Ford Motor Company Renews Partnership with 4th Annual NAACP Hollywood Symposium

·Hill Harper, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Judge Greg Mathis Address Importance of Celebrity Activism ·Debra Lee addresses BET's programming stance ·Ford Motor Company to Present $10,000 to MANifest Your Destiny Foundation

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 23, 2008 -- Ford Motor Company recently renewed its partnership with the 39th Annual NAACP Image Awards as presenting sponsor of the 4th Annual Hollywood Bureau Symposium, entitled, "Artists and Activism." This year's symposium was-- held on Monday, February 11, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre, in North Hollywood, CA. The Hollywood Bureau Symposium is one of several popular events that lead up to the live taping of the 39th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS, which took place on Thursday, February 14 on Fox Television Network.

This year's symposium panelists include; actor, Hill Harper, CSI: New York; U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, 35th District of California; Judge Greg Mathis, Judge Mathis Show; Vic Bulluck, executive director, NAACP Hollywood Bureau; Debra Lee, Chairman & CEO, Black Entertainment Television, and Dr. Darnell Hunt, director, Ralph J. Bunche Center, UCLA. The healthy discussion covered the use of "celebrity" to educate the public on issues and causes.

Guests included film and TV students from several local university and colleges, including the American Film Institute, Los Angles Film School, Loyola Marymount, Santa Monica College and UCLA. Also in attendance will be representatives from NAACP, the NAACP Image Awards Committee and members of the Television Academy.

Broadcaster Ed Gordon, host of the "Our World with Black Enterprise" TV Show on TV One, moderated the panel. The panel also discussed the impact media has on our perception of the world and its influence on our perception of others; particularly as it related to programming on networks such as BET. Following the panel presentation, students were able to ask questions of the panel participants.

"We are honored to present the NAACP Image Awards' symposium as it plays an important role in educating college students about how to maximize the many opportunities that are available in the entertainment industry," said Pamela Alexander, director, Community Development and Business Operations, Ford Motor Company Fund. "Our support of the symposium and Image Awards program continues Ford's long tradition of empowering people through education and celebrating the many accomplishments of people of color."

During the evening's symposium, Ford presented a $10,000 grant to the MANifest Your Destiny Foundation, a non-profit youth organization dedicated to empowering, encouraging and inspiring underserved youth to succeed. The Foundation's programs provide young men and women with nurturing support systems, resources, encouragement and guidance through mentorship, scholarship and grant programs. Panel participant and actor, Hill Harper, founded the foundation. This follows a grant to the F. Gary Gray Filmmaking Workshop that Ford Motor Company awarded at last year's symposium.

About Ford Motor CompanyBOUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 280,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is committed to creating opportunities that promote corporate citizenship, philanthropy, volunteerism and cultural diversity for those who live in the communities where Ford does business. Established in 1949 and made possible by Ford Motor Company profits, Ford Motor Company Fund supports initiatives and institutions that foster innovative education, auto-related safety, and American heritage and legacy. National programs include Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which provides high school students with academically rigorous 21st century learning experiences, and Driving Skills for Life, a teen-focused auto safety initiative. The Ford Volunteer Corps, established in 2005, continues Ford's legacy of caring worldwide. Through the Volunteer Corps, salaried employees, union members, retirees and their families participate in a wide range of volunteer projects in their communities. For more information on programs made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, visit www.ford.com.

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