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

  Makes Stop at Johnson C. Smith University on February 21, 2009

  WHAT:       Ford and the United Negro College Fund's 2008 HBCU Empower Me
              Tour with Hill Harper will touch down at Johnson C. Smith
              University on Saturday, February 21st. 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 21 @ University Park Baptist Church
              6029 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC
              11:00 AM - 2:00 PM EST- Gymnasium - Empower Me Tour Zone
              2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST- Sanctuary - A Conversation with Hill

              Additional 2008 - 2009 Tour Stops:

              Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL         April 4, 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.