Many have asked where I came up with the design for Orange Julius (OJ) and it's been a while since I thought of the origin of the design so bare with me while I tell the tale.
Back in 2021, I knew that I wanted to either wrap or paint OJ and so the design ideas of a soon-to-be competitive race car began to surface. I couldn't change the color because people knew me by my car's name. It was beginning to ring bells locally among car groups. I realized that because of my uniqueness and very reserved personality, I needed to make a statement that will help me stand out even more. One that people would remember and recognize that it's a direct representation of me without having met me yet. Thus, I honed in on what makes me stand out the most in the race car world - being a black woman. To many, it's off-putting to associate so many things with race. However, to me, it's a mere glimpse into the reality of my world. When I step foot on dragstrips and car groups, I don't see many women, let alone black women. It's not to say that I'm treated differently or looked at inferiorly because of my race, but it's an observance that I can't overlook. Hence why I needed a bold statement so that other women who may have an interest in car racing will have the courage to step out and try it. Racing can be intimidating and it's not the safest sport either. Because there are so few women in the game, it's looked at as a man's sport. You'll hear me say often that racing is "not a poor man's sport." We don't have to be gender specific in that statement either, but it's no secret that men dominate in many areas within our society.
This leads into my second point. I may not be looked at inferiorly because I'm black, but I am looked at inferiorly because I'm a woman. How many times have you heard "you run like a girl," "you're acting like a girl," "you play like a girl," or doing/saying anything that's stereotypical of "a girl"? It's often used as an insult - never a compliment. Thus, as I stated earlier, I wanted OJ to be an extension of my personality. Not only do I stand out in an arena that's dominated by white men because I am a black woman, I also stand out by doing it alone. I don't have a team or help so everything I do is like a girl.
The collage of women within the text, Like A Girl, consists of only a small amount of successful black women who are/were talented, creative, and paved the way for future generations to prosper in that field. From singers, actors, executives, entrepreneurs to astronauts, mechanics, and professional NASCAR driver, I tried to portray them all. Trying to grasp this vast range in success is just to showcase that it's more than just driving, racing, and winning. It captures how we can do anything like a girl and flourish. It's definitely a motivating piece for me because I've watched myself not only come up with an idea, but I saw it come to life like I envisioned it. Let this be a motivating factor for you! If you envision it, pursue it - especially if you do it like a girl!
