Auto industry diversity leaders to be feted at 14th Annual Urban Wheel Awards

(December 10, 2009) On Wheels Media will honor automotive leaders who have advanced diversity throughout the industry at the 14th Annual Urban Wheel Awards (UWA) gala during Press Week of the North American International Auto Show.,. The event will be held January 12, 2010 at the new Sound Board Theatre, MotorCity Hotel in Detroit.

The evening will begin with a VIP reception promptly at 5:00 p.m. -- awards will be presented at 7:00 pm.  Video highlights of all finalists and their amazing contributions will precede the announcement of the award.

The theme for this year's show is "Stimulating Minority Business Development." In order to raise awareness of its importance, Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke and Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu are being invited to present recognition awards to auto companies. Their presence will demonstrate their commitment to the progress the auto industry has made in minority business development.

UWA attendees include more than 2,000 auto executives, media, suppliers, dealers, celebrities and community leaders. UWA honors automotive companies for their outstanding achievements in diversity and minority business development, as well as individuals in the industry, who have significantly impacted society.

"The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to individuals who have made monumental contributions to the auto industry, the community, and to diversity," said Randi Payton, president of On Wheels Media.  The awards were added to the 2010 show in order to honor those who have made a significant impact on the lives of many.
 
Recipients of Lifetime Achievement Awards include:

Susan Au Allen, president of the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce. 

Ms. Allen has been an advocate of corporate responsibility for diversity and small business in the Asian community. She also served on the Republican National committee to help reach out to minority communities, the Volvo Diversity Council, the diversity Board of the American Red Cross and many other organizations serving Asians, minority women and supplier development. Ms. Allen is also currently the National President & CEO of US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

Irma Elder, CEO, The Elder Automotive Group. 

Ms. Elder successfully transitioned from housewife to building an empire of 11 dealerships for Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, Jeep, Saab and recently Fisker. She became the first woman to own a Ford Dealership in the Detroit area, as well as one of Jaguar's most successful dealers. Ms. Elder supports many causes, including Oakland Family Services, Henry Ford Hospital and many other community organizations.

Roderick D. Gillum, (retired) vice president, Corporate Responsibility and Diversity, General Motors. 

Mr. Gillum joined General Motors in 1979. He also served in two separate capacities at Saturn Corporation, a GM subsidiary.  Mr. Gillum has been a leader in General Motors Corporate Responsibility and Diversity, where he was responsible for global corporate social responsibility initiatives which included community relations, philanthropy, business ethics, and diversity management.  He chaired the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project in Washington, D.C. as well as other GM community initiatives including the Meharry Medial study on vehicle safety for minorities, which led to the government and other companies promoting safety in minority communities.

Juanita Ragland Doby, vice president, Human Resources, Volvo Cars North America

Ms. Doby served as Diversity Executive for the Premier Automotive Group (Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo), becoming the first female vice president in the industry to impact diversity at three major auto companies.  In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the PAG Diversity Council which was the first such organization of its kind at an American automobile concern.   Through the Diversity Council's efforts, inclusiveness became integral to the operations of Ford Motor Company's Premier Automotive Group, establishing them as leaders in diversity in the American automotive industry.

Recipient of the Inaugural Urban Wheel Pioneer Award:

Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., founder and president, RainbowPUSH Coalition, Inc. 

Rev. Jackson is one of America's foremost civil rights, religious and political figures. Over the past forty years he has played a pivotal role in virtually every movement for empowerment, peace, civil rights, gender equality, and economic and social justice. Reverend Jackson has also been an advocate of minority supplier and dealership development in the auto industry. His leadership led to the establishment of several minority dealership associations and increased business for minority suppliers. Rev. Jackson will be presented the inaugural Urban Wheel Pioneer Award.

Proceeds from the UWA event benefit the Edward Davis Education Foundation (EDEF), a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization established by On Wheels Media, Inc.  The mission of EDEF is to provide scholarships, internships and mentoring to students pursuing careers in the automotive industry and communications. For more information, visit the Urban Wheel Awards web site at www.OnWheelsInc.com or contact Randi Payton at (301) 390-0468 or rpayton@onwheelsinc.com. 

 On Wheels Media, Inc. is a multi-media communications company that produces consumer-oriented print and digital publications, Websites, broadcast properties and events. Publications include the all- new DECISIVE magazine, a comprehensive multi-media platform for multicultural consumers. The company also produces African Americans On Wheels and Latinos On Wheels magazines, which are distributed in more than 100 newspapers throughout the United States and have a combined readership of 8 million. On Wheels Media also produces consumer events and launched the first automotive magazine Website (www.onwheelsinc.com) in 1995.  Visit www.onwheelsinc.com for more information and to sign up for your complimentary digital subscription.

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