and "Good Times."

She is a passionate health advocate and honored AIDS activist as the founding director of the DIVA (Divinely Inspired Victoriously Anointed) Foundation 501(C)3, which she established in memory of the many friends lost to HIV/AIDS. She also created the critically acclaimed "Divas Simply Singing!"—an evening of song and entertainment that is the longest consecutive running musical AIDS benefit in the country. Sheryl was awarded the first Red Ribbon Award at the UN for her unique use of the arts in HIV/AIDS activism and was recently appointed as an AIDS Ambassador for Jamaica's Ministry of Health. 

bbcon is the tech conference that fuels impact—bringing together the Blackbaud community to share, learn, inspire and innovate. This year's event will welcome thousands of Blackbaud users and those interested in learning more about how to use Blackbaud's software to fuel their social impact. Attendees will have the opportunity to grow their skills, make connections across Blackbaud's customer community, and hear from Blackbaud leaders on what's coming next in innovation. The conference will offer over 150 breakout sessions as well as preconference workshops for product training and for developers of all levels. 

Get more information and register at bbconference.com.  

About Blackbaud
Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is the leading software provider exclusively dedicated to powering social impact. Serving the nonprofit and education sectors, companies committed to social responsibility and individual change makers, Blackbaud's essential software is built to accelerate impact in fundraising, nonprofit financial management, digital giving, grantmaking, corporate social responsibility and education management. With millions of users and over $100 billion raised, granted or managed through Blackbaud platforms every year, Blackbaud's solutions are unleashing the potential of the people and organizations who change the world. Blackbaud has been named to Newsweek's list of America's Most Responsible Companies, Quartz's list of Best Companies for Remote Workers, and Forbes' list of America's Best Employers. A remote-first company, Blackbaud has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica and the United Kingdom, supporting users in 100+ countries. Learn more at www.blackbaud.com or follow us on X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

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Forward-looking Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding expected benefits of products and product features. Although Blackbaud attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the following: general economic risks; uncertainty regarding increased business and renewals from existing customers; continued success in sales growth; management of integration of acquired companies and other risks associated with acquisitions; risks associated with successful implementation of multiple integrated software products; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks associated with management of growth; lengthy sales and implementation cycles, particularly in larger organization; technological changes that make our products and services less competitive; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or upon request from Blackbaud's investor relations department. All Blackbaud product names appearing herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc.

SOURCE Blackbaud