TORRANCE, Calif., May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Grambling State
University (GSU) awarded James
Colon, vice president of African American Business Strategy
at Toyota Motor Sales, Inc., an honorary doctorate degree at its
2014 Spring Commencement ceremony, Friday, May 9. It is the
most prestigious degree the historically black university
offers.
![Grambling State University president Frank G. Pogue, Ph.D., bestows ceremonial regalia to James Colon, vice president of African American Business Strategy for Toyota Motor Sales, at the school's 2014 spring commencement recently. Colon received an honorary doctorate of laws for his advocacy of African-American participation in the automobile industry. Grambling State University president Frank G. Pogue, Ph.D., bestows ceremonial regalia to James Colon, vice president of African American Business Strategy for Toyota Motor Sales, at the school's 2014 spring commencement recently. Colon received an honorary doctorate of laws for his advocacy of African-American participation in the automobile industry.](http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnvar/20140513/86870)
Grambling recognized Colon for his
commitment to diversity in the automobile industry and long-term
support of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs),
and the academic achievement of young African Americans. At Toyota,
Colon is responsible for engaging Hispanic and African American
businesses and media, and optimizing relationships with important
external Hispanic and African American groups. Under his
leadership, the automaker implemented the Toyota Green Initiative
designed to educate and encourage students on HBCUs to live
environmentally conscious lifestyles. Nearly 5,000 people have made
the Promise Pledge to live green, and 28 HBCUs have participated in
the Green Campus Contest.
"I am honored to have received this degree from one of the most
respected and distinguished historically black colleges and
universities in the nation," Colon said. "When an institution
of higher education confers an honorary degree, it believes that
the recipient reinforces its values, its mission. Grambling's vision is to be a distinguished
institution that produces accomplished graduates who go on to
compete and succeed in a global market. In short,
Grambling believes in being the best
and producing the best -- to help the world be the best it can
be. I, along with Toyota, share in that mission every day and
will continue to do so."
Colon joins an elite group of African-American influencers and
history makers who have received honorary doctorate degrees from
Grambling, including: the late singer
Whitney Houston; scholar/author Dr.
Cornel West; and, Democratic
political strategist and pundit Donna
Brazile.
In addition to his responsibilities at Toyota, Colon serves on
the boards of his alma mater, Manchester University in Indiana and Clark Atlanta
University. He is a member of The United Negro College Fund
Los Angeles Leadership Council. He was also appointed to the
board of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation two years ago,
where he supports the organization's mission by contributing to
developing leaders, informing policy and educating the public.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), the world's top automaker and creator of
the Prius, is committed to building vehicles for the way people
live through our Toyota, Lexus and Scion
brands. Over the past 50 years, we've built more than 25
million cars and trucks in North
America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants and
directly employ nearly 40,000 people. Our 1,800 North
American dealerships sold more than 2.5 million cars and trucks in
2013 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the
past 20 years are still on the road today.
Toyota partners with philanthropic organizations across the
country, with a focus on education, safety and the
environment. As part of this commitment, we share the
company's extensive know-how garnered from building great cars and
trucks to help community organizations and other nonprofits expand
their ability to do good. For more information about Toyota,
visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140513/86870
SOURCE Toyota Motor Sales, Inc.