Rainbow PUSH to Celebrate 15 Years of Driving Ethnic Inclusion in the Automotive Industry

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Aug 04, 2014, 08:00 ET

DETROIT, Aug. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Rainbow PUSH Automotive Project, an initiative of the Citizenship Education Fund, will celebrate 15 years of driving ethnic inclusion into automotive business practices and establishing relationships during its 15^th Annual Rainbow PUSH Global Automotive Summit on Monday, October 13, 2014, at the MGM Grand Detroit Hotel in Detroit, MI. Over 500 automotive executives, entrepreneurs, suppliers, dealers, consumers, government and elected officials, advertising agencies, automotive manufacturers, media outlets and others will convene to discuss strengthening and creating opportunities in the automotive industry for people of color.

This year's milestone theme: "Driving Ethnic Inclusion in the Global Automotive Expansion" - Celebrating a 15-Year Journey Promoting Equal Opportunities for People of Color will be a commemorative conference. We will reflect upon the Summit's direction and achievements, assessing its impact and progress in improving diversity practices and efforts in the automotive industry; while driving efforts to create future opportunities for the growing ethnic market. "Progress has been made by some automotive companies who know and understand the importance of ethnic consumers and business owners, but more can and must be done to yield parity and growth for people of color," says Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., president and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

This year's Summit highlight topic conversations will include: "Has Diversity Become a Diversion for African Americans?" during the Leadership Town Hall Breakfast; and "Automotive CEO's Speak on the Positive Effects of an All-Inclusive Ethnic Minority Business Environment" during the Business and Education Luncheon panel discussion. The summit will conclude by recognizing Automotive Living Legends and Emerging Leaders who are the pioneers and up and coming trailblazers in the automotive industry.

"It is our belief that when the rules are public and the goals are clear; then we all have a chance to win in economic justice. Therefore, we must create a new narrative that drives home the relevance of the emerging minorities," says Rev. Jackson. "Automakers must institutionalize diversity practices throughout their companies in order to attract and retain talent, pay closer attention to its suppliers, distributors and dealers; share in the billions of dollars spent on advertising and marketing and respect the African American consumer."

National sponsors for the Summit include: Ford, General Motors and Toyota. For more information about the conference, visit www.rainbowpush.org. The Early Bird conference registration discount ends August 31, 2014.

About Rainbow PUSH Coalition
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition is a progressive organization protecting, defending and expanding civil rights to improve economic and educational opportunity. The organization is headquartered at 930 E. 50^th Street in Chicago. For more information about the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, please visit www.rainbowpush.org. Follow Rainbow PUSH Coalition on social media @RPCoalition.

SOURCE Rainbow PUSH Coalition