On January 12, 2010, The 14th Annual Urban Wheel Awards (UWA) will bring together top government officials and automotive executives with minority suppliers and dealers to recognize the stimulation of minority business development.

Actress LisaRaye, also known as "Neesee James" from the CW Network's television series All of Us, will host the event at the new Sound Board Theatre, in the MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, MI.

Tickets are now available at Ticketmaster.com.

The Urban Wheel Awards event brings together more than 2,000 auto executives, media, suppliers, dealers, celebrities and community leaders to honor the auto industry for its outstanding achievements in minority business development. Held during Press Week of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the theme for this year's program is "Stimulating Minority Business Development." To raise awareness of the importance of this, top government officials and Detroit politicians have been invited to present awards to automotive companies and suppliers.

"The auto industry has consistently been a leader in developing minority businesses," said Randi Payton, president of On Wheels Media. "Minority suppliers, dealers and businesses should not be overlooked during the Federal government's stimulus of the industry while many mainstream companies are receiving grants from the Department of Energy's Advanced Vehicle Technology Program."

This year's awards include:
• 2010Urban Car and Truck of the Year, and the inaugural Urban Green Vehicle of the Year.
• Four Lifetime Achievement awards, along with an Urban Wheel Pioneer Award.
• Diversity Leadership, Advanced Vehicle Technology, and Stimulating Minority Business Development awards, presented to bring the auto industry and government together in a positive setting.

Lifetime Achievement honorees include Susan Au Allen, president of the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce; Juanita Doby, VP of Diversity and HR at Volvo Cars North America; Irma Elder, philanthropist and auto dealer; and Rod Gillum, General Motors, vice president, Corporate Responsibility and Diversity (retired).

A Pioneer Award will be presented to Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. for his tireless advocacy of minority supplier/dealer development in the auto industry, as well as engendering the establishment of the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD).

The evening will begin with a Green Carpet VIP reception promptly at 5:00 p.m. with Awards presented at 7:00 pm. Video highlights of the awardees and their amazing contributions will precede the announcement of each award. The evening will also feature a special performance by singer and actress Gina Hiraizumi. Confirmed presenters include Mayor Dave Bing of Detroit, gospel recording artist Vickie Winans, Fox 2 reporter Roop Raj, and Detroit News auto editor Manny Lopez.

Proceeds from the UWA event benefit the Edward Davis Education Foundation (EDEF), a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization established by On Wheels Media, Inc. The mission of EDEF is to provide scholarships, internships and mentoring to students pursuing careers in the automotive industry or communications.

Tickets are available at www.TicketMaster.com.

Visit the Urban Wheel Awards Website for more information, or contact Randi Payton at (301) 390-0468, or eMail rpayton@onwheelsinc.com.

 Media interested in covering the event should eMail pr@onwheelsinc.com

On Wheels Media, Inc. is a multi-media communications company that produces consumer-oriented print and digital publications, Websites, broadcast properties and events. Publications include the all-new DECISIVE magazine, a comprehensive multi-media platform for multicultural consumers. The company also produces African Americans On Wheels and Latinos On Wheels magazines, which are distributed in more than 100 newspapers throughout the United States to a combined readership of 8 million. On Wheels Media also produces consumer events and launched the first automotive magazine Website in 1995.

Visit www.onwheelsinc.com for more information and to sign up for your complimentary digital subscription to On Wheels publications.