Press Room
Volkswagen Reaches Settlement Agreements on TDI Diesel Engine Vehicles
- Proposed settlement program includes vehicle buybacks and lease terminations, emissions modifications (if approved) and cash payments to affected customers for approximately 475,000 eligible 2.0L TDI vehicles
- Volkswagen agrees to $2.7 billion environmental remediation fund and to invest $2.0 billion in initiatives to promote the use of zero emissions vehicles in the U.S.
- Separate resolution with U.S. states settles consumer protection claims
Herndon, Va. /Wolfsburg, Germany (June 28, 2016) – Volkswagen AG announced today that it has reached settlement agreements with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the State of California; the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC); and private plaintiffs represented by the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (PSC) to resolve civil claims regarding eligible Volkswagen and Audi 2.0L TDI diesel engine vehicles in the United States. Of approximately 499,000 2.0L TDL vehicles that were produced for sale in the United States, approximately 460,000 Volkswagen and 15,000 Audi vehicles are currently in use and eligible for buybacks and lease terminations or emissions modifications, if approved by regulators. Volkswagen will establish a maximum funding pool for the 2.0L TDI settlement program of $10.033 billion. That amount assumes 100% participation and that 100% of eligible customers choose a buyback or lease termination.
The agreements covering the proposed 2.0L TDI settlement program are subject to the approval of Judge Charles R. Breyer of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, who presides over the federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL) proceedings related to the diesel matter.
Volkswagen also announced that it has agreed with the attorneys general of 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to resolve existing and potential state consumer protection claims related to the diesel matter for a total settlement amount of approximately $603 million.
“We take our commitment to make things right very seriously and believe these agreements are a significant step forward,” said Matthias Müller, Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen AG. “We appreciate the constructive engagement of all the parties, and are very grateful to our customers for their continued patience as the settlement approval process moves ahead. We know that we still have a great deal of work to do to earn back the trust of the American people. We are focused on resolving the outstanding issues and building a better company that can shape the future of integrated, sustainable mobility for our customers.”
Three agreements have been submitted to the Court for its approval with respect to the proposed 2.0L TDI settlement program: (1) a Consent Decree filed with the Court by the DOJ on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and by the State of California by and through the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Attorney General; (2) a Consent Order submitted by the FTC; and (3) a proposed class settlement agreement with the PSC on behalf of a nationwide settlement class of current and certain former owners and lessees of eligible 2.0L TDI Volkswagen and Audi vehicles. The parties believe that the class settlement as presented to the Court will provide a fair and reasonable resolution for affected Volkswagen and Audi customers. Volkswagen continues to work expeditiously to reach an agreed resolution for affected vehicles with 3.0L TDI V-6 diesel engines.
On April 22, 2016, Volkswagen recognized total exceptional charges of €16.2 billion in its financial statements for 2015 for worldwide provisions related to technical modifications and repurchases, legal risks and other items as a result of the diesel matter. As noted at that time, due to the complexities and legal uncertainties associated with resolving the diesel matter, a future assessment of the risks may be different.
“Today’s announcement is within the scope of our provisions and other financial liabilities that we have already disclosed, and we are in a position to manage the consequences. It provides further clarity for our U.S. customers and dealers as well as for our shareholders. Settlements of this magnitude are clearly a very significant burden for our business. We will now focus on implementing our TOGETHER-Strategy 2025 and improving operational excellence across the Volkswagen Group,” said Frank Witter, Chief Financial Officer of Volkswagen AG.
The agreements announced today are not an admission of liability by Volkswagen. By their terms, they are not intended to apply to or affect Volkswagen’s obligations under the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction outside the United States. Regulations governing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions limits for vehicles in the United States are much stricter than those in other parts of the world and the engine variants also differ significantly. This makes the development of technical solutions in the United States more challenging than in Europe and other parts of the world, where implementation of an approved program to modify TDI vehicles to comply fully with UN/ECE and European emissions standards has already begun by agreement with the relevant authorities.
Proposed 2.0L TDI Settlements
Subject to Court approval of the proposed 2.0L TDI settlement program, Volkswagen has agreed, among other terms, to:
Buy back or terminate the leases of eligible vehicles, or provide free emissions modifications (if approved by the EPA and CARB), and also make cash payments to affected current and certain former owners and lessees.
o Volkswagen will establish a single funding pool to cover the 2.0L TDI settlement program. The maximum funding amount will not exceed $10.033 billion and is dependent on how many customers participate in the program and which option they choose if proposed modifications are approved.
o Customers can choose to sell back their vehicle to Volkswagen or terminate their lease without penalty, or, if a modification is approved, choose to have their vehicle modified free of charge and keep it. Customers who select any of these options will also receive a cash payment from Volkswagen.
o An eligible vehicle’s value for a buyback will be determined based on the Clean Trade-In Value as published in the September 2015 edition of the NADA Used Car Guide, with adjustments for factory options and mileage.
Support the following environmental programs in the United States by agreement with the EPA and CARB:
o Pay $2.7 billion over three years into an environmental trust, managed by a trustee appointed by the Court, to remediate excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from 2.0L TDI vehicles.
o Invest $2.0 billion over 10 years in zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure, access and awareness initiatives.
Volkswagen will begin the settlement program as soon as the Court grants final approval to the settlement agreements. At the earliest, approval will occur in the fall of 2016. Potential claimants under the class settlement do not need to contact Volkswagen or Audi, or their dealers, at this time. Individual class members will receive extensive notification of their rights and options (including the option to “opt out” of the settlement agreement) if the Court grants preliminary approval of the proposed class settlement at a hearing scheduled to take place on July 26, 2016.
More information about the proposed 2.0L TDI settlement program, including the settlement agreements in full, can be found at www.VWCourtSettlement.com or www.AudiCourtSettlement.com.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Volkswagen in the United States
Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, employs more than 6,000 people in the United States and supports more than 1,000 dealer locations in all 50 states. Volkswagen has more than 60 years of history in the United States, where VWGoA maintains more than 30 U.S. locations including a LEED Platinum-certified manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The Chattanooga facility employs more than 2,500 people and supports suppliers who provide some 9,200 jobs. The facility produces the Volkswagen Passat and will launch production of a new, seven-passenger midsize SUV in late 2016. Volkswagen is investing $900 million to expand its U.S. manufacturing footprint through production of the new SUV as part of Volkswagen AG’s plan to invest more than $7 billion in North America from 2015 through 2019.
Finish reading the press release about the settlement here.
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PRESS ROOM: Southern University Just Made HBCU History. The National Championship Is Next.
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Southern University’s competitor, Coby Robinson, delivered the performance that sealed it. Down a game to Indiana University East, Robinson came back to win Game 2 by a commanding 41-21 margin. Game 3 went to overtime, and with the season on the line, Robinson executed a perfect field goal to close it 45-42 and send Southern University to the national stage.
BATON ROUGE, LA
For the first time ever, an HBCU has qualified for the ECAC EA Sports College Football Division 2 National Championship, and that program is Southern University, and that moment belongs to Baton Rouge.
This happened by design. Southern University has been building something inside the Esports Innovation Lab that most institutions are still trying to figure out. The Digital Gaming Ecosystem, known as EDGE, was designed from the ground up to develop students who compete at the highest level and carry the institution’s name with distinction. Wednesday night is proof that the investment is working.
Southern University’s competitor, Coby Robinson, delivered the performance that sealed it. Down a game to Indiana University East, Robinson came back to win Game 2 by a commanding 41-21 margin. Game 3 went to overtime, and with the season on the line, Robinson executed a perfect field goal to close it 45-42 and send Southern University to the national stage.
Christopher Turner, Director and Head Coach of Southern University EDGE, captured the weight of the moment: “This is a monumental moment for Southern University and for the entire HBCU landscape. This is about showing the world that our excellence in esports is just as historic as our excellence on the football field.”
The Jaguar community now has one clear assignment, and that is to show up in force.
The championship match is set for Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM CST. Southern University enters as the No. 2 seed, facing No. 1 Bellarmine University in a matchup that the entire HBCU world will be watching.
Watch the full semifinal comeback: Twitch Semifinal Broadcast
Stream the championship live at twitch.tv/subr_esports, and if you are in Baton Rouge, attend in person at the Esports Innovation Lab inside the Southern University Student Union.
Southern University has always competed at the highest level, and now the entire nation is watching to see what the Jaguars will do with this moment.
Championship Match Details Matchup: No. 1 Bellarmine University vs. No. 2 Southern University Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CST Stream: twitch.tv/subr_esports In-Person: Esports Innovation Lab, Southern University Student Union
About Southern University Esports (EDGE) Southern University’s Digital Gaming Ecosystem exists to prove that Jaguar excellence has no ceiling. Through competitive gaming, content creation, and STEAM-based career development, EDGE prepares students for the evolving digital landscape while writing new chapters in HBCU history.
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Revolve Fund to Provide $20,000 to Support Food Access Efforts in Alabama Black Belt
THE AFRO — “Revolve Fund complements its core mission of improving capital access for entrepreneurs by partnering with leading organizations that are addressing critical community needs,” said James Wahls, founder and managing director of Revolve Fund. “Like BBCF, Revolve understands at the most fundamental level, everyone should have access to healthy food.”
By Revolve Fund | The AFRO
SELMA – As over 40 million Americans grappled with the reality of not being able to feed themselves or their families due to SNAP delays, Revolve Fund is seeking to help. Revolve Fund has announced a $20,000 community grant to the Black Belt Community Foundation as part of the duo’s continued partnership. The grant will increase the foundation’s capacity to execute programs and fundraise to support food access efforts in the Alabama Black Belt region.
“Revolve Fund complements its core mission of improving capital access for entrepreneurs by partnering with leading organizations that are addressing critical community needs,” said James Wahls, founder and managing director of Revolve Fund. “Like BBCF, Revolve understands at the most fundamental level, everyone should have access to healthy food.”
“BBCF is deeply grateful for the Revolve Fund’s grant to underwrite direct food support in the Black Belt during the current disruption of SNAP benefits, continuing high food costs and unprecedented strain on our local food banks,” said Christopher Spencer, president and CEO, Black Belt Community Foundation. “As BBCF mobilizes resources and community partners during this time, Revolve is one of the first philanthropic organizations to step forward to support our Food for Families in the Black Belt Campaign. We look ahead to our productive, continued partnership with them to positively impact and transform the Black Belt region of Alabama.”
“While our communities need and deserve so much more, we hope our contribution will support the foundation’s ability to work with other philanthropic partners, individual donors, charities, and public partners,” Wahls added.
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PRESS ROOM: PMG and Cranbrook Horizons-Upward Bound Launch Journey Fellowship Cohort 2
NNPA NEWSWIRE — With this program, I was able to see that my peers were more than the narrative I had given them,” says Alan Carlisle, 10th-grade student at Cass Technical High School and 2026 Journey Fellow. “I learned the difference between critique and criticism, and I’ve grown as a young man alongside my peers.”
Detroit, MI — PMG Agency has launched Cohort 2 of the PMG Journey Fellowship in partnership with Cranbrook Horizons-Upward Bound (HUB), supported by the Flagstar Foundation, which has funded the fellowship since its inception. The Journey Fellowship equips students with tools to understand how narratives shape perception, opportunity, and identity, with post-program evaluation showing measurable growth in media awareness and discernment.
Building on HUB’s college access mission, the program examines how repeated messages influence judgment, reinforce bias, or attach limiting labels. Fellows are challenged to question assumptions and define themselves by their values and aspirations rather than inherited narratives.
Through structured dialogue and creative storytelling exercises, students strengthen critical thinking and confidence. They study how stories are framed in media and culture and learn how story functions not only as expression, but as strategy. Education and youth development professionals rated the PMG Journey Fellowship five out of five stars, with 100 percent reporting that the intellectual depth of the youth elevated or shifted their perception.
“With this program, I was able to see that my peers were more than the narrative I had given them,” says Alan Carlisle, 10th-grade student at Cass Technical High School and 2026 Journey Fellow. “I learned the difference between critique and criticism, and I’ve grown as a young man alongside my peers.”
The Journey Fellowship was designed and is led by Ken L. Porter, Executive Producer and Chief Visionary of PMG Agency. “When youth understand how narratives take shape, they move differently,” says Porter. “They become more thoughtful about what they accept, what they repeat, and how they define themselves.”
“It was powerful to partner with PMG Agency to bring the Journey Fellowship to HUB and introduce students to storytelling in a way that affirmed and strengthened their own narratives,” says Dillon A. Brown, Director of Development at HUB.
Katherine Morgan, President of the Flagstar Foundation, adds a call to action to future funders, “The PMG Journey Fellowship is the right type of program that you should be funding. This is important work.”
Cohort 2 also received support from the Wayne County Sheriff Youth and Senior Education Fund, with additional partnership from Project Boss Up and collaboration with Detroit CARES, an affiliate of The National CARES Mentoring Movement.
PMG Agency is a Detroit-based narrative change and experiential storytelling firm focused on elevating aspirational and authentic narratives through its Journey of Stories film series, the Black Excellence Impact Dinner series, and the PMG Journey Fellowship.
For more information, visit pmgjourneyfellows.com.
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PRESS ROOM: From Congress to Corporate America: NNPA Spotlights Visionaries in New Video Series
NNPA NEWSWIRE — For the next six weeks and beyond the “Leadership Matters” video series will be repeatedly broadcast on the NNPA’s www.BlackPressUSA and on numerous NNPA member publishers’ social media channels across the nation in addition to being highlighted in NNPA print and digital publications.
Washington, DC: The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing the Black Press of America, is pleased to announce the launch of our 2026 “Leadership Matters” video series.
Working in collaboration with Events DC and PKB Enterprises, with corporate support, the NNPA produced 6 exclusive thirty-minute-long video interviews featuring some of the nation’s most effective and transformative leaders.
For the next six weeks and beyond, the “Leadership Matters” video series will be repeatedly broadcast on the NNPA’s www.BlackPressUSA and on numerous NNPA member publishers’ social media channels across the nation, in addition to being highlighted in NNPA print and digital publications.
The following are the national leaders who have been videotaped for the NNPA “Leadership Matters” series: The Honorable Congressman James Clyburn and Rhonda Mims, Executive Vice President of AmeriHealth Caritas; The Honorable Congressman Troy A. Carter and Fred Humphries, Corporate Vice President of U.S. Government Affairs for Microsoft; The Honorable Congressman Steven Horsford and Dr. Steven Johnson, Executive Vice President of Events DC; The Honorable Senator Alsobrooks, D-MD, and Mamar Gelaye, Vice President of Amazon; and The Honorable Governor Wes Moore of Maryland.
The NNPA is grateful for the support and sponsorship from Amazon, Microsoft, Events, DC, AmeriHealth Caritas, Bayer, and the PKB Enterprises whose generosity enabled and made possible the production and distribution of the “Leadership Matters” video series.
Black History
PRESS ROOM: NBA Hall of Fame Nominee Terry Cummings Joins 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to Launch Victory & Values Initiative
NNPA NEWSWIRE — NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th.
Cummings becomes an honorary member, joining other role model sports stars

NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings has officially become an honorary member of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, marking a powerful new chapter for the 100 Black Men and youth development across the region.
Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th. The moment signified more than membership — it marked the launch of the organization’s transformative new platform, the Victory & Values Initiative.
The Victory & Values Initiative is a groundbreaking youth development program designed to empower elementary and middle school students through a dynamic blend of sports, mentorship, and STEM exposure. The initiative focuses on building health, discipline, character, leadership, and access to opportunity — creating pathways for long-term academic and personal success.
“This is about more than sports,” said Cummings during the ceremony. “It’s about using the platform of athletics to teach life lessons, create access, and build the next generation of leaders.”
The induction ceremony also featured notable guests including NASCAR’s newest Star Driver, Lavar Scott and NASCAR Director of Athletic Performance, Phil Horton, who joined Cummings for a powerful Victory & Values Town Hall discussion. The Town Hall was moderated by renowned Sports Emcee John Hollins and focused on leadership, resilience, discipline, and the importance of mentorship in shaping young lives.
A “Day at NASCAR” for 75+ Youth

Cummings wasted no time getting to work. On his first full day as an honorary member, he joined his new brothers of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to host a “Day at NASCAR,” escorting more than 75 youth to a once-in-a-lifetime experience at EchoPark Motor Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway).
The youth participants received behind-the-scenes access including: an exclusive tour of Pit Row, access to the Garage Area and exploration of the interactive Fan Zone.
The experience culminated with a surprise meet-and-greet and Q&A session with NASCAR Superstar Bubba Wallace, who shared insights on perseverance, preparation, and breaking barriers in professional sports.
The day served as a living example of the ‘Victory & Values’ Initiative in action — exposing youth to new industries, expanding their vision for the future, and connecting them directly with high- level mentors and role models.

Building Leaders Through Access and Mentorship
The 100 Black Men of DeKalb County – a chapter of the largest, national mentoring organization in the county – continues to expand its footprint with programs focused on academic excellence, economic empowerment, leadership development, and health & wellness.
The launch of ‘Victory & Values’ represents a strategic expansion of the organization’s impact
- intentionally integrating athletics and STEM to engage youth at an early age while reinforcing core principles such as integrity, accountability, teamwork, and perseverance.
“Our mission has always been to mentor the next generation,” said Vaughn Irons, President-Elect of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. “With Terry Cummings joining the brotherhood, along with partners in NASCAR and professional sports, we are creating unprecedented access and exposure for our youth. Victory & Values is about turning inspiration into structured opportunity.”
By connecting elementary and middle school students to professional athletes, executives, STEM professionals, and community leaders, the initiative aims to:
- Increase youth exposure to careers in sports business, engineering, and performance science
- Strengthen mentorship pipelines
- Promote physical wellness and mental resilience
- Build character-driven leadership at an early age
Open Invitation to Youth and Families
All youth are invited to participate in the Victory & Values Initiative, along with the other countless, impactful programs offered by the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County.
Parents and guardians seeking mentorship, leadership development, academic enrichment, and transformative exposure opportunities for their children are encouraged to connect with the organization.
As NBA Legend Terry Cummings’ induction demonstrates, Victory & Values is more than a program — it is a movement designed to build champions in life, not just in sports.
For more information about the Victory & Values Initiative or to enroll a student, contact: 100 Black Men of DeKalb County at Phone at 404.241.1338, [email protected] or Tee Foxx at 404.791.6525,
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PRESS ROOM: Civil Rights TV Launches in Selma as the World’s First 24/7 Civil Rights Television Network
ARIZONA INFORMANT — Civil Rights TV operates continuously on the Connect To Your City OTT platform powered by Connect2OTT, offering documentaries, news analysis, live discussions, educational programming, global civil rights coverage, and cultural storytelling. The channel functions as both a historical archive and a living platform addressing contemporary civil rights challenges.
Arizona Informant

SELMA, Ala. — Civil Rights TV, the world’s first 24-hour television network dedicated exclusively to civil rights history, education, and future equity, has officially launched on the Connect To Your City OTT platform powered by Connect2OTT.
The network debuts from Selma, Alabama — one of the most historically significant cities in the American civil rights movement — marking a new chapter in how civil rights stories are preserved, amplified, and carried forward for future generations.
Civil Rights TV operates continuously on the Connect To Your City OTT platform powered by Connect2OTT, offering documentaries, news analysis, live discussions, educational programming, global civil rights coverage, and cultural storytelling. The channel functions as both a historical archive and a living platform addressing contemporary civil rights challenges.
Civil Rights, Technology, and the AI Era
As technology and artificial intelligence increasingly shape access to information, media, and opportunity, Civil Rights TV launches at a moment when access to digital infrastructure itself is emerging as a civil rights issue.
Media fragmentation, misinformation, and uneven access to technology continue to reshape public discourse. While on-demand platforms have expanded individual content access, large-scale live broadcasting still faces challenges related to congestion, latency, and energy consumption.
Civil Rights TV leverages broadcast-efficient OTT architecture designed to reduce bandwidth usage and energy requirements, enabling continuous global distribution without placing added strain on network infrastructure.

Why Civil Rights TV Matters Now
Civil Rights TV is not only a media launch—it is a signal.
The network underscores the importance of preserving civil rights history using the most accurate and comprehensive sources available. For generations, the Black press has maintained some of the deepest and most reliable documentation of the civil rights movement, currents events, news and critical Black history, much of which remains underrepresented in modern digital media archives and inaccessible to artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
As a result, Civil Rights TV will rely heavily on national Black press for news, historical archives and independent voices. Prominent digital news platforms, podcasts, and broadcasters—will play an instrumental role in shaping continuous coverage, historical interpretation, and public discourse.
About Connect2OTT
Connect2OTT currently manages more than 250 live 24/7 television and radio channels streaming to audiences in more than 190 countries. Civil Rights TV joins this ecosystem as a flagship channel, designed to foster global conversation while demonstrating how media distribution, energy efficiency, and AI readiness can coexist responsibly.

About Larry Witherspoon
Larry Witherspoon is a technology entrepreneur and founder of Phoenix-based Connect2 Technologies, LLC, including Connect2OTT, Connect2AI, and Connect To Your City OTT Platform.
In 2006, Witherspoon launched FaithFone Wireless, the world’s first Christian-owned and operated mobile phone company—years ahead of today’s fintech and mobile banking platforms. As a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), FaithFone introduced mobile banking, digital tithing, live television and radio, content downloads, and branded debit- card-based person-to-person payment functionality before mobile commerce was widely understood by major telecom and financial institutions.
That early convergence of mobile, media, and financial technology laid the foundation for Witherspoon’s current work across AI, energy efficiency, broadcasting, and infrastructure optimization.
Community Content Submissions
Civil Rights TV welcomes article submissions from trusted community voices, journalists, and verified organizations. Content may be submitted through an official upload portal or via email for editorial review.
Submissions approved for broadcast will be scheduled during the network’s community programming window from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., with select pieces considered for prime- time airing based on their significance, accuracy, and value to the broader civil rights dialogue.
Media Contact Tina Michelle
Connect2OTT / Civil Rights TV Phone: (480) 740-7777
Email: [email protected] Website: CivilRightsTV.com
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