2015.009.179

U-Matic

AFD Press Conf.
CAY & I. Thomas
Sept. 9 - 88
Cobo Hall

U-Matic S tape containing footage of the September 9, 1988 press conference about the "Together- We Mean Business" scholarship program, a collaboration between Coca-Cola, the Associated Food Dealers of Michigan, the Coleman A Young Foundation, and Isiah Thomas to assist Detroit students to attend college for business and marketing. The press conference features Coca-Cola Enterprises North Group Vice President of Public Affairs John Downs; Mayor Coleman A. Young; Isiah Thomas; Joseph Sarafa of the Associated Food Dealers of Michigan; Haida Gardner[?], the Business Development Manager of Coca-Cola of Michigan; and Malcolm C. Dade, Jr., treasurer of the Coleman Young Foundation.

Down introduces the press conference, provides an overview of the project, and recognizes attendees despite technical difficulties. Mayor Coleman A. Young next speaks about past Coleman Young scholarships including those associated with the 1986 No Crime Day project. He also presents a proclamation to Isiah Thomas. Next, Thomas speaks about the aim of the project, the value of education, and details the sources of the $70,000 which will fund the scholarships. Afterward, Joseph Sarafa of the Associated Food Dealers speaks about his group's involvement, including promotional place cards to be distributed through independent neighborhood stores. Haida Gardner[?], the Business Development Manager of Coca-Cola of Michigan, speaks next. She describes the sorts of students that the program intends to assist--"underachievers" who may have jobs, family difficulties, and other obstacles to their education. Eligibility requirements are a 2.5 GPA, essay, interview, and the student must be a minority living in the city of Detroit. Malcolm C. Dade, Jr. treasurer of the Coleman Young Foundation then receives a check, and makes a brief speech thanking the involved parties. Downs then returns to the podium to present Mayor Young with a book commemorating Coca-Cola's hundred years of history. Down then opens the floor to questions, to which Thomas jokingly responds by asking Young about his vacation.

In response to a question about the state of Detroit Public Schools, Young stresses that this is not the forum to address that matter, and can be heard complaining off microphone to Thomas about this as Gardner speaks about eligibility.

The recording is on a 3M UCA-30s U-Matic S tape with a 3M handwritten label which reads "AFD Press Conf CAY & I. Thomas, Sept. 9, 1988." The tape is housed within a black plastic 3M case with a handwritten 3M label, which reads "AFD Press Conf. CAY & I. Thomas Sept. 9, 1988."

Date

1988

Collection

Municipal Services

Search Terms

Press Conferences, Scholarships, Coca-Cola, Associated Food Dealers, Coleman A. Young Foundation

People

Young, Coleman A.

Thomas, Isiah Lord III

Media