This February, we reflect on Black innovators, leaders, and visionaries’ incredible contributions to our society and the automotive industry. Did you know that C.R. Patterson & Sons was the first Black-owned automobile company, founded in 1915 by C.R. Patterson in Greenfield, Ohio? It remains the only known Black-owned car manufacturing company in U.S. history. Similarly, Homer B. Roberts made history as the first Black car dealer in the 1920s, establishing Roberts Motors in Kansas City to serve Black customers overlooked by other dealerships.
At the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP), we honor this legacy by working to ensure that every underserved community has access to clean transportation solutions that support a sustainable future. We can build on the past to create equitable opportunities and a greener tomorrow.