Ford, Former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Rapper Big Sean and Others Join to Expand Men of Courage on MLK Holiday
- Notable ambassadors with Ford’s expanding Men of Courage program include music and tech investor Troy
Carter, NFL all-pro DeAndre Levy, political commentator Van Jones and actor Hill Harper
- Black men across United States are being challenged to download #MenofCourage digital tool kit and
host gatherings to create positive social change in honor of #MLKDAY17
- Dave Bing, Chicago-area Ford dealer Nate Sutton and others will co-host Men of Courage event for a
diverse group of more than 50 black men this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 16
Ford Motor Company is pulling together African American leaders from across the United States to make this year’s Martin Luther
King Jr. Day a day of action for advancing the narrative of black men and creating positive social change.
Through both an online Men of Courage tool kit and a daylong forum in Chicago, black men are uniting to tell their stories and
develop strategies and solutions for challenging stereotypes while improving their economic and social status. Download the tool
kit from www.menofcourage.com. Participants can also access #menofcourage for updates.
“Men of Courage enables African American men to unite behind a common mission of being great family men, innovators and barrier
breakers through storytelling, visioning sessions and action pacts,” said Shawn Wilson, manager, multicultural community
development, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Dr. King often spoke about poverty as the root cause for many of our social ills. I’m
excited to hear the solutions we develop in Chicago and around the U.S. that will benefit not just African American men — but all
of our communities.”
The Men of Courage event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. takes place Jan. 16, 2-9 p.m., at 1871, Technology &
Entrepreneurship Center, suite 1212 of Merchandise Mart.
A cross-section of African American men will gather to share stories and experiences as well as to create action plans.
Participants include Nate Sutton, owner of Sutton Ford Lincoln in Matteson, Illinois; NBA legend and former Detroit mayor Dave
Bing; linebacker DeAndre Levy from the Detroit Lions; NFL Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis; educator Barrington Irving, the youngest
person to pilot a plane around the world solo; Bill Pickard, founder Global Automotive Group; Dr. Anthony Hamlet, superintendent of
Pittsburgh Public Schools; and author and criminal justice advocate Shaka Senghor.
Joe Madison, who discusses race, politics and social activism with a national audience on his daily SiriusXM show, will
broadcast live from the Chicago Men of Courage forum from 7-9 p.m. CT. During the broadcast, Joe will speak with attendees and air
recorded moments from earlier in the day to bring focus to positive African American male role models, whether they are celebrities
or ‘every day citizens.’ “Joe Madison The Black Eagle” is on SiriusXM’s Urban View, channel 126.
Ford has enlisted African American leaders from across media, political, technology, sports and music arenas to encourage black
men to host similar events in their homes, houses of worship and workplaces nationwide. Notable leaders include political
commentator Van Jones; music and tech investor Troy Carter; musician and rapper Big Sean; and actor Hill Harper. So far, 1,300
groups and individuals have organized gatherings to take place in Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, South
Carolina and Texas.
Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, launched Men of Courage in Detroit in August 2015, aiming
to connect diverse black men from local communities with a growing list of advocates and celebrities working to create positive
social change for African American men. Ford Fund has joined with Sean Anderson Foundation and Dave Bing Youth Institute to promote
Men of Courage.
The program expanded to Baltimore last year for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, then Atlanta for the 2016 Father’s Day weekend at
the 100 Black Men of America National Conference.
Interview opportunities for the Chicago event are available 2-7 p.m., with the exception of 3-4:30 p.m., when there will be a
closed-door session. For media requests or to RSVP for media credentials, please contact Melody McDowell, 312.371.8917.
About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community and global partners to advance driving safety, education
and community life. Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 65 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. Ford
Driving Skills for Life is free, interactive, hands-on safety training focused on skill development and driving techniques, while
addressing inexperience, distractions and impaired driving. Innovation in education is encouraged through Ford Blue Oval Scholars,
Ford Next Generation Learning and other inspiring programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and
university grants. The Ford Volunteer Corps enlists more than 30,000 Ford employees and retirees each year to work on local
projects that strengthen their communities and improve people’s lives in more than 40 countries around the world. For more
information, visit http://community.ford.com.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about
203,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing a
full line of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively
pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides financial services
through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
About Dave Bing Youth Institute
The Bing Youth Institute support programs and activities that are designed to improve the academic, behavioral, and social
wellness of young men of color through mentorship. The Bing Youth Institute is located in Detroit, Mich., and was founded by former
Detroit Mayor, NBA Hall of Famer, and Businessman Dave Bing.
For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.
Ntouch Communications
Melody McDowell
312.371.8917
melodypr@aol.com
or
Ford Motor Company Fund
Todd Nissen
313.322.4898
tnissen@ford.com
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005723/en/