SoCal Communities Celebrate Hyundai and Genesis Grants for Dance, Health, and Education Programs
Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
It’s always an honor and breath of fresh air when corporate brands like Genesis Motor America and Hyundai Motor North America utilize their resources to positively impact communities with financial investments, donations, and support. I’ve been covering automotive products, events, and campaigns for 30 years now and have undoubtedly applauded both Korean automakers the most for their thoughtful acts of kindness, which have provided the youth with hope, opportunity, and platforms to excel.
The Community Mission
Hyundai’s global and omnipresent efforts fall under the Progress for Humanity moniker, which continuously gives back to communities across the country from Savannah to Philadelphia and a multitude of neighborhoods in California. Inherently resourceful, I was grateful to represent Hyundai, Hyundai Hope On Wheels, Genesis, and the Genesis Inspiration Foundation as each donated to various nonprofit organizations in California, with a focus on health, dance, and education.
Genesis GV80 Saves the Day
I landed at LAX from Baltimore and hit the ground running in a gorgeous Capri Blue 2025 Genesis GV80 3.5T AWD Prestige for my movements from event to event. The distinctive crossover incorporates a sporty exterior, a high-tech interior, dynamic lines, performance engineering, and luxury amenities. Of course, there is always traffic in the LA area so a vehicle providing ultimate comfort and connectivity amenities is required. Inside, the exquisite Korean cockpit is accentuated by the Genesis design philosophy and incorporates innovations to create a modish ambiance, such as a 27” OLED display that integrates the instrument cluster, multimedia, and navigation. My energetically balanced media loaner further featured a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, Mood Curator, Bang & Olufsen premium audio, and exclusive 22” alloy rims with distinguishing spokes.
Community and Science Collaborate at the Boys & Girls Club
For my first destination in the GV80 I set course to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley to observe the Genesis STEAM Program’s sphere of influence in partnership with Child Creativity Lab . The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics workshop guided 50 middle school students on how to develop their future mobility vehicles using upcycled materials. It was a day of joy watching the smiles and curiosity on their faces as they built various types of transportation models.
Following the technology tutorial, an electrified Genesis GV60 was displayed in front of the building, allowing young scholars to observe the design ethos and learn about the basics of electric vehicle (EV) components. I was amazed at how much they already knew about EVs and the various forms of automotive energy.
The Huntington Valley location is the #1 Boys & Girls Club in the nation for its community collaboration with Imagine Science. Its mission is to inspire and enable the healthy development of all young people, especially those who need educational development the most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring members of the community. Boys & Girls Clubs provide:
- A safe place to learn and grow
- Ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals
- Life-enhancing programs and character development experiences
- Hope and opportunity
Hosted by Brandon Ramirez, director of corporate social responsibility at Genesis Motor America, and Chris Gomez, senior manager and product planning at Genesis Motor America, STEAM was a dream come true for the young, inspirational minds. With the partnership of Child Creativity Lab, the group will foster the next generation of critical thinkers, problem solvers, innovators, leaders, and environmental stewards through hands-on creativity-enhancing exploration of STEAM concepts using renewable materials.
“At Genesis, we believe in the power of creativity,” said Brandon Ramirez. “By opening doors to creative learning opportunities that nurture diverse talents, we’re honored to help students explore passions and unlock their full potential both in and beyond the classroom.”
Long Live Childhood at Children’s Hospital of Orange County
It was an extremely emotional day, marked by powerful moments, tears, and gratitude for all in attendance at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), where Hyundai and Hyundai Hope on Wheels (HHOW)announced a cumulative donation of $200,000 for pediatric health services and pediatric cancer support. The journey of Pediatric Cancer here is not just for the patient but for the entire family who also endures the tribulations. National 12-year-old youth ambassador Emy delivered a thoughtful and courageous message about the importance of hope, even in the lowest of moments.
HHOW supports health programs and initiatives that uplift children and families. From patient care and medical research to community health initiatives, it hopes to invest in the holistic well-being of individuals, especially those in vulnerable communities. So far in 2025, the nonprofit organization has awarded $27 million in grants, bringing its total to $277 million since its inception to renowned institutions nationwide.
The importance of the moment can be measured by the executives in attendance including Claudia Márquez, chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor America; Kim Milstien, regional president, Orange County, Rady Children’s Health; Jessica Miley, senior vice president and chief development officer, CHOC Foundation; Dr. Lilibeth Torno, chief medical officer, Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC; John Guastaferro, executive director, Hyundai Hope on Wheels; and the unwavering support of 850 Hyundai dealers. Well done Hyundai for continuously enriching underserved communities and establishments.
Art, Fashion, and Theater at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy
The third and final community activation led me up the road to downtown Los Angeles where a youth arts education program would take precedence. Once again, I had the distinct pleasure of attending the Genesis Inspiration Foundation’s $100,000 grant presentation to the esteemed Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA).
At the core of the Genesis mission is the belief that inspiration is the most incredible luxury the group can deliver to children. Arts education fosters creativity, sparks curiosity, and introduces kids to a new world of possibilities. When children are inspired they create. This philosophy aligns perfectly with DADA’s, which focuses on disenfranchised Black and Latino communities by utilizing dance, theater, and performance to enrich, inspire, and transform the lives of its students. Many of Debbie’s students have gone on to receive scholarships to attend prestigious universities for dance. Arts education defines discipline, creativity, and self-confidence. These principles empower individuals whether they pursue a professional performing arts career or not.
Gifted by Shonda Rhimes, DADA’s 5-studio 2,500-square-foot theatre presents far more than just dancing; it’s a cultural immersion of artwork, fashion, and music. In fact, DADA puts on an array of art shows at the facility. At the entrance, you will be mesmerized by the creative murals of Debbie Allen and Obama, as well as a vibrant wall of light honoring the great, late Kobe Bryant.
Norman Ellard Nixon, a former Lakers point guard and husband of Debbie Allen, hosted our group at the facility, which included an enthusiastic dance performance by the students. He pointed out various hallmark gems, such as the piano that Berry Gordy donated in addition to one of his shoes, which DADA had bronzed. Some of the paintings featured during my visit were from award-winning American author and artist Kadir Nelson, whose work is exhibited in the permanent collections of several notable institutions including the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.
Another monumental and professional training opportunity spearheaded here is RISE, Debbie Allen Dance Academy’s Musical Theater program, which offers instruction in dance, acting, performance, and voice. All aspects of an artist’s experience, from the audition process to backstage etiquette and taking direction are put into motion under the direction of Ms. Allen and her master teachers. An industry showcase for casting directors, agents, managers, and other industry professionals is presented at the end of each semester. Bravo!
With no end in sight to community outreach and humanitarian needs, Hyundai and Genesis will Keep Beginning. Moreover, from a product standpoint, Genesis has committed to delivering luxury-performance vehicles with exceptional driving attributes. The Korean automaker’s ultimate goal is to expand its roster to meet the diverse and growing needs of its customers.
Children’s Hospital of Orange County Gallery
Boys & Girls Club Gallery
Debbie Allen Dance Academy Gallery
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