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Ford Motor Company, Charles H. Wright Museum Of African American History To Present Ford Freedom Awards On May 21

Ford Motor Company and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will posthumously honor Nelson Mandela, along with Myrlie Evers-Williams and retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson. The event, which will commemorate the 16th anniversary of the Ford Freedom Award program, is set to take place Wednesday, May 21st at 19:00 (7 p.m.) at the Music Hall Center for the Performance Arts in Detroit.

The theme this year — the Power of Perseverance — salutes Mandela — the late former president of South Africa, Evers-Williams — the civil rights activist, and Jefferson — the Tuskegee Airman and World War II prisoner of war for their humility, commitment and contribution to the African-American community.

“Today we honor three African Americans who have persevered in the name of basic human rights for all people,” said Ziad Ojakli, group vice president, government and community relations, Ford Motor Company. “Their lives and legacies challenge us all to do more to make a difference in the world and in our own community.”

2014 Ford Freedom Award Honoree, Nelson Mandela

As the 2014 Ford Freedom Award honoree, Mandela will be remembered as an antiapartheid activist who spent more than 25 years in prison before becoming the first black president of South Africa.

2014 Ford Freedom Award Scholar, Myrlie Evers-Williams

The 2014 Ford Freedom Award scholar is civil rights activist and author Evers-Williams. For 30 years, Evers-Williams struggled to ensure the killer of her late husband, civil rights activist Medgar Evers, was brought to justice. She is being honored for her actions that inspire equal justice for all.

Special Award Recipient, Lt. Col. Jefferson

A special award will be presented to retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jefferson. A member of the famous 332nd Fighter Group, the Tuskegee Airmen, Jefferson was captured by the Nazis in World War II and held captive as a prisoner of war.

Evers-Williams will address nearly 1,600 elementary and middle-school students from around the state as part of the Ford Freedom Award educational outreach. The 2014 Ford Freedom Award scholarship finalists will also be presented during the program. For the sixth year, former Disney star and Dancing with the Stars contestant Kyle Massey and his brother, actor Chris Massey, will serve as masters of ceremony for the scholars lecture.

As part of the celebration, local Detroiters will also be honored for their perseverance. The evening reception and award program will include a special tribute concert performance by Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards.

“Perseverance, the fortitude to overcome against all odds, is a hallmark of the African-American experience,” says Juanita Moore, president and CEO of the Wright Museum. “One would be hard-pressed to find two individuals who better exemplify this virtue than the late President Nelson Mandela and Myrlie Evers-Williams.”

About The Awards

The Ford Freedom Award honoree is a distinguished African American who dedicated his or her life to improving the African-American community and the world at large through the arts, humanities, religion, business, politics, sports, science, entertainment or other field. The award is presented posthumously.

The Ford Freedom Award scholar is an African American who has excelled on a national or international level in that individual’s chosen field. The scholar serves as a living legacy, carrying forth the ideals of the honoree and furthering those achievements for a new generation.

The Ford Freedom Award program is made possible by a grant from Ford Motor Company. Proceeds will benefit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Ticket prices are as follows:

  • $40 per person, or $35 for Wright Museum members
  • $75 for a special VIP meet-and-greet, which includes an afterglow experience and photo opportunity with the honorees

Additional event and ticket information is available at the Music Hall box office at 313.887.8581 or at www.fordfreedomaward.com.

News editor focusing on business, financial, and sales coverage who loves anything on wheels, especially if it's fast.

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