Driving The Midwest! YESSS! The Grand Prize!

I remember when I was working heavy in politics back in the 80's you couldn't catch a progressive politician in a foreign car. Even Rev. Jesse L. Jackson drove a Buick. Well, that was the family car and what he rode in back and forth to PUSH and to the airport. Mrs. Jackson drove it mostly.

The Jackson's only had one car and Rev. Jackson would go get a new one every two years and it would always be the same Buick. We cracked up one year when he came home with a different color of the same car. Us young folks would laugh and laugh, thinking he was way old fashion.

Then in 1984, I went on the campaign trail during the Democratic primary and met many of the workers who actually built these cars. I listened to their stories as they told them to Jesse Jackson, then a presidential candidate. I started to understand why Rev. Jackson never diverted from American made cars. Buying one meant that we helped to feed our own. At my core, I understood the importance of Made in the USA, but something happened along my way.

Well, call it buppyism. By the time I was 32, I was driving a BMW, the ultimate in the statement car. And I rationalized it in spite of what I felt was right by saying, "Germans makes the best cars." When asked, I would mumble, "American technology needs to catch up with the rest of the world."

Grandmama had one just like this!

 I know we've all said it at one time or the other, so STOP lying. Then I watched in horror at the possibility that American made cars would be something of the past and then with a sigh of relief our government thought it was worth saving; not just because we have a rich history in the automotive industry, but we also save jobs for thousands of Americans.

Somewhere between one of my BMW's I started to take notice. My last car was a Jaguar the once British, now American made vehicle. But honestly, I never really paid serious attention to GMC/Chevy until recently.

Connie in the all black... BBSumitt

I first started paying attention when I met Connie Burke the Social Media Guru at GMC. I was hanging out at a Tweet-up with my good girlfriend/blogger Dwana.  It wasn't a vehicle I saw that day that got my attention, but a program that I thought was admirable called, Chevy Missions. I really started to pay attention. You know I'm a sucker for a good cause. In the months after, I would see Connie at other Social Media events and get a peek inside of the GMC/Chevy vehicles she had on hand. I was impressed. Then last year, Connie asked me if I would like to have a car for a week. It came right on time. That Buick LaCrosse was wonderful!!  You can read about my Thanksgiving ventures driving a Buick HERE.

So this time, I reached out to Connie. Living on Chicago's Gold Coast, I don't always need a car, but I this Tweet-Up requires one. Cause let me tell you, my first Tweet-up I did 90% of the running around picking up raffles and swag bags items on the bus, walking and taxi. I was not trying to do that this time around.

So I thought I would reach out to Connie. They have another program that I love and I thought this would be a chance to give them some PR. GMC Our Town, Our Heroes is a wonderful program. It allows people to nominate individuals from their community that are making a difference.  The winner gets a vehicle for a week and a $500.00 gift card. Here are the details....

Our Town, Our Heroes information:

• Our Town, Our Heroes is an Illinois-based program seeking to recognize and reward local heroes making a difference in their community.
• Each month, we feature nominated finalists and showcase them on DrivingtheMidwest.com for a two-week voting period.
• The public chooses the winner by voting for the hero they think is the most inspiring.
• The winning hero, and his or her nominator, wins a one-week loan of an all-new General Motors vehicle. The winning hero also receives a $500 gift card.
• Nominations are easy – submit a photo and a short description on why your hero inspires you on DrivingtheMidwest.com

Markeeda's Car!

Now that's Cool!! If you know someone who is worthy, Nominate them HERE. I think it's a wonderful thing that GMC/Chevy are giving back to the communities that have helped to make them a house hold name over the years. I know that was true for my family. The only car my grandmother ever owned was a Cadillac and now my BFF Markeeda drives a Cadillac CTS. These types of programs by GMC/Chevy are America at our best; when we not only take notice of our community, but we give back.

You must checkout the Our Town, Our Heroes Program, I know there is someone that you know that is worth the recognition. There are so many unsung heroes, who do the work daily to help enrich the lives of others. I think it's great and GMC thinks so too.

I'm also honored that GMC/Chevy are partnering with me. Y'all know I am a tad provocative on Twitter and in this Blog, but my ministry is meeting people where they are at, right in their heart and gut. I'm always elated when a company does not mind attaching their brand to my work. At the core, there is still so much stigma around HIV/AIDS. When a brand supports my work, they are taking a stand against this stigma.

So let me tell you, I've been driving this wonderful Terrain Truck around all week, picking up the raffle prizes and all the goodies for the swag bags thanks to GMC. But guess what?  You could also win a chance to drive around a GMC/Chevy Vehicle. YESSSS! The grand prize raffle at my Book Signing, Meet/Tweet-Up is a one week free use of a vehicle. You MUST be 21 to enter with an Illinois Driver's license. You MUST be there at the time of the drawing to win!

I have rules to enter and GMC/Chevy have rules to enter

RLT Rules--- All The Links Are Live... You can just click them there.

1. Follow on Twitter @ThisisGMC

2. Follow on Twitter @DrivingMidwest

3. Follow on Twitter @ConnieBurke

3. Follow on Twitter @DonnasCafe

4. Like on Facebook Our Town-Our Heros

5. Like on Facebook Donna's Cafe

5. At The Event you must take pictures and or video of the Terrain that will be parked in front of Donna's Cafe and Tweet, Instgram  Facebook them. We want to know what you like best about the Terrinn AND what you think about them partnering with me/RLTEvent... I want some creativity Lovely's! The Hash Tags #GMCRLT #FightHIVStigma

You can ONLY enter after you have done all the above things the evening of the Tweet-Up and we will look...  Event Details HERE!

GMC/Chevy Rules

1. You Must Be Twenty-One Years of Age.

2. You must have a current Illinois Drivers License

3. You will win a one-week loan of a General Motors vehicle. Please know vehicles are subject to availably

4. You must book your loan within six weeks of the event date August 25, 2012