Ford Motor Company Fund is celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day by launching a national initiative around Men of Courage – a program that honors and amplifies the accomplishments of African American men with the goal of strengthening communities and creating positive social change.
The initiative consists of a national contest of inspirational stories from which Ford will select a winner to honor at Ford Freedom Awards May 17 in Detroit. Ford Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford, is also developing a free online curriculum and teaching guide that profiles 20 prominent African American men. The program seeks to enable junior and secondary high school students to create visions for success. Visit www.MenOfCourage.com for contest and curriculum information.
Ford Men of Courage © Ford Motor Company
The national contest is being launched as part of a Men of Courage gathering at Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture in Baltimore. Ford, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, and 100 Black Men of America convened a diverse group of 60 black men ranging in age from 17 to 70 for a daylong forum of storytelling, visioning and developing plans for action.
“Ford has a long history of supporting the African American community and is a trusted source when it comes to building communities,” said forum participant Burt Jordan, Ford vice president, Global Vehicle and Powertrain Purchasing & Supplier Diversity. “Men of Courage has the power to bring together African American men in a way that will positively impact people throughout the country.”
Group members have made more than 300 commitments to provide social and financial capital to projects honoring black men. These include support for a yearlong program at Reginald F. Lewis Museum around the theme Year of the Black Male, which explores past, present and future issues facing black men. Members also have pledged to help scale Shop Talk – a monthly panel discussion; the series was developed by Sebastian Jackson, a Detroit-based entrepreneur and owner of Social Grooming, an innovative barbershop and community meeting place.
Ford Men of Courage © Ford Motor Company
“I believe we have the talent and skills to solve today’s social challenges right in our own communities,” said Calvin G. Butler Jr., CEO, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. “Men of Courage is an important program because it provides support to those who are developing solutions, and gives our young people a guide to how they can create a brighter future for themselves.”
Launched as a pilot program in Detroit last year, Men of Courage connects diverse black men from local communities with a growing list of renowned advocates and celebrities. Together, these groups seek to support one another and align to build relationships in an effort to help improve the perception of African American men in society.
“After being a part of the Men of Courage pilot program and witnessing the benefits of uplifting our community, I am proud to lend my voice and take this effort to the national level,” said Big Sean, Grammy-nominated multi-platinum-selling artist.
Ford is also continuing to work with former Detroit mayor and NBA Hall of Famer Dave Bing to elevate positive stories from a range of audiences.
The company’s support of the African American community dates back to the early 20th century when Ford was the largest employer of African Americans in the auto industry. Now, with signature initiatives including Men of Courage, the annual Ford Freedom Awards and Historically Black Colleges & Universities Community Challenge, Ford is building on that support.
