AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of FCA US LLC, and the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) today announced recipients of the National Black Farmers Association Scholarship. The 2016 class of 21 students, who represent the promise of a new generation of black farmers, will receive $100,000 in scholarships that will help them pursue agriculture-related college degrees.

"It is a privilege to support these remarkable young people as they pursue higher education," said Lesley Slavitt, Head of Civic Engagement, FCA US LLC, and CEO of the FCA Foundation. "Through advanced study these students will undoubtedly acquire the skills and knowledge to ensure they are transformational leaders who successfully address the challenges confronting food security."

Scholarships of up to $5,000 each were awarded on a competitive basis to students pursuing agriculture-related study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school. 

"The plight of the black farmers and the loss of black-owned farms have been a major issue for well over 100 years," said John Boyd, Jr., President of the National Black Farmers Association. "In 1910, nearly 1 million black farm families owned over 15 million acres of land. Today, less than 45,000 black farm families own 3 million acres. The NBFA Scholarship program will begin to address black land loss.

"This year's recipients represent a new era of future farmers and agricultural leaders," Boyd concluded.

Since 2015, the National Black Farmers Association Scholarship has awarded more than $180,000.

About the National Black Farmers Association
The National Black Farmers Association is a non-profit organization representing African-American farmers and their families in the United States. As an association, it serves tens of thousands of members nationwide. NBFA's education and advocacy efforts have been focused on civil rights, land retention, access to public and private loans, education and agricultural training and rural economic development for black and other small farmers.

About the FCA Foundation
The FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of FCA US LLC, invests in charitable organizations and initiatives that help empower people, build strong, viable communities and generate meaningful and measurable societal impacts. 

Additionally, FCA US seeks opportunities to support communities through its Motor Citizens® volunteer program. This innovative program enables FCA US salaried employees to use 18 hours of paid time each year to be an Engine for Change by investing their time and talents in community service projects.

SOURCE FCA US LLC

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