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Ford Ride & Drive: Why The New Orleans African American Museum Is An Important Staple of NOLA And Should Not Be Ignored

The 2019 Ford Media Ride & Drive during 25th Anniversary of the Essence Festival was in full force this year yet again! Running with this year’s theme “Paint the Future Proud”, the well-known motor company spotlighted visual artists Shantell Martin, Sydney G. James and Melissa Mitchell. Art installations were displayed all weekend to showcase their work, while test drives
were being offered of Ford’s current vehicle lineup; paired with panel discussions and giveaways also featured, plus so much more.

During the Ford Media Ride & Drive, journalists, influencers and more got a chance to attend a special brunch (prepared by Chef Gary Netter, Culinary Ambassador of New Orleans) at The New Orleans African American Museum of Art, History and Culture powered by Ford. Attendees received a special tour of the museum which was founded in 1996 under the guidance and extensive support of the City of New Orleans Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development.

Courtesy of NOAAM

The tour led by Gia A. Hamilton, Executive Director & Chief Curator of NOAAM, gave an extensive background story and history of the land which is located in the Tremé section of New Orleans, a neighborhood that was home to the nation’s largest, most prosperous and politically progressive community of Black people by the mid-1850s.

More about NOAAM:

In the 18th century, the land was occupied by the Morand Plantation and brickyard, which was later acquired by hat maker and real estate developer Claude Tremé. In 1810, Tremé sold the land to the city of New Orleans, and it became home to many free persons of color. Congo Square, was a gathering place for free persons and slaves to gather, play music, and sell goods.

Tremé is unique in its architecture, it’s streets are a gumbo of double shotgun houses, Creole cottages and townhouses. An excellent example of Creole architecture is the Meilleur-Goldthwaire House, a villa built in 1828 which makes up part of the NOAAM campus. The New Orleans African American Museum is situated near the St. Augustine Church, one of the oldest African-American Catholic parishes in the nation, and two other museums that center black culture and contribution: the Backstreet Cultural Museum and Tremé’s Petit Jazz Museum.

On site, local artists also display their work showcasing the importance of the NOLA’s heritage and what it means to them, with an addition of political and racism issues that is going on to this very day.

Visiting NOAAM was the perfect segue way into learning about the progression within their community and how someone like the media, and more could be involved. The work starts in your own communities first, and just simply should not be ignored. Invest. Create. Lead By Example. Stand for what your ancestors stood for. Fight for what they fought for.

Thanks to Ford for staying on top of what’s important to the culture! New Orleans is so rich in history and culture, so this was a very much-needed visit and collaboration during this year’s 2019 Essence Festival.

If you’re ever in NOLA, please be sure to stop by!

Be sure to visit their website at http://www.noaam.org.
Contact: info@noaam.org

More pics below!

Photos by Gabriel Williams & Nigel Degaff

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FLY Events

Fly Events: Ford F-150 Truck Tour with A-Boogie Wit Da Hoodie

Over the weekend, Ford closed out the F-150 Truck Tour at North Carolina Central University’s Homecoming weekend in Durham, NC. Platinum recording artist A-Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, performed at the Ford Stage and helped Ford’s “Drive 4 Ur Community” initiative raise $20 for every test drive to support The Tom Joyner Foundation.

A-Boogie also teamed up with Ford to honor North Carolina Central University student Jordan Thomas, who is making a difference and going further on his campus through community service. Before his performance on the Ford Stage at NCCU, A-Boogie joined Ford’s Multicultural Communications Manager, Dee Guerrero at a special private breakfast to honor Jordan and present him with a Ford Prize pack.

R&B singer Lil’ Mo performed on the Ford Stage to the crowd of NCCU students and alumni. Recording artist Young Prophit was also spotted in the crowd enjoying the performances.

A-Boogie commanded the crowd and performed over 20 of his most popular songs as well as new music from his upcoming album. The Ford F-150 tour gave attendees the opportunity to support HBCU schools by test-driving the latest lineup of F-150 pickups, including XLT and Lariat. For each test drive, Ford donated $20 up to $6,000 to the Tom Joyner Foundation to support the dreams and goals of HBCU students. This tour is a further extension of Ford Motor Company’s longtime commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities continues with the Ford F-150 Truck Tour.

Photos by Nigel Degraff

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Entertainment Fly Cars Review

Watch: Take A Road Trip with Loni Love and Ford

[ione_embed src=https://www.youtube.com/embed/EVOmgtaGYBc service=youtube width=640 height=360 type=iframe]

The weather is breaking and soon summer will be here and you know what that means…road trips!

Loni Love joins Ford in giving her best tips for assembling the PERFECT road trip group. As we know, nothing ruins a road trip than a bad car crew. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

Pick your destination (it’s music festival season!), start your group chat and decide who’s coming along with help of Loni!

Take a look above!

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Entertainment

Ford Takes Over Magic City Classic with Yung Joc, Dana Dane and Chubb Rock

This past weekend, Ford went Further presenting the ultimate tailgate experience at the 75th Anniversary of the Magic City Classic in Birmingham, AL. Fans of all ages enjoyed interactive games and live performances by hip hop stars Chubb Rock, Dana Dane, Yung Joc and guest appearances by Angela Yee and DJ Envy of the syndicated radio show The Breakfast Club. 

Photo Credit: Ford/Andre Thomas

Check out more pics below.

 

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FLY Events

#EssenceFest: FORD Takes Over NOLA at The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Held Exclusive Media Welcome Dinner

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JUNE 30: Preparations at the Ford Motor Company booth for the 2016 Essence Festival on Thursday, June 30, 2016, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Ford Motor Company)
(Photo by Frank Micelotta/Ford Motor Company)

Marking 2016 as Ford’s eighth consecutive year as an exclusive automotive sponsor of the ESSENCE Festival, the company pulled out all the stops for this year’s festivities with their dynamic booth display showing off some of their best and newest rides, allowing the public to even test drive the vehicles.

Sirius XM was also on-site to broadcast live from the Ford booth during the entire weekend and conducted interviews with your favorite celebrities like Sevyn Streeter, Maxwell, Chrisette Michelle, Ro James, New Edition, Tony Gaskins and the cast of STARZ hit series’ Power and Survivor’s Remorse.

As mentioned, Ford’s latest lineup of vehicles was on full display at the Ford booth including the 2017 Ford GT, 2017 Ford Fusion Sport, Shelby Mustang GT350, and Ford Focus RS. The company was giving away the keys to a new 2017 Ford Fusion to one lucky winner. Four lucky contestants had the chance to compete on stage, alongside Nephew Tommy, to win the keys to the brand new car.

Also, Festival attendees had the chance to test drive the latest lineup of Ford vehicles, including the 2016 Ford Explorer, 2017 Ford Fusion and 2017 Ford Escape.

Kicking things off at the start of the festival on Friday, July 1, the brand started their charity initiative, Ford Warriors in Pink to raise funds and bring awareness to breast cancer. Ford donated $20 for each of the first 250 test drives (total of $5,000) on July 1 to support Young Survival Coalition. Over $130 million has been donated towards the fight against breast cancer through Ford’s ‘Warriors in Pink.’

(Photo by Peter Forest/Ford Motor Company)
(Photo by Peter Forest/Ford Motor Company)

Lastly, Ford hosted an exclusive Media and Influencer Dinner, which included SFPL‘s very own Gabriel Williams amongst many others held at Mardi Gras World, an indoor Bayou themed location that gives the nostalgia of what NOLA is all about.

Attendees were treated to New Orleans inspired dishes, especially the all-time favorite, Po’ Boy Sandwiches, and the well-known popular drink, The Hurricane. Great food, great conversations, a great time.

Manager of Ford Multicultural Communications, Raj Register hosted the evening along with Life/Relationship Expert, Tony Gaskins.

Raj greeted the attendees and spoke on a few initiatives that Ford was working on paired with a very new ad campaign, as well as, introducing Tony for those that may not have been familiar with the budding self-made expert/entrepreneur. You may remember him as he recently appeared a few times as a special guest on K. Michelle‘s My Life on VH1, counseling the songstress through her troubled relationships.

Mr. Gaskins is also apart of the Ford campaign where he was featured in the official commercial.

In the video clip, he quotes:

“If you don’t build your dream, someone will hire you to build theirs…”

Take a look below:

While speaking at the dinner, Tony gave insight on what his life was like in the past, and how he needed to grow up and take control of his life. Fascinated with money, girls, selling drugs and eventually being kicked out of college on a full football scholarship, Gaskins soon realized that he was heading down the wrong path.

Starting on a new quest, he then thought to himself that he could help others through their process without necessarily worrying about money. Moving in a more positive direction, Gaskins raised his own brand from the ground up, now holding his positions as an esteemed Life Coach and Author, not to mention a Father, and Husband.

Congrats to Tony on his major accomplishments.

Remember to Dream Big but also build that Dream.

 

 

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Entertainment FLY Events Last Night in NYC

Essence Fest 2015: Andra Day Host FORD Press Dinner at The Little Gem Saloon

andra day at ford dinner
Pictured Above: Andra Day and Shawn Lollie (photo by Chris Mitchell )

On Day 2 of this year’s Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, The FORD Company, which was one official sponsors for the event — held an exclusive Media Dinner hosted by singer/songwriter Andra Day.

ford dinner at essence festival
Chris Mitchell

Selects media brands, including Stuff Fly People Like, enjoyed a delicious menu at one of N.O.’s best restaurants, Little Gem Saloon. The southern cuisine provided select foods like; Smoked St. Louis Cut Ribs, LA Barbeque Shrimp, Kale Salad, Shrimp & Grits, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Filet Mignon and more.

shawn lollie at the ford dinner
Chris Mitchell

Multicultural Marketing Manager of Ford, Shawn Lollie spoke to the attendees about EMF, being with Ford for over 20 years — passed through her mother and father — who also worked for premier company, and she also introduced new artist Andra Day, filtering in a video presentation of the featured talent sponsored by Ford.

andra day at ford dinner
Chris Mitchell

After the video EPK, Andra sat with the press for an up close and personal conversation about her life, music and much more.

 

 

ford-dinner
Chris Mitchell

Affiliates that attended the dinner were: Stuff Fly People Like, Global Grind, Divas and Dorks, O Magazine, Arise TV, ItsArkeedah.com, VIBE Magazine, Bossip, ABC News Radio, The Root, JawnMurray.com, Huffington Post and more. 

The Ford Press Dinner was amazing!

Thanks Ford!

-(@GabrielofSFPL)

Check out more pics below:

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