photo by steed media service

The Ford Motor Company already established as a premier American vehicle manufacturer, is also as a corporation that significantly supports the communities it serves as well. The automaker has re-instituted the annual Ford Black College Road Trip to increase awareness of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The 10-city tour will make stops at HBCU classics and college homecomings over a 13-week period.

HBCU graduates Opal Maybry, a communications major from Southern University, and Jamal Lateef Wallace of Livingstone College, were dubbed ‘Ford Roadies’ and selected to drive over 10,000 miles in a 2008 Ford Expedition Extended Length Suburban. The SUV was customized by Funk Master Flex to promote the academic and cultural value of HBCUs.

“We spend a week in each city and we participate in community service and promotional work. We visit the communities’ YMCA’s, Boys and Girls Clubs, and junior and senior high schools, too. It’s a way to share our experiences and our message about the importance of education and possibly inspire people to go to college, hopefully, [at] an HBCU if they aspire to,” explains Maybry.

Maybry learned about the opportunity through HBCUconnect.com and is thrilled that she was one of the lucky ones chosen. “I’m really excited I got the position because we’re getting across to high school graduates that HBCUs are a good choice and you can be successful going to an HBCU. ... There are a lot of great things and people that come out of HBCUs,” concludes Maybry. - jason thompson

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