2005 NAIAS: Detroit-NABJ Launches Automotive Task Force at 2005 North American International Auto Show

DETROIT, Jan. 6, 2005 -- The Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (DC-NABJ) today announced the debut of an automotive task force. The task force's formation was announced in conjunction with the 2005 North American International Auto Show.

The mission of the automotive task force is to promote diversity in automotive communications, including journalism, public relations, advertising, marketing and other related professions. The organization's main goals are to introduce students and young professionals to automotive communications careers and provide a networking forum for those in the profession. The task force will engage in a variety of public service, educational and networking initiatives.

"Rather than complain about the lack of diversity within our ranks, we've decided to do something about it," said Frank Washington, an automotive journalist and chair of the task force. "Our purpose is to fill the multicultural void that exists in one of the most critical professions in the auto industry -- communications."

"The formation of an automotive task force makes perfect sense for an NABJ chapter located in the automotive capital of the world," added Darren Nichols, DC-NABJ president. "We look forward to being at the forefront of a movement that will promote careers in automotive communications."

The Automotive Task Force is a nonprofit, ad-hoc committee of the Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. Membership is open to communications professionals with an interest in automotive communications.

For more information, please contact Nekeidra Shegog at 313-667-8985, or Lloryn Love at 313-963-2209.