NASCAR: Protest over "diversity and inclusion practices" planned for Sunday

Minority Youth Matters Movement is set to protest NASCAR and its sponsors on Sunday at 30 locations around the country, including the White House. The youth organization says it aims to demonstrate its "commitment to influence change in the diversity and inclusion practices at one of the nation's most renowned sports brands."

MYMM claims it will mark "the first time in the history of NASCAR an organization has challenged their diversity record by making a public demand for business protocols to be established that would lead to greater diversity and the inclusion of all minorities throughout the motor sports industry."

The group contends that 50% of NASCAR sponsors' revenues are generated from minority purchases, yet "for more than 50 years, its diversity and inclusion record has not shown comparable representation within the sport or their business infrastructure," MYMM says. "The goal of this protest is to bring awareness of this unfairness to the public and to their corporate sponsors."

MYMM is asking corporate sponsors to collaborate with NASCAR to ensure the distribution of their sponsorship dollars falls into greater alignment with their respective diversity mission objectives. If corporate sponsors & NASCAR worked hand-in-hand to support programs that helped engage minority youth in motorsports, S.T.E.M. and other educational programs, it would create a pipeline of talented automotive and motorsport professionals, and as an added benefit, provide greater economic self-sufficiency in the minority community as a whole.

The group's website states it "will not stop until NASCAR engages our minority youth and the communities where they reside." They are hopeful constructive dialogue can begin soon to address their concerns and bring resolve to these issues, however, they are prepared to hold four additional protests between now and the first of the year.

On Oct. 18, a protest will begin in front of the World of Coke facility and end at CNN's corporate headquarters in Atlanta. The specific sponsors and products to be boycotted include: Sprint, Xfinity, Camping World, M&M's, Snickers, Skittles, Dollar General, Menards, Reese's, Lowe's, McDonald's and Home Depot. The remaining three protests planned will be in Mami, Fla. on Nov. 22nd - the last race of the year; Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec. 1-2 at the NASCAR Awards Ceremony (in front of the WYNN Hotel), all leading up to a "massive unprecedented protest consisting of leaders and youth" at the Daytona 500 next February.

MYMM says "it's time for NASCAR and its corporate sponsors to hearken to the momentum building from their united voices advocating for change."

"There is still opportunity for this 'movement' to evolve into a celebration of collaboration, and ultimately, NASCAR and sponsors reaping the rewards true diversity and inclusion affords: an expanded fan base, increased profits and a win-win for all!" said Terrance Cox, III, organization founder and CEO of Diversity Motorsports. "All of the change agents are in place...walking in purpose ... for such a time as this."

Source: Minority Youth Matters Movement