• Ford commemorates Charles H. Wright Museum’s 50^th Anniversary with keys to a Ford Transit van to be used for educational outreach programs throughout the city
• Ford and actor Blair Underwood host exclusive museum members lounge to stimulate sale of Wright Museum memberships on site
• Over $10 million in program support donated by Ford during the last two decades

DETROIT, Oct., 10, 2015 - Ford Motor Company on Saturday celebrated its long-standing support of the Charles H. Wright Museum by donating a new Ford Transit van in honor of the museum’s 50^th Anniversary Gala. The vehicle will be used to assist the museum in transporting individuals participating in educational outreach programs throughout the city. 

The theme of the gala, which culminated a seven-month celebration of key events this year, was “An Experience You Won't Forget, a History You'll Always Remember.”

“Ford has been a proud partner with the Wright Museum for several decades,” said Pamela Alexander, director of community development with the Ford Motor Company Fund, and event co-chairman. “We are honored to make this continued investment in educating adults and children alike about the culture of the African and African American experience. We applaud them for the great work they do.”

As part of the event, Ford and actor Blair Underwood are hosting an exclusive lounge for members of the Wright Museum. Those who purchased museum memberships that evening received a commemorative bracelet as a special gift.

The company and Ford Motor Company Fund, its charitable arm, have been major donors and partners since the museum’s move to its current location at 315 E. Warren in Detroit. Ford was instrumental in assisting with fundraising and land expertise during building construction. In April of 1997, the 125,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility opened, making it the largest African American historical museum in the world. Over the past two decades Ford has donated over $10 million dollars to the museum.

This museum houses the Ford Freedom Rotunda and the Ring of Genealogy, a 37-foot terrazzo tile creation by artist Hubert Massey surrounded by bronze nameplates of prominent African Americans in history. 

“The support of Ford Motor Company and Pamela Alexander, our gala co-chair and museum trustee, have been pillars for The Wright Museum during our entire 50^th anniversary year, beginning with Oh, Freedom! in March, the annual Ford Freedom Award and African World Festival programs, and culminating with The Wright Gala,” said Juanita Moore, president and CEO of the Charles H. Wright Museum. “For much of our first half-century, Ford has been a steadfast champion for the museum. We have the utmost gratitude for their dedication and genuine commitment to our mission as we, together, celebrate African American history and culture.”

Since 1999, Ford Motor Company has underwritten one of the museum's major fundraisers, the Ford Freedom Award, now entering its 18th year. The award is presented in a particular category such as education, sports, music or technology to a noteworthy contributor in African American history, and that person is honored posthumously along with a living scholar in the same field. The honorees receive nameplate installation in the Ring of Genealogy. 

Ford Motor Company's support of the African American community dates back to the early 20th century when Ford was the largest employer of African Americans in the auto industry. Ford is building on that century-long support with other signature initiatives that include a $1 million donation to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History, a $1 million donation to the National Civil Rights Museum, as well as millions of dollars in scholarships, programs, and other educational initiatives that span coast to coast.