Alabama State Newsroom 

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, Toyota presented a total of $50,000 to four of Alabama’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Alabama State University, Alabama A&M University, Selma University and Tuskegee University each received a check for $12,500 during a luncheon held at ASU’s John Garrick Hardy Student Center ballroom on March 9.

“For us (Toyota), education is extremely important,” said Adrienne Trimble, general manager for Diversity and Inclusion at Toyota North America. “In addition to our longstanding commitment to education, we just want to say ‘thank you’ for the time that you have put into the students and for your commitment. Investing in education is a no-brainer for us. We didn’t just want to host an event, we wanted to leave a legacy, so that’s what we came up with — $50,000 for the 50-year anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March.”

President Gwendolyn E. Boyd called the donation a “great moment” for ASU and expressed her thanks for Toyota’s generosity and support.

“As we look at the opportunities that we have, especially as Historically Black Colleges and Universities in this country, it is so important that we have good partners – those who believe in us and those who continue to support the work that we are doing,” Boyd said. “We are honored to be a part of this initiative from Toyota.”

Toyota has been recognized for its longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion, including being named as a Diversity Inc. magazine’s Top 50 company for six years in a row.

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