Honda announced this week that the keys for the very first U.S. 2021 Civic Type R Limited Edition (Serial Plate 001) went to Utah native, Zander L., winner of the Honda Civic Type R Omaze sweepstakes. As part of the sweepstakes grand prize, the winner also was awarded a once-in-a-lifetime racetrack experience with Honda IndyCar driver, Colton Herta.

With entries from more than 41,000 Civic Type R fans, the sweepstakes raised over $500,000 to support the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) in the form of grants from CAF America, that will benefit a wide range of programs supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and students. These include student development initiatives andthe Foundation’s COVID-19 HBCU Emergency Fund, which supports students in areas such as mental health, housing, food insecurity and technology. Honda has a more than 30-year relationship with HBCU schools. 

“We’re grateful to everyone who helped us raise over a half million dollars in grants to support the Thurgood Marshall College Fund through the Honda Civic Type R Omaze sweepstakes,” said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president of the Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion & Diversity Divisions, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “This is truly a win-win result, with a loyal Honda fan winning our pinnacle Civic Type R and HBCUs receiving much-needed assistance at a time when the students and schools need extra support due to the community impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

“The overwhelming contribution we’ve received through the Honda Civic Type R Omaze sweepstakes will help support our HBCU communities as well as student development initiatives that prepare young, Black talent for successful careers,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of TMCF. “These programs work to bridge the gap between technology and business acumen, which is critical in leveling the playing field for HBCU students.”

“As a diehard Honda fan and past Civic owner, winning the very first Civic Type R Limited Edition in the U.S. is beyond my wildest dreams, and having Colton Herta personally guide me around the track was one of the greatest experiences of my life,” said Zander L., winner of the Type R Omaze grand prize. “I’m so grateful that I took a chance and entered – this is truly once-in-a-lifetime.”

Sweepstakes Donations Help Support HBCUs
Honda has supported the success and dreams of HBCU students for over three decades through initiatives like Honda Campus All-Star Challenge and Honda Battle of the Bands. Since 2018, Honda also has partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to provide annual scholarship funding to support HBCU students pursuing an education in engineering, supply chain management and manufacturing-related fields.

In addition to supporting TMCF’s COVID-19 HBCU Emergency Fund, funds raised through the Honda Civic Type R Omaze sweepstakes will support TMCF’s Learning Management System (LMS) and The Pitch programs. LMS provides nearly 7,000 HBCU students with training modules on critical soft skills, which are particularly helpful to first-generation students who are the first in their families to attend college or pursue a corporate career. The Pitch is the signature event of TMCF’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, which helps cultivate a new generation of Black founders, innovators, and business leaders.