Motoring While Black
LOS ANGELES, CA – This past weekend, Motoring While Black in partnership with Vintage Japanese Motor Union hosted its highly anticipated Black History Month Mixer, bringing together more than 100 car enthusiasts, industry professionals, and community members in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles to celebrate the intersection of car culture and Black history. The event provided a space for meaningful conversations, networking, and appreciation of automotive passion within Black communities and other communities of color.
Now in its third year, the Black History Month celebration has become a must-attend gathering, creating a welcoming environment for car enthusiasts of color to connect through their shared love of cars. This year’s event also welcomed notable guests, including comedian and actor Byron Bowers, Los Angeles Chargers’ Ja’Sir Taylor, and rapper Murs, further underscoring its growing influence and importance within various communities.
What began as an Instagram account during the COVID-19 pandemic – showcasing the cars of Motoring While Black founder and creator Rashod Bacon – has since evolved into a movement to foster inclusivity, cultural pride, and a deeper sense of belonging within the automotive space. Recognizing that enthusiasts of color are often the only ones in the room at traditional car gatherings, Bacon saw an opportunity to create a space that was not only about cars but also about culture, representation, and community upliftment.
“The event almost didn’t happen this year,” said Bacon. “January was tough on our community after the fires, and with so much uncertainty, we weren’t sure if we could pull it off. But seeing how much this gathering means to people reaffirmed that it had to happen. This event is about more than cars; it’s about uplifting each other and celebrating our culture.“
Among the supporters of this year’s event was Hemmings, the world’s largest collector car marketplace and a name long synonymous with automotive heritage. As a sponsor, Hemmings played an integral role in making the event possible, demonstrating its commitment to fostering diverse voices and communities within the car enthusiast world.
The Black History Month Mixer continues to serve as a platform where car culture and community empowerment meet, reminding attendees that the road ahead is best traveled together.
For more information about Motoring While Black and future events, follow @MotoringWhileBlack on social media.
About Motoring While Black – Motoring While Black is a creative outlet and community platform dedicated to motoring enthusiasts of color. Founded by Rashod Bacon in 2020, it was born from his experiences navigating the Los Angeles car scene, where enthusiasts of color were present but often disconnected across separate communities. Through storytelling, photography, and events like the annual Black History Month Mixer, Motoring While Black fosters connection, representation, and cultural celebration within the automotive world, redefining inclusivity in car culture. Follow @MotoringWhileBlack on Instagram for more.
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