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Buick Hosts Road Trip: “The Journey through the African American Experience”

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Buick Journey Through the African American Experience 2017 LaCrosse

African-American journalists from many publications experienced a historical road trip thanks to Buick

As a part of the GM Diversity campaign, Buick provided two 2017 Buick LaCrosse vehicles to eight African-American journalists for an educational and historical road trip from Philadelphia to Washington, DC. During the trip, the journalists stopped at several historic African-American points of interest, including The African American Museum of Philadelphia, Mother Bethel A.M.E., and the Marian Andersen House.


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Attendees of the journey and dinner included Emil Wilbekin of World of Wilbekin; Susan Wright and Kim Hines of SoulBounce; Ester Davis of The Dallas Post Tribune; Brian Jackson of NY Magazine; Rushawn Walters of The Hilltop; Cheryl Smith of The Texas Metro News; and Jarrett Hill of NBC BLK/The Hollywood Reporter.

Buick Journey Through the African American Experience 2017 LaCrosse

Buick provided two 2017 Buick LaCrosse vehicles for the trips

Buick Journey Through the African American Experience 2017 LaCrosse

Ed Gordon of Bounce TV hosted the intimate dinner conversation

After taking the tours at each of those locations, the journalists were then invited to an intimate dinner occasion with Ed Gordon of Bounce TV. As the moderator, Gordon asked the attendees about their feelings after the trip. Emotions ranged from being initially upset to then being inspired and hopeful. Emil Wilbekin of World of Wilbekin said, “When I left the museum, I felt taller. I felt stronger. I felt resilient. So when I leave to go back, I’m going back stronger and more courageous.”

Buick Journey Through the African American Experience 2017 LaCrosse

Items like cornbread and collards were featured on the menu

Buick served up a delicious menu of options during the conversation, including items like cornbread, shrimp and grits, short ribs, and collards. While the automaker did provide the vehicle for the journey, the conversation stayed true to the experience, rather than blatantly promoting the LaCrosse, which was a refreshing take on diversity marketing.


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Susan Wright, of SoulBounce, said, “This trip in the Buick to Philly was amazing. After my father’s work in the Civil Rights Movement, he moved to Philadelphia to work with friends on other issues. So for me, it was very emotional to feel like I was traveling in his footsteps.”

Watch a video recap of the dinner conversation below:

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