Ford Partners With UNCF to Bring the HBCU Empower Me Tour With Hill Harper to Students

  Makes Stop at Bennett College for Women on February 7, 2009

  WHAT:  Ford and the United Negro College Fund's 2008 HBCU Empower Me Tour
         with Hill Harper will touch down at Bennett College for Women on
         Saturday, February 7th. The HBCU Empower Me Tour is designed to
         empower a movement among all young people and motivate them toward
         academic excellence and personal responsibility. Ford team members
         will be on hand to provide information on Ford multicultural
         programs and enrichment opportunities including the 2009 Ford HBCU
         Business Classic and the 2009 Ford Roadies Program.

         Visit www.empowermetour.org for complete tour information.

         Ford HBCU Business Classic:
         The Ford HBCU Business Classic (FHBC) is a business initiative
         designed to promote entrepreneurship within the HBCU community. The
         Classic is open to students who attend one of the 118 HBCU
         institutions full or part time. College juniors and seniors
         participate in a $100,000 business plan writing scholarship
         competition. Visit www.fordhbcu.com for more information.

         2008 Ford Black College Road Trip Program:
         The Ford Black College Road Trip is an initiative where two recent
         HBCU graduates are chosen to travel across the country in a Ford
         vehicle where they serve as goodwill community ambassadors while
         visiting and taking part in HBCU football games across the country.
         While on the road, the Roadies will meet with young people
         throughout the country, talk with them about the importance of
         higher education and share stories about their own HBCU experience.
         The program kicks off each fall and runs until the Bayou Classic in
         New Orleans. For more information on the 2008 Ford Black College
         Road Trip be sure to visit www.fordroadtrip.com

  WHEN:  Saturday, February 7 @ Sheraton Four Points - Imperial Ball Room
         3121 High Point Road, Greensboro, NC
         9:00 AM - 10:00 AM EST - Empower Me Tour Zone
         10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST - A Conversation with Hill Harper

         Additional 2008 - 2009 Tour Stops:

         Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC   February 21, 2009
         Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL      March 14, 2009
         Xavier University, New Orleans, LA           April 18, 2009
         Benedict College, Columbia, SC               May 23, 2009

  Commitment to Education

For more than 40 years, Ford Motor Company has been a major supporter of the hopes and dreams of HBCU students. In the last six years alone, Ford has donated over $10 million to Black colleges and universities.