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Actor and “The Best Man Holiday” star Morris Chestnut and actress, comedian and writer Maria Costa served as the hosts for the 18th Annual Urban Wheel Awards “Paving the Path to Global Diversity” presented by Decisive Media and the Emerging Diversity Education Fund at Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan.  Morris Chestnut and Maria Costa joined a long list of celebrities who have graced the stage of the official multicultural event of the North American International Auto Show.

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The evening began with celebrity and VIP red carpet arrivals, vehicle exhibits, and the VIP and General receptions.  The awards ceremony was followed by the afterglow networking reception.  Proceeds from the event supported the Emerging Diversity Education Fund, which provides internships, scholarships, and mentoring to students pursuing careers in communications and the auto industry.

 

The event celebrated diversity and significant accomplishments in the auto industry.

On September 13, 1989, Chemico Systems, Inc. opened its doors for business with Leon C. Richardson as President.  Leon has led Chemico Systems, Inc. from a start-up company to one of the major suppliers of chemical products and chemical management services to several industries including automotive, bio-tech, and academia.  In August, 2006, Chemico Systems and Mays Chemical Company, another leading African American chemical company, created the joint venture, ChemicoMays, LLC.  Combined the organizations have over 250 employees, operates 8 facilities in North America and Puerto Rico as well as a strategic alliance in Mexico City, Mexico with 4 additional facilities.  Chemico also supplies goods and services throughout North and South American, Europe and Asia.

 

Mr. Richardson currently serves as chairman of the National Association of Black Suppliers, is a board member of both the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, and Co- Chair of the General Motors Supplier Diversity Counsel. He is also a former executive board member of Suppliers for the Environment (SP) and the Chemical Management Suppliers forum (CSP).

 

The 18th Annual Urban Wheel Awards has announced the three “ Dealer of the Year” finalists.  The three finalists are: Dorian Boyland, President of Boyland Automotive Group in Orlando, Florida; Manuel Gonzalez, President of Sterling Auto Group in Bryan, Texas; and Rahim Hassanally, President of Momentum Auto Group in Fairfield, CA.  Dorian, Manuel, and Rahim will be recognized for their significant accomplishments in the auto industry at the 18th Urban Wheel Awards.

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