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CONTACT: Jody L. Miller
JLM PR, Inc.
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Amber Gowen
Chrysler Financial
(248) 247-3126
[email protected]

HIP-HOP SUMMIT ACTION NETWORK PRESIDENT DR. BENJAMIN CHAVIS GIVES KEYNOTE SPEECH AT DAIMLERCHRYSLER FINANCIAL SERVICES’ ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

FEBRUARY 15, 2006 – NEW YORK, N.Y. – Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President/CEO of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) gave a rousing keynote speech at the annual DaimlerChrysler Financial Services African American Network’s Black History Month Celebration, held February 9 at the corporate headquarters of DaimlerChrysler Financial Services in Farmington Hills, Mich. The event theme was “Celebrating Our Past, Shaping Our Future.”

"We salute DaimlerChrysler Financial Services for sponsoring this important observance of Black History Month,” emphasized Dr. Chavis. “The historic and contemporary contributions of African Americans to the progress of America should be celebrated not only by Black people but by all people who are the beneficiaries of struggle for freedom, justice and equality."

"Bridging the gap between the Civil Rights generation and the Hip-Hop generation is a necessity that I am pleased to report is happening with renewed vigor. In fact, today’s generation of youth is the best generation of youth that we have been blessed to witness with remarkable creativity and a hunger and thirst to end poverty and ignorance," said Chavis.

Chavis’ speech was followed by a lively employee dialogue merging the cultural relevance of hip-hop with today’s generation. When asked by parents in the house about how to better communicate with their teens Chavis replied, “We need to listen and speak with our children in their own language. Hip-hop can be a point of discussion with teens rather than a separation from them.”

“We thank Dr. Chavis for his commitment to educating our youth,” said William F. Jones Jr., Vice President – Chrysler Financial. “I’d also like to thank our African American Employee Resource Group (ERG) as they worked hard to engage employees with diverse knowledge and experience. ERGs are to be celebrated as they blend inclusive strategies into the company’s vision, mission and core values.”

In addition, Klaus Entenmann, President and Chief Executive Officer – DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas presented Dr. Chavis with a Dodge HEMI® plaque stating Heart, Energy, Motivation and Intelligence, is what drives all employees at DaimlerChrysler Financial Services. The plaque recognizes the outstanding efforts of Dr. Chavis as a driving force behind the modern Civil Rights movement.

For more information on the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, go to www.hsan.org and for more information on Chrysler Financial visit www.chryslerfinancial.com.