GM also continues to increase its commitment to HBCUs in a number of ways. They just celebrated their fifth year of their Discover the Unexpected Fellowship Program (DTU) with Chevrolet and The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), where 10 students from HBCUs interned with the NNPA to explore a variety of roles and develop skills as change agents in their communities. They also partnered with the Black Automotive Media Group and Clark Atlanta University to create The Driving Force, a 10-week, virtual field-credit internship, which incorporated mentoring sessions, writing classes, video production, and media courses for 15 students. In 2019 and 2020, they further expanded their recruitment at HBCUs with new recruiting tools and new partnerships at Morgan State and Tuskegee University, and had previously established strong relationships with North Carolina A&T and Howard University around STEM education. They have also developed a partnership with Advancing Minorities Interests in Engineering (AMIE), which represents the 15-engineering accredited HBCU’s. In addition to establishing relationships with the schools mentioned above, they have worked with other HBCU schools to find talent and deploy strategic recruiting tools and workforce strategies to build a stronger pipeline. They have direct engagement with Black Engineer of the Year, National Society of Black Engineers, and Women of Color in STEM, which has afforded them opportunities to find both interns and permanent hires for many years.
Deborah Wahl, General Motors Global Chief Marketing Officer, said, “As we aspire to be the most inclusive company in the world, GM’s success will depend on nurturing diverse talent, especially in STEM fields. Our collaboration with SWAC creates valuable connections with thriving HBCUs and their communities, and I’m proud that GM is fostering opportunities for these incredible student athletes to excel, both today and as they embark on their future careers.”
Check out some of the photos from the Bayou Classic Weekend below. Photo gallery credit: Dauphin Tales Photography (brunch/team photos) and Mike Bailey (Bayou Classic activation).
