Cadillac and the GM Foundation bring FELA-bration to Detroit
Sponsored and supported by Cadillac and the GM Foundation, the Tony Award-winning musical FELA! recently made its Detroit debut.
FELA! is the true story of Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti, whose "afrobeat" rhythms ignited a generation and paved the way for much modern music. Kuti was inspired by his mother, a civil rights champion, devoting his life and music to the struggle for freedom and human dignity.
Cadillac sponsored a “Fela-bration,” gala to celebrate the musical’s opening night, attended by Kuti’s daughter Yeni.
In addition to the “Fela-bration” gala, the GM Foundation provided a grant to bring a special “High School Assembly Program” to 12 area high schools to share in the story of Kuti’s music and activism. The high school program was so well-received that FELA! organizers have used Detroit as a model to promote the show in other U.S. cities.
Supporting the Trumpet Awards’ 20th Anniversary
GM has been a longtime supporter of the Trumpet Awards and is proud to have been a part of the 20th anniversary awards celebration honoring this year’s awards recipients and Xernona Clayton’s efforts to celebrate and to tell the story of African Americans’ achievements and contributions to society.
The Trumpet Awards was created in 1993 by Turner Broadcasting but was the brainchild of Xernona and is now presented by the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc. Xernona wanted to dispel negative stereotypes of African Americans and created the Trumpet Awards as a way to showcase the achievements in fields including medicine, law, politics, public service, business and entertainment.
This year, Eric Peterson, GM’s U.S. Vice President Diversity, accepted an award on behalf of General Motors for its long time sponsorship and support of the Trumpet Awards Foundation.
Recognizing Women of Color in Music
In 2011, Chevrolet sponsored the first annual BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ & SOUL TOUR, a concert series that celebrates women of color in the alternative, rock and soul music genres. Through this partnership, BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ and Chevrolet had the opportunity to support cutting edge talent while celebrating highly regarded artists who bring the best of our music culture to the mainstream.
Making stops in Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and New York, the tour showcased dynamic established and emerging women in music. Concert attendees enjoyed a variety of talented performances by artist such as Eryka Badu aka DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown, Estelle, Be'la Dona, Rah Digga, Lil Mama, Melanie Fiona, Celebrity DJ Beverly Bond and more surprise guests.
The tour led up to the return of the highest rated cable special celebrating the brilliance of black women and the 2011 NAACP Image Award Nominee – the BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ Awards on BET Networks, which taped on October 15, 2011, in New York.
As presenting sponsor, Chevrolet showcased the all new Cruze during the series, and presented Beverly Bond, founder of BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ with a $25,000 donation to the foundation during the tour’s finale performance in New York.
Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.
In August 2011, Chevrolet brought thought leaders, elected officials, community advocates and American citizens together for a series of events that celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The project, called the Table of Brotherhood, took place in Atlanta, Memphis, Chicago and Washington, D.C. and celebrated Dr. King’s legacy through the lens of four permeating issues: education, the economy, healthcare and cultural diversity and tolerance.
Throughout the Table of Brotherhood project, people of all backgrounds and mindsets were asked to contribute their own thoughts on Dr. King’s vision. The actual Brotherhood table was designed by Scott Tucker of Raunjiba furniture and was featured as part of the tour. Although the tour has concluded, you can still leave your own thoughts on the Table of Brotherhood’s web site.
The Table of Brotherhood culminated with the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Memorial on Oct. 16, 2011. The memorial is positioned in a direct line between the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The highlight of the memorial is “The Stone of Hope,” a 30-foot likeness of Dr. King. GM, the General Motors Foundation and Chevrolet, the first corporate sponsors of this historic endeavor, have contributed more than $10 million to its development.
