photo by steed media service

There was a famine of goodwill and community investment into urban Los Angeles after it erupted in social upheaval in 1991, and many companies performed a mass exodus out of the smoldering city that was sweltering with ethnic strife. Toyota Motor Sales, however, rode against the grain of discontent and powered the Los Angeles Urban League Automotive Training Center. That nationally recognized, $10 million program was the foundation of a fruitful relationship that continues to this day, says Jerome Miller.

“The Urban League means simply to me, as I look at it from a professional standpoint, is really helping to grow our various communities, helping to grow and develop entrepreneurs, who can not only contribute to their own success, but can play an active part really in the growth and development of our youth. And [it is for] those who have lived for a long time who may not have had a chance to be contributing members of this society that we all live in,” says Miller, the vice president of diversity and inclusion for the Torrance, Calif.-based company.

Miller, who was in St. Louis for the National Urban League annual convention, says Toyota strives “to do more together now and going forward,” even though Toyota has already contributed $41 million overall to various Urban League initiatives. And if it is left to Miller, his proclamation will prove prophetic because the organization has deep personal meaning for him.

“What the Urban League means to me personally, is to see friends and colleagues of mine who make progress in ways beyond their dreams or you ever could have told them — that they, too, can contribute to this society and to make life better in the communities in which they live.” terry shropshire


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