By James T. Turner
DIGEST Staff Reporter
Are they there yet?
For participants in Ford’s “Black College Road Trip,” they’ll finally reach the final destination of their journey in New Orleans.
The “Black College Road Trip,” a six-year-old program instituted by Ford Motor Company, showcases the newest Ford vehicle as part of a cause-marketing, community-based outreach program. The program links the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities to the communities in which they serve.
This year’s “Roadies” feature Ashley Patton, a graduate of Southern University and Derrick Miles, a graduate of Alabama State University.
“Detroit was the kick off city and it had to be one of the most exciting stops because it was our very first stop. It was where Ford headquarters are located,” Patton said. “We had a chance to meet executives and we also got a tour of the company. But the most exciting stop will be the wrap up, which is the Bayou Classic.”
The Roadies started traveling on a 13-week journey to 10 of the largest HBCU football games around the country, ending in New Orleans for the State Farm Bayou Classic.
“Ford’s Black College Road Trip provides a platform for me to encourage others to continue this rich HBCU legacy of education throughout our communities,” Miles said. “I cannot thank Ford enough for providing me with this opportunity.”
While on the road, the Roadies have been involved in a number of projects, including being activists, as well as informing and helping young people to see the importance of obtaining a college degree.
Both said they have visited local middle schools and have provided $12,000 worth of school supplies to the students. Additionally, the participants have delivered food through the Meals-On-Wheels program and visited families at local Ronald McDonald Houses.
Being on the road for such a long period of time, the overall transportation capability and performance would be a factor, but luckily the interns have been given the opportunity to travel around in the all-new 2007 Ford Expedition EL, which was customized by none other than FunkMaster Flex.
“I have customized this 2007 Expedition for the ultimate tailgate experience,” Flex said. “From the Battle of the Bands to the game-winning touchdown, this custom Ford Expedition will stop traffic while the Roadies are on tour.”
Patton agrees that the experience has been a rewarding one.
“This is an awesome opportunity. I would encourage any graduate, anyone with coming from a Mass Communications or Marketing background to apply for this internship,” she said. “We work directly with public relations firms and the rewards from this intern have been unlike any other intern that I’ve ever had.