OREANDA-NEWS. Nissan North America, Inc., received the Chairman's Award at the 42nd annual National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) convention in Boston.

Each year, the NSBE recognizes companies on the NSBE Board of Corporate Affiliates for outstanding support and significant contributions to the goals and accomplishments of NSBE and its members.

 "We're excited to honor Nissan with our Chairman's Award," said Karl W. Reid, NSBE's Executive Director. "Through its partnership with the NBSE, Nissan has demonstrated its commitment to our mission to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community."

Nissan is a key supporter of the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) programs in Chicago, Atlanta and Jackson, Mississippi. The program, led by NSBE engineering students and technical professionals, is designed to be a fun and engaging educational experience. SEEK is a three-week summer program for elementary and middle school students covering math and science principles, problem solving, product development and team activities. Each week campers take on a new project culminating with a presentation, design competition and physical competitions.

"We are humbled to receive this prestigious award from the NSBE," said Jeffrey Webster, Nissan's Director of Diversity & Inclusion. "Nissan understands the need to prepare today's students for tomorrow's opportunities, and is proud to support the SEEK program in developing the next generation of diverse engineers."

Knowing that African Americans are underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields, Nissan partners with groups such as the NSBE to encourage minority students to pursue a STEM education. In 2015, Nissan donated $250,000 to six Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the Southeast to help support the schools' STEM initiatives, including programs that are designed to develop future engineers, programmers and scientists. Other STEM-focused programs Nissan supports include Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International's A World in Motion, League of United Latin American Citizen's (LULAC) National Educational Service Centers (LNESC) and DigiGirlz.

In February, as part of their Black History Month celebration, Nissan hosted the 100 Black Men Resume Challenge in Nashville, Tennessee. This program provides local high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to build their resume and learn interview skills through the mentorship of local business leaders, including Nissan executives.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. 

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 247,500 employees globally, Nissan sold 5.32 million vehicles and generated revenue of 11.38 trillion yen (USD 103.6 billion) in fiscal year 2014. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. It is the best-selling EV in history.