EDITOR’S NOTE: Today, we continue our observance of Black History Month with a look at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn's Achievement exhibit, which opened one year ago.
by MotorCities Staff
Image Courtesy of MotorCities National Heritage Area
Published 2.28.2024
In February 2023, the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn opened their Achievement exhibit, featuring African American Success Stories in Automotive from 1873 – 2022. The exhibit has been celebrated as one of the first of its kind to recognize the significant, but often untold, stories of the contributions of African Americans across all sectors of the auto industry. The exhibit featured automotive designers like Ed Welburn of General Motors and Ralph Gilles of Stellantis; trailblazing contributors like Victor & Alma Green, publishers of the famed Green Book; and even an original World War II Rosie the Riveter, Ms. Clara Doutly of Detroit.
The project was recognized with MotorCities’ Award of Excellence in the Education/Interpretation category at our 25th Anniversary Gala last November at Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores.
The Automotive Hall of Fame team, from left to right: Siddharth Parashar, Marketing Manager; Sarah Cook, President; Melissa Terry, Public Programs Project Manager; Ryan Rembert, Exhibits & Educational Programs Curator; Kathleen Donald, Vice- President, Operations & New Programs; Morgan Pigott, Development Associate; Margarite Fourcroy, Director, Alumni Relations & Development; Tazma Brents, Alumni Relations Manager.
Recently, MotorCities Deputy Director Brian Yopp sat down for a discussion with the Auto Hall of Fame team behind the Achievement exhibit, including the following:
- Sarah Cook, President;
- Kathleen Donald, Vice- President, Operations & New Programs;
- Robert Tate, Automotive Historian & Researcher;
- Ryan Rembert, Exhibits & Educational Programs Curator;
- And Melissa Terry, Public Programs Project Manager
They shared stories about the inspiration, creation, and future of this award-winning exhibit.
To learn more about the project and watch the entire video, click here.