On Sept. 10, 2015, Steven Spielberg will present William Clay Ford Jr., executive chairman of Ford Motor Company, with USC Shoah Foundation's highest honor — the Ambassador for Humanity Award –– at the organization’s annual gala.
Ford will be recognized for his leadership and corporate citizenry around education and community.
Golden Globe-winning, Emmy and Academy Award nominated actor Steve Carell will serve as host, with Emmy and Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry joining the evening’s program as special guest. Grammy Award winner James Taylor will provide a special musical performance.
“It is an honor to have the support of these three iconic artists, each role models in their own right, to help us pay tribute to Bill Ford,” said Steven Spielberg, founder of the organization and chair of the annual gala. “Their participation will help bring attention to the Institute’s mission and our joint educational work in Detroit with Ford Motor Company.”
The gala will highlight the Institute’s partnership with Ford Motor Company to expand its IWitness educational platform in the metro Detroit area. Over the next two years IWitness Detroit will provide teacher education, programming for students, and key academic resources to enable students to engage with eyewitness testimony. A portion of the proceeds raised at the gala will support the program.
USC Shoah Foundation has a long history in Michigan. Ford Motor Company was the sole sponsor of the 1997 NBC broadcast of the Academy Award winning “Schindler’s List,” the film that inspired the establishment of the Institute. The Institute’s Visual History Archive is also available at University of Michigan campuses of Ann Arbor and Flint. In addition, Mickey Shapiro, one of Michigan’s top real estate developers and longstanding member of the Institute’s Board of Councilors, is co-chairman of the 2015 Ambassadors for Humanity Gala.
For more information about the gala call the Event Office at 248-593-9743, the USC Shoah Foundation Benefit at 818-777-7876 or email ambassadorsgala2015@usc.edu. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law.
