February 2023 Page 4 CDU Newsletter
Sylvia Drew Ivie Participates in Spotlight on Black History Month
Medical pioneer Dr . Charles R . Drew was honored during Black History month by the Greensboro Transit Agency ( GTA ) through the launch of their Black History Spotlight 2023 . One of the agency ’ s newest batteryelectric buses was unveiled displaying a custom design honoring innovators in medicine and science like Dr . Charles R . Drew and Gerald Lawson .
Sylvia Drew Ivie , daughter of Dr . Drew and the Senior Special Assistant to the President for Community Affairs , participated in a live interview with the transit company during the special event .
“ Having the image of our University ’ s namesake , Charles R . Drew , MD on buses all over Greensboro is something that would have amazed him ,” said Drew Ivie . “ It is especially touching today for me since it was in North Carolina that that my father ’ s fatal car accident occurred in 1950 . He was only 45 years old , but left us all with a tremendous gift of trained physicians and medical advancements in blood plasma extraction and preservation .”
The community event was held in person in Greensboro , North Carolina and live streamed across GTA ’ s Youtube , Facebook and Twitter pages .
“ I hope young people and community leaders who participated today will feel a connection to Charles R . Drew University of Medicine and Science and consider careers in health ,” shared Drew Ivie . “ My father and I would be so proud if they did .”
GTA assembles a program each year to honor Black History Month with the intention to help riders and the community keep pride in African-American legacies . In the past , GTA has featured Rosa Parks , Wendell Scott , Misty Copeland , Charlotte Hawkins Brown , and more .
Click here to view a recording of the program .