Chrysler Group Joins Essence to Honor the Achievements Of Exceptional African-Americans

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 21 The Theatre at Madison Square
Garden in New York City was the place to be on Friday, April 27, 2001.  More
than 6,000 people attended The Essence Awards 2001 as Essence Magazine
celebrated the "Courage and Tenacity" of honorees such as actor Samuel L.
Jackson, tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams and human rights activist
Randall Robinson.
    Chrysler Group returned as the exclusive domestic automotive sponsor of
the Awards program.
    "Chrysler Group is proud to sponsor The Essence Awards for the seventh
consecutive year and to celebrate the courage, strength and dedication of
exceptional African-Americans," said Debra Nelson, Senior Marketing
Communications Manager for Chrysler Group.  "Through the sheer force of their
personalities, grit and tenacity, these remarkable men and women have overcome
hardships, transformed their lives and impacted the lives of others around
them."
    "We also pay tribute to Essence magazine as the preeminent lifestyle
magazine for African-American women -- a very important consumer segment for
Chrysler Group.  Essence is transforming the world's view of African-American
women and giving us all the courage to make positive changes in ourselves,"
Nelson said.
    In addition to hosting the pre-awards reception, Chrysler Group showcased
its commercial for the Chrysler Sebring on large video screens inside the
theatre.  Titled "Indigo Nights," the commercial features gospel singer
Yolanda Adams, R&B vocalist Angie Stone and jazz stylist Nnenna Freelon,
touting the class, style and sophistication of the Chrysler Sebring sedan,
coupe and convertible.
    Chrysler Group is a frequent and significant contributor to programs that
support the African-American community, including the recently held NAACP
Image Awards, the Chrysler Group Dreambuilder Celebration, which supports
African-American screenwriters and the Woodholme Foundation Celebrity Weekend,
which raises funds to provide college tuition, housing and tutoring assistance
to at-risk high school seniors.
    Additionally, the Chrysler Group sponsors the "Motion Through Art"
contest, an annual competition that challenges artists to create artwork
depicting positive African-American lifestyles developed around a Chrysler
Group vehicle.
    First held in 1987, The Essence Awards was created to highlight the
contributions of African-American community leaders and has become one of the
top awards shows in the U.S.  The show airs May 24 on FOX.

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