16th Annual Urban Wheel Awards Named the Official Multicultural Event of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS)

SOUTHFIELD, MI - The 16th Annual Urban Wheel Awards, hosted by Emerging Diversity Education Fund and Decisive Media, is named the Official Multicultural Event of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) by the 2012 NAIAS Executive Committee. The only multicultural event held during press week of the NAIAS will host its annual award show on Sunday, January 8, 2012 in the Soundboard Theatre at the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit. This world class premier networking event and global marketing initiative is attended by hundreds of media, automotive executives, businesses, politicians, celebrities, community and trade organizations who have come together to promote multicultural consumer awareness of auto manufacturers, vehicles, technology, suppliers, dealers, community service and other areas in the auto industry. The Urban Wheel Awards also honors companies and individuals who have made significant progress in embracing diversity.

“We are extremely honored to receive such a prestigious title for our event from the leaders of the world’s largest international auto show. For sixteen years, the Urban Wheel Awards event has been the only event held during the NAIAS that promotes and celebrates diversity and inclusion in the auto industry. This recognition by the NAIAS Executive Committee is a true testament to the level of global awareness that our event and media group has received to ensure that all aspects of diversity are acknowledged, promoted and celebrated during this premier Detroit event,” said Decisive Media President Randi Payton.

The Urban Wheel Awards event festivities will begin at 4:00 p.m. with a reception in honor of
William “Bill” Perkins, who will serve as the first African-American Chairman of the 2012 North American International Auto Show. A celebrity green carpet and VIP reception follows at 5:30 p.m. and the awards show takes place from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. An afterglow networking reception will conclude the evening. In addition to the four Company of the Year categories, awards will also be presented to the Dealer of the Year, Supplier of the Year, the Urban Car, Truck and Green Vehicle of the Year, plus a myriad of other awards will be presented to diversity marketing and advertising initiatives.

Proceeds from the Urban Wheel Awards support the Emerging Diversity Education Fund that provides scholarships, internships, and mentoring support to ethnic minority college students, who are pursuing careers in the communications and the auto industry. For more information, visit www.decisivemagazine.com and click on Urban Wheel Awards or contact Marjorie Staten at events@decisivemag.com or (248) 866-8837.

About Emerging Diversity Education Fund:
The Emerging Diversity Education Fund (EDEF), a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization formerly known as the Edward Davis Education Foundation, has expanded its mission to provide mentoring, internships and scholarships to youth pursuing careers in communications, engineering, green professions, and media. EDEF was established in 1998 to help prepare college students for job and entrepreneurship opportunities in business, community organizations and corporation and to promote awareness of diversity in the automotive and other industries. EDEF's new mission will extend its 12-year history by promoting diversity in more industries, including automotive, travel, finance, entertainment, health, communications, green, and technology. Over 350 students have received scholarships and internships of more than $500,000 since the foundation was established.