Cars as People Movers Barron’s

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It’s easy to get into a Ferrari showroom, but believing you belong there is a different matter altogether.

Chanterria McGilbra - eventually - found her way to Ferrari’s gates, and her ownership became the gateway to a new career that empowered young African-American women to dream big dreams.

Her jumping pony foundation subsidizes student participation in leadership academies, conferences and workshops (with income scholarships to make up for lost wages) and organizes an annual women’s car show and the world’s first women’s Ferrari rally.

Such a wide-angle life was not on her radar early. McGilbra grew up in the Bay Area, the youngest (with her twin sister) in an eight-member family. Her father did three jobs. There was no money for luxury, but there was a strong work ethic. When McGilbra wanted a pair of Converse shoes at the age of 12, she had to accept babysitting jobs to pay for them. She also received strong mentorship while attending high school at the San Francisco School of the Arts - and the idea of ​​a college came to life.

In the state of California, East Bay, her sociology studies involved an accidental deep immersion in IT, which led to a number of jobs at higher levels, culminating in her current position as operations leader at Janssen Pharmaceutical Cos. of Johnson & Johnson.

“I didn’t know any black women in the amazing car growing up,” says McGilbra. “But I believe in signs, and in 2015 a clear message came to my mind - look at Ferrari … I came out of the showroom with a Coke, my 458 of 562 horsepower.” (The car is so named because it’s all inside of chocolate antelope, ”says McGilbra.)

The 458 Italia was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009, succeeding the F430, and 2015 was its last year. Its 4.5-liter V8 engine features direct fuel injection, with a seven-speed Getrag automatic with dual clutch. It reaches 62 miles per hour in 3.4 seconds.

The general manager of the Ferrari dealer in San Francisco told her that she was the first African-American woman in Northern California to own a Ferrari. She even went to Italy to see how a car is made - titanium paint, brown interior, yellow brake calipers.

“Initially, other Ferrari owners seemed confused,” says McGilbra. “Who was this unmarried black woman wandering around?” In the end, they realized that I was just as passionate about cars as they were - I wasn’t looking for a husband. My goal is to have as much fun in this car as possible. ”

Shortly after buying the 458, McGilbra stopped near a bus stop near San Galileo High School in San Francisco when a trio of young girls - African American, Hispanic and Asian - told her how much they loved her car. “I expect you to get one too,” she told them.

Then the idea for jumping ponies was born. The non-profit organization was launched in 2016 and has since received praise from Oprah Winfrey, Microsoft and others.

“We provide all the skills that these young women would have to learn over the years in their first jobs,” says McGilbra. “That includes writing a resume, project planning, media skills, how to interview and be interviewed, how to present yourself, how to brand yourself. It’s amazing to watch them bloom. ”

McGilbra said that some of the young women in the program work in the service industry or work by the hour, and that attending workshops or seminars would be financially impossible for them without Pony Pony. The program will help 20 girls and women this year, and as many as 100 next year.

Car Week in Monterey in August is a kaleidoscope of events, but one of the most impressive is the Ponia Women’s Car Fair, with a series of Ferraris and Porsches in the center of Carmel-by-the-Sea. “Nice fish and nice cars,” McGilbra laughs.

Its 458 now has 26,000 miles, which is a lot considering that many Ferraris are the queens of garages. “I go to every rally and race day,” she says. “All the mileage was covered during special events - Koko and I had a great time.”

This article appeared in the June issue Penta magazine.