Chevrolet – the innovative and preeminent builder of cars, trucks, and electric vehicles – returns on Saturday, Oct. 21, as a presenting sponsor of the 2023 Taste of Soul Family Festival.
Chevrolet, the proud sponsor of the Bakewell Media “Music for the Soul” Stage, is bringing incredible R&B musicians known to implore you to get your groove on against the backdrop of a beautiful line of Chevy cars and trucks. Nothing says fall like the Taste of Soul and its partner, Chevrolet. It’s truck season, after all.
This year, the 1970s/80s soul groups the Delfonics and the Whispers will grace the Bakewell Media “Music for the Soul” Stage. A trip down memory lane is in store for most, and an introduction to their smooth, soulful, and funky sounds for others. Their songs have stood the test of time. And for Chevrolet, the Taste of Soul Festival is a match made in heaven.
“We get to partner and interact with the Black community in Los Angeles, our western region of dealers, the National Newspapers Publishers Association, and enjoy wonderful music, cuisine, and art.” It’s a perfect day for sure, and Chevrolet gets to introduce and educate festivalgoers about the Chevy brand.
According to GM Multicultural Marketing Manager Charles Chapman, the Chevy brand is “consistent and intentional” for communities of color. “Chevrolet is not a company that shows up once, and that’s it. We are not a one-and-done company,” Chapman said.
“We show up because we value the business of Black people. We have products for every stage of life: fresh out of college, new families, empty nesters, and retirees.”
This year, Chevrolet will showcase their 2023 Chevy Silverado and the 2023 Chevy Colorado. The Chevy team is also excited to discuss their electric vehicles. According to the company’s research, Blacks are late adopters of electric cars because of a lack of knowledge.
Chevy wants to change that. The company’s mantra – “EVs for Everyone,” is more than just a slogan. It is a campaign aimed to educate consumers about all things electric. “We want to demystify ownership of electric vehicles,” Chapman said.
And that’s not all Chevrolet is committed to. Seven years ago, Chevrolet and the National Newspaper Publication Association, under the leadership of Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, launched “Discover the Unexpected” (DTU), a 10-week immersive internship explicitly designed for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The students gather in Detroit to learn about advancements in the automotive industry and receive corporate insights in marketing communications and content creation. HBCU graduates provide mentorship and share insights and encouragement throughout the process. Television personality Terrence Jenkins (known as Terrence J) has served as an ambassador for three years.
“As a proud HBCU graduate, I am thrilled to collaborate with Chevrolet and the NNPA again to uplift the next generation of talented journalists, marketers, and content creators.”
DTU has provided 59 HBCU students from 22 different schools with more than $750,00 in scholarships and stipends.
NNPA President and CEO Dr. Chavis enthusiastically praised the collaboration with Chevrolet, describing it as “fruitful” as they mentor the “next generation of aspiring journalists and infuse our newspapers with great talent,” Chavis said.
Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., founder and creator of Taste of Soul and Bakewell Media Chairman, applauds Chevrolet’s continued involvement and commitment to the Taste of Soul Family Festival.
“Chevrolet’s sponsorship and continued commitment to the Taste of Soul and, more importantly, the Black community aligns with the core principles of all that I hoped the festival would offer,” said Bakewell.
To learn more about the Chevrolet Discover the Unexpected fellowship and Chevy products, visit https://www.nnpa.org/chevydtu and Chevrolet.com.
