The University of Toledo Minority Business Development Center presents An Evening of Chance, their inaugural fundraiser, which will be held Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m., at Parkway Place in Maumee.

The event will feature a photobooth and games including roulette, blackjack and Texas Hold ’em. Between games, guests can bid on silent auction items, and enjoy several food stations, a soft bar and a cash bar.

The evening will conclude with a live auction and an award ceremony for local minority business owners.

Proceeds will help the UT Minority Business Development Center, which is in its fifth year of operation and is one of few of its kind in the United States.

“This event is an opportunity for the community to learn about how we support and play a part of the economic development in the region,” said Dr. Shanda Gore, UT associate vice president for equity, diversity and community engagement, and chief diversity officer.

The UT Minority Business Development Center is an integral component of the UT Office of Equity, Diversity and Community Engagement and the Division of External Affairs. Located on the Scott Park Campus of Energy and Innovation, its mission is to foster an environment that supports early-stage minority-owned businesses via services such as office space, training, mentoring and a professional network of advisors.

“For businesses, within the first five years, it’s a challenge to stay open,” Gore said. “And our students benefit through the center because it creates a great hands-on experience that builds a top-notch resume. We have 100 percent placement of all students who have interned or had assistantships with us.”

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by visiting utoledo.edu/incubator/mbdc. Sponsors may also register through this website.

Ticket sales end Thursday, Sept. 25. Each ticket will provide some gaming money and additional purchases will be available.

For more information call 419.530.3170, email mbdc@utoledo.edu, visit twitter.com/UTMBDC or like UT Minority Business Development Center on Facebook.