Ford Motor Company Sponsors Usher's New Look for Fourth Consecutive Year

Ford Motor Company is sponsoring the Usher’s New Look 2013 President’s Circle Awards

Four inner-city youth leaders attended UNL’s 2013 Powered by Service program in Shanghai and Hong Kong with Ford’s support

Ford has partnered with UNL for four years to provide new opportunities to thousands of young people

DEARBORN, Mich., July 9, 2013 – Ford Motor Company today announces its continued support of Usher’s New Look as presenting sponsor of the association’s President’s Circle Awards luncheon. Usher Raymond IV will host the event July 17 at the St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Usher and UNL for the fourth consecutive year,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Ford and UNL share a commitment of empowering youth to fulfill their dreams as leaders and dynamic contributors to their communities.”

Education has been a key priority of Ford Motor Company Fund since its start more than 60 years ago. Ford Fund supports innovation in education through a variety of national programs, including Ford Next Generation Learning. This award-winning, collaborative process for community leaders seeks to improve student outcomes and workforce readiness through career academies in existing public high schools. Ford also provides more than $1 million in Blue Oval Scholarships each year.

Earlier this year Ford supported four inner-city youth leaders to join more than 100 global peers at the UNL Powered by Service program in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Ford has supported several other UNL events, starting with the 2010 World Leadership Conference.

Founded by popular singer/songwriter Usher Raymond IV, UNL trains and certifies youth in four leadership areas – talent, education, career and service – to guide their growth and community involvement. The UNL President’s Circle Awards are given in the areas of global youth leadership, service legacy, youth catalyst and servant leadership.

“We are thrilled to honor and recognize four individuals who understand the importance of motivating and inspiring youth to succeed,” said Usher Raymond IV.

As a longtime supporter, Ford’s partnership with UNL is aimed at empowering and motivating youth to create change, while providing the tools and resources needed to succeed as leaders.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 175,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

About Usher’s New Look

Established in 1999, Usher’s New Look, has trained and certified over 13,000 youth across its four leadership pillars – talent, education, career and service. Through the development of innovative programs and a culture of consistent evaluation, reflection and refinement, New Look has achieved the gold standard in leadership development and success for youth. Now in its fourteenth year, New Look has seen 100% of participating youth graduate high school and go on to college. http://ushersnewlook.org.