NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 11, 2014) – In conjunction with the announcement of the new Bridgestone Americas, Inc. headquarters in downtown Nashville, the U.S. subsidiary of the world’s largest tire and rubber company also announced a grant of $750,000 to Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools via the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund. The company has pledged $150,000 in each of the next five years in support of the Music Makes Us® initiative, directly impacting music education programs for local students.

The company has pledged $150,000 in each of the next five years in support of the Music Makes Us® initiative, directly impacting music education programs for local students.

“Bridgestone is honored to provide essential funding that directly impacts the education of our community’s youth,” said Christine Karbowiak, Bridgestone Americas Chief Administrative Officer and Chair of the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund. “We are committed to improving the communities in which we work and live through donations, sponsorships and volunteerism. This grant to Metro Schools illustrates the importance of our ongoing commitment to growing with Middle Tennessee.”

Music Makes Us® was launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership between Metro Schools, Mayor Karl Dean’s office, music industry leaders and community philanthropists. Now entering its third year, the program already has demonstrated its emerging impact on achievement and engagement among students and will continue to improve the quality, equity and accessibility of K-12 music in parallel with the next generation of work with both music teachers and community partners.

“At Bridgestone, we want to make sure we do our part to support Metro schools, which are vital to preparing our children for the world of tomorrow – and of course keep Music City strong for generations to come,” continued Karbowiak.

“Music Makes Us has a simple but powerful premise: Nashville is the best at music, so it should be the best at music education too,” Mayor Dean said. “Bridgestone’s generous contribution will allow Music Makes Us to make even more positive contributions to our schools and our young people’s lives.”

Bridgestone has a strong existing presence and has developed deep ties in the Middle Tennessee community over the last two decades. Through the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, the company has made substantial donations to local nonprofit and charitable organizations, including United Way, YMCA of Middle Tennessee and the Nashville Public Library. Additionally, Bridgestone teammates have spent countless hours volunteering and supporting schools throughout Middle Tennessee.

“We know from national research done in our own schools what a huge impact music can have in a child’s education,” said Director of Metro Schools Dr. Jesse Register. “Music students have higher graduation rates, attendance rates, grade point averages and ACT scores. This very generous gift from Bridgestone will help ensure more results like these as music education continues to grow stronger in Metro Schools. We thank them on behalf of our students, teachers and all of Nashville.”