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Ford Tech Spotlight: Interview with HBCU Hampton Grad Telisha Everett
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Ford’s mission to build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. Supporting HBCUs and driving towards not only attracting but retaining talent from these institutions are a part of their efforts to contribute towards strengthening communities.
Ford’s mission to build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. Supporting HBCUs and driving towards not only attracting but retaining talent from these institutions are a part of their efforts to contribute towards strengthening communities.
We had the chance to speak with the Cyber Defense Analyst at Ford and Hampton University graduate, Telisha Everett, sharing her experience at an HBCU and how it has impacted her in the long run.
Q: Why an HBCU, and specifically Hampton, vs other institutions?
Telisha: Growing up watching BET College tours, I thought “oh, you could go away from home to go to college”. I knew I wanted to do something like that. I went to go visit Hampton and it seemed like home and welcomed me. That’s how my high school was as well so I was looking for that aspect when I went off to college.
The classes were smaller, so I figured the professors are going to know my name which I really wanted. I didn’t want to be in a class with 200-something different people. Also, Hampton has a very good reputation, a lot of people were proud to come out of Hampton.
Q: So, do you recommend HBCUs for upcoming students and why?
Telisha: Yes, I definitely do. I encourage everyone to go to an HBCU, it was some of the best years of my life. I’ve even met people after I graduated that stated they wished they went to a HBCU. There are different opportunities that are afforded to you, the people that you will meet in your life – you just truly meet your family there.
Q: So, how did your career lead you to working at Ford?
Telisha: In the Computer Science department at Hampton University, throughout the school year, we have something called info sessions where companies will come in and recruit for interns and full-time hires. I applied and went through the process, I interned with Ford summer 2018 and I graduated in December of 2018.
By the time my internship ended, I had a full-time offer. It was such a great cultural experience as well. At Ford, they really invest in your career and placing you where you fit best. If you want to try anything new, like switching within your department, it’s encouraged, and you don’t have to stay stagnate in one position.
Q: So, what advice would you give to women in the cybersecurity space, especially women of color, who are working to excel and break the mold themselves?
Telisha: We are in the space. Me personally, I love being the only person in the room to show people that I’m here. I like proving people wrong. I like showing people how smart I am and it’s just another barrier that has to be broken. Especially being a double minority. Someone may be looking up to you. So, I would say keep going and looking towards the big picture.
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2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring Review — Is This $136K EV Sedan Worth It?
AUTONETWORK ON BLACKPRESSUSA — Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, but it still feels elegant instead of trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.
The 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring is the kind of luxury EV that makes people stop and ask a simple question: Is this really better than a Tesla Model S, Mercedes EQS, or BMW i7? At $136,150, it has to do more than look futuristic. It has to feel special every time you get in it.
Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, yet it still feels elegant rather than trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.
Inside is where the Air Grand Touring really makes its case. The 34-inch Glass Cockpit Display and retractable Pilot Panel screen give the cabin a clean, modern look that still feels different from other EVs. The Tahoe Extended Leather and Lucid Black Alcantara headliner lifts the sense of occasion, and the front seats are a highlight. They are 20-way power-adjustable, heated, ventilated, and include massage. That matters because luxury buyers at this price expect comfort first.
Rear passengers are not ignored either. You get 5-zone heated rear seating, a rear center console display, and power rear and rear side window sunshades. Add in the Surreal Sound Pro system with 21 speakers, and the Air feels like a true long-distance luxury sedan.
Lucid also gives this car serious EV hardware. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, 900V+ charging architecture, and Wunderbox onboard charger are big talking points. Buyers in this segment care about range, charging speed, and everyday ease, not just raw performance. That is where the Lucid continues to stand out.
On the technology side, the Air Grand Touring includes DreamDrive Premium, with 3D Surround View Monitoring, Blind Spot Warning, Automatic Park In and Out, Automatic Emergency Braking, and a Driver Monitoring System with distracted and drowsy driver alerts. This one also has DreamDrive Pro, which adds future-capable ADAS hardware.
There are still some real-world annoyances. Based on your notes, the windshield wiper control is hard to find and use, and that matters more than people think in a high-tech car. When controls become less intuitive, even a beautiful interior can feel frustrating.
Still, the 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring succeeds where it matters most. It feels luxurious, advanced, comfortable, and thoughtfully engineered. For buyers who want an EV sedan that feels truly premium and less common than the usual choices, this Lucid makes a very strong case.
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