HBCUs Featured on Hamlin's NASCAR Vehicle, FedEx Pledges $5M to 4 Schools
FedEx revealed NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin would be driving a new FedEx Cares Toyota car at Daytona on Aug. 28 featuring HBCU schools. Hamlin's car will feature Jackson State University, Tennessee State University, LeMoyne-Owen College, and Mississippi Valley State University logos on the rear bumper.
NASCAR's popular black driver Bubba Wallace joined a conversation with Hamlin, JSU's athletic director Ashley Robinson, and TSU's head basketball coach Brian "Penny" Collins to discuss the support of HBCUs in the racing organization.
Hamlin said about the HBCU showcase, "it's about showing our support to the HBCU campuses because, ultimately, that's how we make change." Coach Collins responded to Hamlin, "the biggest thing that I've learned is that a lot of corporations, they want help; they just don't know how to help." Robinson included, "FedEx has been supporting for over 20 years, and all the scholarships and all the things that they have been doing."
NASCAR is serious about engaging the black community in its events and business model. New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has officially partnered with NASCAR to become the auto racing sanctioning body’s first Growth and Engagement Advisor.
Kamara will use his professional sports and business influence to help NASCAR attract new fans to the sport.
“It’s an honor to be able to team up with NASCAR and be their first-ever Growth and Engagement Advisor,” Kamara said. “I’m excited to use my passion as a fan to help shape their long-term efforts to grow the sport.”
Yesterday's announcement demonstrates how influential HBCUs are for NASCAR and their related businesses. Partnering with the HBCU community will extend its reach for a new targeted audience.
"Hopefully, it motivates a lot more people to tune into the sport. I'm just proud of the direction that we're heading," said Bubba Wallace.
FedEx is pledging $5 million to support four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Mississippi and Tennessee.
The purpose of the investment is to create valuable education and job readiness for students at Tennessee State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, and LeMoyne-Owen College, according to FedEx.