Think about the biggest, baddest, most sexiest car show ever…This is it! I love the SEMA show. SEMA stands for special equipment market association. It’s the aftermarket world for cars and the show is held in Las Vegas annually. When I first heard about the SEMA show it was like a dream that came true but only on Youtube because there was no way for me to get into this industry trade show, or was there…
My first obsession with social media was the Hoonigans. A bunch of car guys that started a business under the legendary late Ken Block. It was a bunch of guys modding cars and doing all the things my friends and I would have been doing if I had not broken my back. I loved the Hoonigans for a few reasons. They were a bunch of people who followed their passion and started making money from it.
Secondly, there was Rob Parsons, a wheelchair user who had built a drift car and let me know that getting back behind the wheel was possible. Also, probably the biggest reason was Hert. I will always say representation is huge and Hert is huge! Literally speaking and physically. Hert was a beacon for me because I didn’t see anyone else who looked like me doing the things that he did. He let me know that although we as black people are scattered through the industry, there is a huge love of cars and a network of people who look like you.
When I first started attending the SEMA show in 2016 or whatever year it was, I saw maybe 2-3 black people. Not to say that there wasn’t more but I just didn’t see them. Over the past 2 shows I have noticed the change in demographics at the show and surrounding it. There are many more people of colour and women present. It brings joy to my heart. At the end of the day we are all here to prosper and love one another. If we can do this with cars the world will be the best place ever. One thing I really love about cars besides going fast is that shared passion or interest with someone else. It is amazing when you can both just look at each other, not say a word and understand exactly what the other is thinking. Those moments around cars are the best because it is usually innovation, cleanliness or craziness that gets us gearheads going.
I go to SEMA to network and meet more people such as myself with an insane passion for cars and the automotive culture. All of the top brands and names in the industry are there and they spare no expense. Some of these vehicles can easily pay for a house, like free and clear of your mortgage! It still amazes me to this day how much money can be spent on a vehicle. AND SOME OF THEM DON’T EVEN WORK!
I have always wanted to build my own car because it has always appealed to me. Doing things the way I want with the colors I like and all the bits to make me go fast or hug a corner. I hate pulling up to a stop light and seeing 2 of the same cars speed right beside each other. In a world where you can customize anything, why would you want to have a look-a-like? I went down this route of building a car and boy do I regret it, but that is a whole other post.
I have met people at SEMA before and networked and had a good time but this year was slightly different. I was there and was getting recognized. It was most definitely the Batec attachment at the front of my wheelchair that made me stand out. People said hello and we reconnected from the previous years when we had met. What was really different about this year was the ability to chill and hang out around the African American Automotive Association booth.
Chris Harris started the AAAA because he didn’t see anyone like us doing the damn thing. What I mean by that is that he is leading the charge and bringing us together, creating opportunities, networks and sponsorships for young and experienced drivers, wrenchers and even engineers. Chris has kicked the door wide open and said we are here, we are here to stay and we have tons to contribute. You will be hearing a lot more about the AAAA in the future!
This year at SEMA I attended my first education session and it was about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within the automotive industry. It was a great panel and I will add the link below if you are inclined to watch it. Beyond that I got INTERVIEWED!!!!! ME! ANTHONY LUE HAD AN INTERVIEW ON THE SEMA SHOW ROOM FLOOR, IN THE MAIN HALL! #dreamsarereal #dreamscometrue I had reached out to Chris the week before to see if we could connect at SEMA and he was very happy to hear from me. He told me he wanted an interview and sure as heck he followed through. When I get that link you will all know because it will be everywhere! I had an amazing time at the show this year even though I didn’t get to see everyone I wanted to.
Without getting into too much detail here, I have a racecar and have received some assistance from some major companies in the industry over the past couple of years to help build the car of my dreams. It’s been a really sad process so far but it is almost done, again and when it is…”Boy O boy!” It’s actually still in Tucson, Arizona and I am home in Toronto.
That is enough for now and if you have made it this far.
Thank you and hope you enjoy some of my favourite pictures from SEMA. Be sure to check out the link to the folder if you want to see them all. https://anthonylue8.myportfolio.com/sema2024