Ford CEO Hackett to Speak at Rainbow PUSH Global Auto Summit

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Oct 03, 2017, 10:28 ET

DETROIT, Oct. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ford CEO and President Jim Hackett, will join Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., founder and president of Rainbow PUSH Coalition, for the Leadership Breakfast discussion themed, "The New Normal: Positioning Businesses for the Browning of America" at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, October 20, 2017 at the MGM Grand Detroit. The breakfast kicks off the 18th Annual Rainbow PUSH Global Automotive Summit, the largest gathering in the auto industry for people of color.

The high-powered discussion will be moderated by James Lowry, senior advisor at Boston Consulting.

"CEO Hackett is well regarded for bold corporate culture change that bolsters competitiveness," notes Jackson. "That is why I look forward to our candid conversation on how the auto industry can make the best use of opportunities presented by the increased browning of America."

Through this dialog, Rainbow PUSH Automotive Project, an initiative of Citizenship Education Fund, will dissect the socio-economic imperative of minority executives and entrepreneurs, and explore ways to boost business competitiveness as the American marketplace continues its "browning" journey.

In addition to the Leadership Breakfast, this year's Summit will include panels that explore opportunities for people of color in various areas of the auto industry, including dealerships, human resources, autonomous vehicles and advertising and marketing.

It will also include a panel that features vice presidents of global purchasing from five automotive manufacturers, who, collectively, are responsible for hundreds of billions of dollars in global purchases each year.

Additionally, Dikobe Ben Martins, South Africa's deputy minister of public enterprises, will give remarks.

About Organizers
The Rainbow PUSH Automotive Project encourages and engenders the full and equitable participation of minorities in the growth and well-being of the global automotive industry. By creating meaningful awareness, fostering knowledge and understanding and facilitating functional partnerships and healthy collaborations, the Automotive Project enables minorities to participate fully in employment, procurement, marketing, advertising, dealer development and board membership opportunities.

For more information, please visit http://automotiveproject.org.

SOURCE Rainbow PUSH Coalition