12th Annual Ford Freedom Award Program Celebrates Entrepreneurs
Honors John H. Johnson, Usher Raymond IV

2010 event honors The Empire Builder, John H. Johnson and The Dream Maker, Usher Raymond IV

This year’s ceremony will recognize achievements by African American entrepreneurs

Event benefits Detroit’s Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

April 29, 2010, DETROIT, MI – Two of the nation’s most influential and successful African American entrepreneurs will be honored at the 12th annual Ford Freedom Award program on Thursday, May 6. The late John H. Johnson, “The Empire Builder” and Usher Raymond IV, “The Dream Maker” will be recognized for their outstanding achievements and groundbreaking accomplishments. The day-long event includes a scholar’s lecture for more than 1,500 invited middle school students beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Detroit’s Music Hall and a ticketed evening gala and program at 6:00 p.m. at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

John H. Johnson, founder and publisher of Johnson Publishing, producers of Jet and Ebony magazines, will receive the Ford Freedom Award posthumously; and Usher Raymond IV, famously known as Usher and chairman and founder of Usher’s New Look Foundation, has been named the Ford Freedom Award Scholar. Kevin Frazier, weekend anchor and correspondent of Entertainment Tonight, and local WXYZ-TV host Chuck Stokes will once again serve as emcees of the evening gala.

“John H. Johnson and Usher epitomize the meaning of the Ford Freedom Award”, said Ziad Ojakli, group vice president, Government and Community Relations, Ford Motor Company. “Their achievements have benefited the individual lives of many, and communities for us all. We are thrilled to have them as this years honorees and to celebrate their commitment and passion”.

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, in partnership with Ford Motor Company, launched the Ford Freedom Award program in 1999. The concept of the program is to create a forum to celebrate and recognize individuals whose achievements brought lasting and positive change for African Americans and the world.

“We applaud Ford Motor Company for its continued support of the Ford Freedom Award program because education is at the center of our Museum’s mission”, said Juanita Moore, president and CEO of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. “Therefore, as we recognize John H. Johnson for his groundbreaking accomplishments in business and journalism, it is our privilege to add his name to the Museum’s Ring of Genealogy and also to take this moment to recognize Usher Raymond IV for his entrepreneurship and commitment to helping the youth of this nation.”

The Ford Freedom honoree is presented posthumously to a distinguished African American who has dedicated their life to improving the African American community and the world at large through their chosen field. The Ford Freedom Award Scholar is presented to an African American who has excelled on a national or international level in the field of the Ford Freedom Award Honoree. The Scholar serves as a living legacy that has furthered those achievements for a new generation.

The Award program consists of three components:

Scholar’s Lecture: Education is a key component of the Ford Freedom program and a key role of the Ford Freedom Scholar is to address nearly 1,500 grade-school Detroit-area students about the achievements of the Ford Freedom Award Honoree and to share their thoughts and experiences in an effort to inspire and engage future leaders. Kyle and Christopher Massey, stars of Disney Channel’s “That’s So Raven” and Cory in the House, will emcee this year’s event.

There also is a Ford Freedom Award Essay Contest that reaches out to 2,000 Michigan students in Grades 4 to 8 who participate in this annual program. Winners will receive their awards during the Ford Freedom Award Scholar’s Lecture.

Ford Freedom Gala Reception: This black-tie strolling dinner and awards presentation recognizes and celebrates the Ford Freedom Award Honoree and Scholar, and includes a video tribute to both recipients. In addition, a brass nameplate bearing the Honoree’s name is unveiled. The nameplate will be installed in the Museum’s Ford Freedom Rotunda.

For additional event information and tickets, call 313-494-5800 or visit www.maah-detroit.org.