Meet Tia Norfleet, Nascar’s first, youngest and only African-American woman race car driver.
Just like President Obama and the Williams sisters, Tia is opening up doors of diversity in a predominately White male-oriented sport.
NASCAR has long been accused of racial discrimination, with multiple lawsuits filed by ethnic minorities accusing the organization of bias. With that, many people wonder why Norfleet wants to compete on the circuit. “It is sheer passion and instinct that drives this youngster to want to compete in this sport, she was born to compete,” says Isaac Hayes, spokesperson/CEO of the online fund raising organization, Tiapower.com.
Norfleet comes from a family with a long racing history. Her father, Bobby Norfleet, made his NASCAR debut at the Portland International Raceway road course on March 26, 2000, where he competed against NASCAR driver Bill Lester. It was the only time in NASCAR history that two African-Americans drivers have competed at the same time.
With many accolades of her own — including being spokesperson for the Safe America Diving program, and appearing in commercials such as the Verizon wireless, numerous magazine ads and radio and television interviews — Tia Norfleet hopes to inspire Black women everywhere to follow their dreams.
The question remains, will the NASCAR community accept Tia for who she is? “Our goal is to raise funds needed for everyone to find out,” says Edward Williams, founder of the medium sized marketing company Team Tia.
Taking a page out of President Obama’s playbook, the group is going grassroots to make history. Williams said “If President Obama can raise $700 million, surely we can raise $5 million to get Tia on the track. We have a good team and I think with the public’s help we can get Tia on the track and testing in two weeks.
“To ensure the success of this effort to fundraise,” says Hayes, CEO of Tiapower.com, “we have inked a lucrative deal with Alvin Kline, the social media guru and wed success agency team to head this unique grassroots online crown funding campaign.”
Hayes continues, “I am confident that Alvin Kline along with Team Tia and the additional benefits and memorabilia we are offering the donors at Tiapower.com should allow us the chance to find out.”
As Tia prepares to take the wheel, the world holds on and wonders if the community that she supports will support her. The answer awaits at the finish line. (Story Source)
If you want to help Tia live her dream of hitting the race track, click here to donate.
