Ford Targets HBCU Students as Part of Unique Community Challenge Competition

By Michelle Matthews-Alexander

Are you a student attending a Historically Black College and University who’s interested in giving back to both your community and your university? If so, Ford is inviting you to enter the Ford Community Challenge Competition for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

The competition, which was developed in partnership with Ford Motor Company and the Ford Motor Company Fund will award up to $75,000 in scholarships, university and community grants to the first-place student team and its project.

The Ford HBCU Community Challenge is an extension of one of the Ford Fund’s signature educational programs, The Ford College Community Challenge. The new program, conducted in partnership with the “Tom Joyner” and “Rickey Smiley Morning Shows,” encourages HBCU students to design community projects that address pressing local needs. The program’s theme is “Building Sustainable Communities.”

As part of the program, students are encouraged to creatively address a tangible, unmet community need that touches at least one of these four areas: Mobility, Alternative Energy, Sustainability/Water and Systematic Approaches to Meeting Community Needs. Scholarships will be awarded to the student team, and community grants will be awarded to nonprofits to support implementation of the winning projects.

The four teams with the best ideas will be flown to Ford World Headquarters in December to present their ideas for final judging.

“We are thrilled to be able to continue in our efforts to support students attending HBCUs with the launch of this program,” said Shawn Thompson, manager, Ford Multicultural Marketing. “This program will allow students to make a difference in their education, schools and ultimately their communities.”

Interested students can learn more about and enter the competition by visiting www.blackamericaweb.com/hbcuchallenge  or www.rickeysmileymorningshow.com/hbcuchallenge between now and Nov. 10.

“Ford Fund is committed to empowering future leaders through community programs,” said Pamela Alexander, director Community Development, Ford Motor Company Fund.  “We are truly excited to partner with the Tom Joyner and Ricky Smiley morning shows to bring this new and innovative initiative to the HBCU community. We are eagerly looking forward to receiving and reviewing the ideas this fall. ”

So, what are you waiting for? Be sure to enter the competition today.