DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ford Motor
Company and Ford Motor Company Fund are encouraging students
enrolled at Historically Black Colleges and Universities to submit
proposals in a competition to earn scholarships while also
contributing to their communities. Up to $75,000 in scholarships and university and
community grants will be awarded to the winning student team and
project.
Now in its second year, the HBCU Community Challenge – an
extension of a signature Ford Fund education program, Ford College
Community Challenge – is being conducted in collaboration with the
Tom Joyner and Rickey Smiley morning
shows. Both radio shows will support efforts to generate awareness
around the program within the community. The program seeks to
encourage students to design community projects that address
pressing local needs. The theme is "Building Sustainable
Communities."
Each proposal should creatively address a pressing community
need that focuses on at least one of these areas – mobility,
alternative energy, sustainability/water, and systematic approaches
to meeting community needs. Student and university scholarships
will be awarded to the winning team, with each winning project
being awarded a grant for teams to implement their innovative
work.
Three teams will be selected to present their proposals to a
panel of judges that includes radio personality Tom Joyner and Ford
executives at Ford World Headquarters in December.
"Last year's program was such a success for us," said
Shawn Thompson, manager, Ford
Multicultural Marketing. "All of the teams came to Dearborn with not only a great deal of
creativity, but with an infectious energy around wanting to improve
their communities. We look forward to another exciting
program."
Howard University, Fayetteville State University, Tuskegee University and Huston-Tillotson University
were the finalists in last year's challenge. Huston-Tillotson
University won first place with its innovative Dumpster
Project.
Interested students attending Historically Black Colleges and
Universities can learn more about the competition and submit their
proposals by visiting www.blackamericaweb.com/hbcuchallenge or
www.rickeysmileymorningshow.com/hbcuchallenge, between now and
Nov. 9.
"Ford Fund is committed to empowering future leaders through
community programs," said Pamela
Alexander, director, Community Development, Ford Fund. "We
are truly excited to team up for the second year with the Tom
Joyner and Rickey Smiley morning
shows to bring this innovative initiative to the Historically Black
Colleges and Universities community. We look forward to receiving
and reviewing the student proposals."
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor
Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or
distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 186,000
employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands
include Ford and Lincoln. The
company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit
Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products
worldwide, please visit
http://corporate.ford.com.
About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community
Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community
Services works with community partners to advance driving safety,
education and community life. Ford Motor Company Fund has operated
for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor
Company. Ford Driving Skills for Life teaches new drivers through a
variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in
education is encouraged through programs that enhance high school
learning and provide college scholarships and university grants.
Through Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford employees and
retirees each year work on projects that better their communities
in 30 countries. For more information, visit
http://community.ford.com.
SOURCE Ford Motor Company