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Quick Look

Nearly 30 Years of Building

Detroit's youth deserve a direct path into the industry that defines this city.
NMA has been building that path since 1996.

OUR MISSION

Growing the sport, opening doors, and building the next generation of motorsports leaders.

In 1996, professional engineers, mechanics, and motorsports enthusiasts came together around a shared belief: that Detroit's youth deserved access to the industry being built in their own backyard. They created an educational program to train, prepare, and inspire young people to pursue careers in automotive and motorsports. That program became the NMA. The mission hasn't changed.

Where we show up

The NMA has taken the mission directly to Detroit's students. Through workshops with PDMC Motorsports at Oakland University, partnerships with Breithaupt Career and Technical Center, the Teen Safe Driving Summit, and presentations at public and private schools across Metro Detroit, we meet young people where they are and show them what's possible.

WHO WE ARE

The people behind the mission

The NMA was built by people who believed Detroit's youth deserved more. Nearly 30 years later, that same belief drives everyone at the table.

Carmen Carter

Founder

Making it happen for the youth around the world. 

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Making it happen for the youth around the world. 

Frank D Woods Jr.

Vice President

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Carmen Carter

FOUNDER, NATIONAL MOTORSPORTS aSSOCIATION

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Frank Woods

PRESIDENT, NATIONAL MOTORSPORTS ASSOCIATION

CEO/FOUNDER, POSITIVE LIFE ALTERNATIVES NEW BEGINNINGS LLC

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Tonie Bell

ADVISOR TO THE BOARD, nma

OWNER, RVT TECHNOLOGY

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Commissioner Ywanda Buckles-Ndiaye

NMA Board Vice President, Corporate Relations, Sponsorship and Membership

Owner, MMM Global, LLC

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Steve Carter

treasurer, charter member, NMA

Charles A. Clement

Education/ Compliance, NMA

Ashley Jean Davis 

Health & Wellness, NMA 

Brian Rogers 

Technology & IT Integration, NMA 

Danita Shelton 

Communication & Media, NMA 

Kamal Whitmore 

Business Development, NMA 
 

Nic Cohn 

Education Instruction, NMA

The NMA's impact doesn't stop at the classroom door. The organization has earned Car Group Display Recognition Awards at the Detroit AutoRama, established a nationally recognized Motorsports Hall of Fame, and built a media presence that stretches from the Michigan Chronicle and The Detroit News to national industry publications like SEMA and Drag Racing Monthly. The work speaks for itself.

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