Detroit is the "motor" city capital of the world. When cars are selling well, that's a good thing. Since the auto industry has suffered over the last few years, so has Detroit - and especially those communities that rely heavily on them for economic survival.
"We are at a crossroads for the automotive industry and the loss of automotive jobs and businesses is leading to the elimination of wealth in the minority communities," said Rev. Jesse Jackson, the organized of the Summit, which is in its 12th year.
Leaders candidly discuss the current state of the economy and the economic impact that the automotive industry (and it's decline) has had on the community on Thursday, October 5 and 6, 2011at the MGM Grand Detroit in Detroit, Michigan.
Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s Automotive Project has convened the automotive summit annually since 1999 to explore how automotive issues impact minority and women suppliers, dealers, employees, manufacturers and corporate governance.
The goal is to level the economic playing field for minorities and women stakeholders in the automotive, technology and advertising/marketing industries.
Rainbow Push Coalition was formed in December 1996 by Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. through the merging of two organizations he founded earlier, People United to Serve Humanity (PUSH, 1971) and the Rainbow Coalition (1984). With headquarters in Chicago and offices in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles and New York, they work to make the American Dream a reality for all and advocate for peace and justice around the world.
The automotive environment has changed dramatically within the past two years. Competition is fierce and expectations have increased on both sides. The shrinking group of minority auto suppliers is losing exponentially with the recent automotive restructuring.
Louis Green, President/CEO of the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, who will be at the Summit, is committed to supplier diversity. "The Summit will discuss how minority businesses are stepping up to the challenge and we will hear directly from Procurement executives as to what's next," said Green.
For details on all the panels and roundtables go to: http://rainbowpush.org/
The Automotive Project promotes full and equal participation in the economic growth of the global automotive industry for people of color by forging partnerships within the industry so we may work together to ensure the fair participation of minorities at every level of involvement. This includes employment, management, procurement, marketing, dealership development, finance, technology and board representation.
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