At Ford, every month is Black History Month. But rather than merely reflecting upon Black History, Ford makes Black History. Since the days of Henry Ford’s pronouncement of a five dollar a day wage for all workers––a decision that many feel led to the creation of the Black middle class––to today, when African-Americans hold some of the top positions in the company, Ford continually drives Black History forward in a compelling way.

Tony Brown, group vice president, Global Purchasing

One of the highest-ranking corporate executives anywhere in America today is Tony Brown, Ford’s group vice president of Global Purchasing. Brown is responsible for approximately $90 billion of production and non-production procurement for Ford operations worldwide. Interestingly, Ford’s first African-American executive, Eugene Collins, hired in 1919, was also in charge of purchasing.

Bennie Fowler, group vice president, Global Quality

Bennie Fowler, group vice president, Global Quality, has responsibility for driving quality processes and discipline throughout the design and production of Ford vehicles. He is also responsible for new model launches in North America and ensuring alignment with Product Development.

Felicia Fields, group VP, Human Resources and Corporate Services

Felicia Fields, can trace three generations of her family’s history at Ford. Her paternal grandfather retired from the Wixom Assembly Plant in Wixom, Michigan, and in 1986, her father retired as general supervisor from the National Parts Distribution Center in Livonia, Michigan. As group vice president for Human Resources and Corporate Services, Fields leads the global Human Resources and Corporate Services functions for the company.

These are but a few of the many executives of African descent at Ford.

Alan Mulally president and CEO, Ford Motor Company

Alan Mulally, CEO and president of Ford is guided by a philosophy mirroring that of the legendary founder’s. Says Mulally, “Ford is a global business. We have a lot of talented people working together, and the breadth and the depth of our inclusion of all of our people will determine our performance. The more we embrace our differences within Ford—diversity of thought, experience, perspective, race, gender, faith, and more—the better we can deliver what the customers want and the more successful Ford will be.”

Remarkably, at Ford, this school of thought goes far beyond the executive suites in Dearborn. This guiding belief permeates Ford’s factories and dealerships, and influences the company’s activities in the communities where Ford’s customers live too.

Dr. Steve Perry, principal Capital Prepatory Magnet School

Dr. Steve Perry’s Capital Prepatory Magnet School in Hartford, Connecticut is one of the most outstanding college prep schools in the country. Ironically, the predominately African-American school district in which Capital is situated is one of the poorest performing in the country. When Ford learned Dr. Perry was personally picking up kids so they wouldn’t have to walk to school through a tough neighborhood, the company graciously donated a Ford Econoline van for Dr. Perry’s rounds.

David Wilson, meeting  David Wilson

 David Wilson, a 29-year-old African-American filmmaker from Newark, New Jersey has an interesting story––one he shares with another David Wilson, a 63-year-old white man residing in rural North Carolina. When young Wilson’s film about their unique family relationship, Meeting David Wilson, aired on MSNBC last April, Ford was the exclusive automotive sponsor.

"Partnering with MSNBC on Meeting David Wilson is both exciting and has a great deal of historical value," says Crystal Worthem, Sponsorships & Diverse Markets manager for Ford. "We have a chance to play a role in a discussion that may be remembered for years to come. David Wilson's story is also a Ford story, as members of his family came north to work at “Ford’s” in the hopes of a better life. Additionally, David's goals for the documentary are similar to our own goals as a company when you think about imparting the important message of inclusiveness and seeing people as valued individuals."

These are but two examples of Ford Motor Company working to engender equality of education and thought in the United States. At Ford, Black History Month is about more than hosting a luncheon and putting up posters of Dr. King in February. Ford’s commitment to diversity is backed up with action. At Ford, Black History is made everyday.