It's 2022, and Corporate Social Responsibility is more than just a PR term in today's times. All firms, big and small, are expected to abide by best practices concerning CSR. For those unaware, CSR stands for a company’s ability to put aside the profit motive to perform tasks that have a beneficial effect not on the company itself, in terms of capital, but of an entirely separate social group. Automotive companies - regardless of their size, big and small - have set the tone by following the best CSR practices in recent years. Not just that, they've gone beyond the bare minimum and demonstrated efforts to spread awareness about the most prevalent issues in our society. And Honda has been leading from the front. The Japanese automotive giant has been one of the key figures in the "green car revolution", investing heavily in environmentally-friendly cars and manufacturing processes. They've also undertaken practices beyond their production and sales process to raise social awareness. Honda as a brand is always striving to create an emotional connection between the Honda brand and its consumers. And their latest docuseries does just that. The new Honda docuseries celebrates the legacy of historically black colleges and universities.
What is the new Honda docuseries called? What is it all about? Let's find out.
Honda's Support Of HBCUs
HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to primarily serve the African-American community. There are more than 100 HBCUs in the United States of America. The total number of HBCUs represent about three percent of the USA's colleges and universities, including both public and private institutions. Some of the most prominent American personalities are HBCU graduates: Civil Rights Leader, Martin Luther King Jr., United States Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall, Virginia governor Douglas Wilder, and former president of Brown University Ruth Simmons. According to the Japanese automotive giant's official website, Honda’s commitment to historically Black colleges and universities began more than 30 years ago with the establishment of the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC), a program designed to celebrate the academic prowess of HBCU students. The company helped create a similar platform to showcase the electrifying musical talent of students in HBCU marching bands. That’s exactly what (HBOB Honda Battle of the Bands) has been doing over the past two decades.
What The New Honda Docuseries Will Cover
The idea behind Honda's new docuseries is to celebrate the Japanese automotive company's proud history of HBCU partnership. Honda defines HBCU as Home, Band, Culture, and Unity. 'Home' showcases the proud history of HBCUs and why they matter. 'Band' delves into the community-building role of HBCU marching bands. 'Culture' highlights unique traditions on campus. 'Unity' explores how students are brought together by HBCUs.
The new documentary series, titled "Driving the Legacy of HBCUs", will shed light on Honda's widespread contribution to the HBCU community. It's a four-part series that features noteworthy interviews and performances aplenty. Here's what Yvette Hunsicker, vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion & Diversity at AHM, had to say about the new Honda docuseries:
"This year, Honda Battle of the Bands will represent a broader look at HBCU life. 'Driving the Legacy' will enable us to share some new and exciting things about the HBCU experience that makes these institutions special - something Honda has known for more than 30 years. While there isn't an in-person event in 2022, we did not want another year to go by without the powerful spirit of HBOB".
'Driving The Legacy ': A Sneak-Peek
The Honda docuseries will feature 4 episodes. Each of the episodes is inspired by Honda's HBCU principles: Home, Band, Culture, and Unity. Episode 1 will focus on the history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and explain why they matter. Episode 2 takes a deep dive into the marching bands and tells the viewers their importance to the HBCU community. Episode 3 focuses on the traditional events at Honda's HBCU. Episode 4 explores the togetherness of students and staff at the campus. The first episode was released on February 22, 2022, on Honda's official Battle of the Bands website. The remaining three episodes of the series will be released in May, June, and August, later this year. If you're keen, you can stay tuned for updates on Honda's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram handles. The series also features Emmy and two-time NAACP Image Award-winning host, comedian, author, and Prairie View alumna, Loni Love. There's plenty more in store, and we bet you don't want to miss any of it.
Honda has delighted us for decades with its range of top vehicles. Be it the most amazing cars to the most stylish bikes, it's a brand that has always struck a chord with the audience. And with its new documentary series that celebrates the legacy of historically black colleges and universities, it has taken another step in the right direction.