Ford Motor Company and the Detroit Branch NAACP Host The 4th Annual Career Day & Youth Summit
Detroit Lions' Robert Porcher is 2004 Guest Speaker
$20,000 in Scholarships Awarded to Area Students
DETROIT, April 9 -- Ford Motor Company has once again teamed with the Detroit Branch NAACP to host the 4th Annual Career Day & Youth Summit on Saturday, April 24th at the COBO Conference/Exhibition Center in downtown Detroit. The event, held in conjunction with Freedom Weekend, will feature Detroit Lion's defensive end and three-time Pro-Bowler Robert Porcher as the guest speaker.
The Career Day & Youth Summit is the brainchild of Ford Motor Company's African Ancestry Network (FAAN) and the Detroit Branch NAACP. The idea is to create a forum where young people can learn some of the steps necessary to assist them in preparing for their future.
"Many students approach high school graduation unsure of the career options that are before them," said Floyd Washington, Jr., Director of Civic Affairs and Community Development at Ford Motor Company Fund. "Ford is proud to sponsor this event because we believe that information is power, and at the Career Day and Youth Summit, students will have access to information and activities that will enhance and expand their career options. The more knowledge young adults have, the better informed they will be to make the best decisions for their future-whether going into the workforce or attending college."
Highlights of the event include a Career and College Fair that boasts more than thirty (30) exhibitors. Students ages 15-25 will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with recruiters from historically black colleges and universities from around the country.
They will also be exposed to various career opportunities inside and outside of the auto industry, ranging from manufacturing and engineering to finance and human resources. The Summit also features several workshops focusing on issues such as Financial Management, Interviewing Techniques, Entrepreneurship and Health Awareness.
In addition, Ford will award $20,000 in scholarships to the winners of its Essay/Presentation Contest. The topic for the competition is "Brown v. the Board of Education: A Half Century Later, How Far Have We Come?" Ford will announce the 12 winners who will receive scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 at the Career Day & Youth Summit. The deadline to submit entries is Tuesday, April 13. For more information, call 313-203-7038 or email Careerday@campbellco.com .
The featured speaker for the event is Detroit Lions' defensive end Robert Porcher, Number 91. Porcher, a committed community activist, is involved in several worthwhile organizations. He founded Robert Porcher & Friends Invitational Charities which supports community activities both in Metro Detroit and in his home state of South Carolina. He and his wife, Kimberly, also established the Robert and Kimberly Porcher Cancer Research and Relief Fund in conjunction with the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. The fund assists patients and their families who struggle with emotional and financial issues due to cancer.
The 4th Annual Career Day & Youth Summit begins with check-in and a complimentary breakfast at 7:00 a.m., and ends at 2:30 p.m. There is no charge for admission. A complimentary lunch will be provided.
Students and their parents are urged to attend. Interested students and parents can pre-register at www.campbellco.com/careerday/ or send an email to CareerDay@campbellco.com .
Ford Motor Company Fund supports programs that enhance and enrich the communities where Ford Motor Company does business. Ford Motor Company Fund is committed to creating educational opportunities that stimulate creativity and promote cultural diversity. In 2003, Ford Motor Company Fund dedicated more than $80 million to educational initiatives, cultural sponsorships, performing arts events, and university scholarships and programs geared towards school children. For more information on programs made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund visit www.ford.com .
