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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 18, 2019)
Page 2 The Skanner Portland & Seattle MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE EDITION September 18, 2019 ® Challenging People to Shape a Better Future Now Opinion American-Made Excellence Bernie Foster Founder/Publisher Bobbie Dore Foster Executive Editor By Derek “Fonzworth Bentley” Watkins, Chevrolet Discover the Unexpected Program Road Trip Advisor Jerry Foster Advertising Manager Christen McCurdy News Editor Patricia Irvin Graphic Designer Monica J. Foster Seattle Office Coordinator Susan Fried Photographer 2017 MERIT AWARD WINNER The Skanner Newspaper, es- tablished in October 1975, is a weekly publication, published every Wednesday by IMM Publi- cations Inc. 415 N. Killingsworth St. P.O. Box 5455 Portland, OR 97228 Telephone (503) 285-5555 Fax: (503) 285-2900 M y grandfather in- stilled in me the idea of the excellence of American automotive engineering. That was then passed down to my father, and I remember when he brought home the Pontiac 6000. He stressed how American-made cars were built to be stronger and more efficient. That im- pressed me and gave me an understanding of how spend- ing my dollars on Ameri- can-made products support- ed our economy. My uncle is a retired GM engineer. My father-in-law was an engineer local to the Detroit area. GM has a rich history of automotive innova- tion. For 20 years, Innovating Connected Emergency Ser- vices has proven to be an asset to all automobiles. When GM debuted OnStar in 1996, it was the first in-vehicle technology in the industry that automat- ically connected to a live per- son when a vehicle’s airbags deployed. That advisor works with first responders to pro- vide assistance. Along with access to indus- try-leading technology, On- Star’s emergency advisors re- ceive innovative training that allows them to be prepared for all situations — from vehi- “ For 20 years, Innovating Connected Emergency Services has proven to be an asset to all automobiles cle crashes to mothers giving birth to helping during natu- ral disasters. As a new father, knowing that OnStar advisors receive this training gives me another layer of comfort as I raise my family. OnStar also has implement- ed Emergency Medical Dis- patch, which uses set proto- cols to help advisors assess each situation and provide Electronic Stability Control is one of my favorite innovations of this new generation. The system offers significant improvements in performance by sensing when a vehicle is about to lose control, then intervening to keep the vehicle stable,” says Derek “fonzworth Bentley” Watkins, Chevrolet Discover the Unexpected Road Trip Advisor pre-arrival information to first responders. Together, OnStar’s technology and ad- visors give first responders the information they need even before they arrive on the scene. Electronic Stability Control is one of my favorite innova- tions of this new generation. The system offers significant improvements in perfor- mance by sensing when a ve- hicle is about to lose control, then intervening to keep the vehicle stable. When I get into the cockpit of the new Chevrolet Blazer, it’s steeped in technology that makes not only the driving ex- perience more enjoyable, but also more efficient. From the ease of climate control to the mirror rearview camera and its impressive camera angles, and, of course, the vehicle’s sleek design and performance, American automotive engi- neering has continued to in- novate and uphold the vision my grandfather and father im- parted to me as a teenager. info@theskanner.com www.TheSkanner.com The Skanner is a member of the National Newspaper Pub lishers Association and West Coast Black Pub lishers Association. All photos submitted become the property of The Skanner. We are not re spon sible for lost or damaged photos either solicited or unsolicited. ©2018 The Skanner. All rights re served. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission prohibited. Local News Pacific NW News World News Opinions Jobs, Bids Entertainment Community Calendar LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS LOCAL EVENTS d ay ! • L i ke u s o n F ebo m me • nts TheSkannerNews o k • learn • co in y o u r c o m m u n to y • ac it Updated daily online. DJ Envy’s Wisdom By DJ Envy Discover the Unexpected Program Ambassador H ey, everyone. It’s DJ Envy. I am really proud to be writing to you all at the conclusion of Chevrolet’s Dis- cover the Unexpected Jour- nalism Fellowship. It has been a real pleasure for me to serve as a Discover the Unexpected ambassador, and I can’t wait to see everyone in Detroit. My path to becoming a Dis- cover the Unexpected ambas- sador started when I made the decision to go to Hamp- ton University. My mother stressed education and em- phasized the importance of getting a degree at a Black institution. She instilled a sense of pride in our house- hold about Historically Black Colleges and Universities so that when it came time for me to apply for school, going to an HBCU felt like the natural thing to do. As the first child in my fam- ily to attend college, and com- ing from a predominantly white high school, I wanted to be in a college environment with people who looked like me and had similar life expe- riences. My path into the music and entertainment business was helped by my friends and classmates at Hampton. They exposed me to music that was popular in their hometowns and allowed me to share my music with them. By catering to a di- verse crowd, I was able to gain the wis- dom and musical acumen necessary to transition from being a local mix- tape disc jockey into becoming a disc jockey the whole country knew about. I remem- ber how students on campus who didn’t even know me would promote and spread my mu- “I wanted to be an ambassador for DTU because the program marries together three things sic by buying my that I care passionately about: an HBCU education, a career in media and cars!” says DJ Envy, mixtapes, and then Discover the Unexpected Program Ambassador. they’d take my mu- sic back with them dor for DTU because the pro- some of these companies to their hometowns. gram marries together three struggle to relate to the prob- I wish that the Chevrolet things that I care passionately lems faced by the majority of DTU program had existed about: an HBCU education, a the Black population. I feel when I was in college. I know career in media and cars! that these companies may not it will play an important role It’s important to me that the be able to connect as well with DTU Fellows take full advan- the personal anger our com- tage of the experience. I feel munity feels on certain sto- that they need to cherish this ries and that they may have opportunity because so many an agenda when they cast the others would love to have Black community in a certain the chances they are getting. light. That’s why it’s crucial to I cannot stress this enough: me that African Americans For the Fellows to get the most understand that “we owe it to out of the program, they need ourselves to help change the to network constantly, take narrative.” I feel that chang- every photo, write down or ing the way African Ameri- in kick-starting these current record every piece of advice cans are being portrayed in DTU Fellows’ careers in jour- they get, and never quit hus- the media can only come from nalism and media. I believe tling. having Black journalists in this experience can empower I feel that standing up for positions of power. Chevrolet these young journalism stu- Black journalism is critical Discover the Unexpected is dents to reach the next level right now because so many training the next generation in their careers. media companies are not of Black journalists to help I wanted to be an ambassa- Black-owned. As a result, make that change happen. “ I wish that the Chevrolet DTU program had existed when I was in college nt • lo c a l n e w s • eve