TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 31, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Honoring its long-time commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs),  Honda will award nearly $200,000 in education grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as part of the 2019 Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) program. The grants will support music education, scholarships, facility upgrades and other investments to improve the student experience.  The Honda Battle of the Bands, which traditionally brings together the nation's top HBCU marching bands for a high-energy showcase in Atlanta at the end of January each year, is on hiatus in 2019 and will return in 2020.

"Although HBOB is taking a year off due to a conflict with a major event in Atlanta this week, our funding for HBCU music education programs continues in 2019," said Steve Morikawa, vice president of Corporate Relations and Social Responsibility at American Honda. "Honda remains steadfast in our commitment to HBCUs and the talented musicians and music education they produce, and we look forward to being back in Atlanta for HBOB in 2020."

The grants will be distributed to HBCUs that participated in the 2018 HBOB program.

In addition to the grants, Honda supported the marching bands from Alabama State University and Florida A&M University that were invited to participate in the 2019 Rose Parade® in Pasadena, California on New Year's Day. Honda also invited 60 band members representing seven additional HBCUs to perform on the Honda "Celebration of Dreams" float.

Since 2003, HBOB has provided top marching bands from America's HBCUs an opportunity to deliver dynamic performances on a national stage. For information and updates on the program, visit www.hondabattleofthebands.com. Fans can also check out highlights from the 2018 Invitational Showcase on the official HBOB social media channels:

• Facebook – Facebook.com/HondaBattleoftheBands
• Twitter – @The_Honda / Twitter.com/The_Honda
• Instagram – @the_honda / Instagram.com/the_honda

Honda and the HBCU Community
For three decades, Honda has been committed to supporting the success and dreams of the nation's HBCUs. Through initiatives like the Honda Battle of the Bands and Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, Honda has been able to reach more than 170,000 students and award over $12 million in grants in support of HBCU education programs. These two initiatives have also enabled Honda to provide unforgettable experiences and opportunities for students to create memories that will last a lifetime, including meeting and networking with their peers from different schools.

In April, Honda will host the 30^th annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, a unique academic tournament for HBCU students that showcases and recognizes their academic talents. The 2019 champion will be crowned at the National Championship Tournament on April 16. Visit www.hcasc.com for more details.

Honda Corporate Social Responsibility
Honda seeks to be a company that society wants to exist, creating products and technologies that improve the lives of people while minimizing the environmental impacts of its products and business operations to ensure a sustainable future.

Honda also is committed to making positive contributions to the communities where it does business, conducting socially responsible business practices and promoting diversity in its workforce. From Honda's involvement in STEM education and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to its support of pediatric brain tumor research and volunteer efforts by Honda associates, including environmental clean-up activities, Honda believes in giving back to the communities where its associates live and work. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.

SOURCE Honda