DETROIT, Mich. – Ever since Emeline King had published her inspirational memoir – “What Do You Mean A Black Girl Can’t Design Cars? Emeline King, She Did It!” – we’ve been following the impact that this automotive industry pioneer has been making on the Mustang and Ford hobby. From our launch coverage of her popular softcover back in 2021 to her many Mustang club guest-speaking and book-signing appearances across the country as well as in her hometown of Detroit, Ms. King has won accolades and appreciation from a wide spectrum of supporters. As an exclamation point on her remarkable journey, this past summer Emeline became the recipient of a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Gold Medal Award, and Ford Performance was there to witness it.
Ms. King was the First African American Female Transportation Designer in the history of Ford Motor Company, and the designer of the 1994 Ford Mustang Interior and several other Ford production models, including the 2000 Thunderbird, 1990 Thunderbird Super Coupe, 1990 Mustang Mach III Concept Car, 1989 Thunderbird, as well as Ford Design’s Wheel and Corporate Steering Wheel programs. A native Detroiter, Emeline is a proud graduate of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California, Wayne State University in Detroit, and Detroit’s Cass Technical High School. At the age of 11 Emeline was introduced to the exciting world of transportation design by her late father, Rev. Earnest O. King Sr., who was a Fabrication Specialist at the Ford Design Center in Dearborn. His work inspired Emeline to realize her dream of becoming a transportation designer working for Ford, designing cars with her life’s mentor -- her father.
Emeline conquered in 25 years what many take a lifetime to do. Thanks to her quarter-century of experience in the auto industry designing cars both domestically and while serving three foreign service assignments for Ford in Turin, Italy, Essex, England, and Koln, Germany, her insider knowledge makes her a valuable catalyst to coach and connect America’s youth to exciting, cool careers in transportation and technology. Featured in a variety of news, radio, television and online promotions -- including Motor Trend, Road & Track, Smithsonian, Ebony, Ebony Man, Essence, The Washington Post, and FordPerformance.com – Emeline has been a poster child for careers at Ford Motor Company. This designer, motivational speaker, songstress, fitness instructor, saxophonist, author, and owner of King Enterprises LLC, brings to the table a platform of community resources and training skills, to steer America’s youth toward work in the transportation and design sector.
Emeline is a lifetime member of the Mustang Owners Club of SouthEastern Michigan (MOCSEM), as well as a member of Hidden Pioneers, an organization of diverse careers that introduces youth to technology and transportation. She is a featured artist on their Special Signature Series Brazilian Mist 360 Products, a Waterless Technology for the Automotive industry. Her autobiography, “What Do You Mean A Black Girl Can’t Design Cars? Emeline King, She Did It!, details her path to becoming the first African American female Transportation Designer for Ford and is shared via her many book signings and special guest speaking appearances. Emeline now crafts the art of storytelling via “The Society of Twisted Storytellers.” On a nationwide platform, she shares her career with youth and those who inspire and excel to dream. Emeline presented an autographed copy of her book to Mr. Edsel Ford II, and his copy is now a registered part of archives history at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn.
When we got word that Ms. King was to be presented with a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Gold Medal Award during a reception luncheon in Livonia, Michigan, two regional Mustang clubs stepped in to participate. MOCSEM set up a charity fundraiser to help Emeline cover some of the Honorarium costs for her to receive this award through a special “Gale Halderman Watch Raffle” to win a personal wristwatch owned and worn by late Ford designer Gale Halderman, the principal stylist behind the original Mustang. The vintage Longines square 14K Gold watch came right out of Gale’s jewelry box, donated by the Halderman Museum. It came with a signed Certificate of Authenticity from Gale’s daughter, Karen Halderman. What’s more, the president of the West Michigan Mustang Club, Marty Mieras, brought his 1994 SVT Mustang Cobra Indy Pace Car Convertible from his collection on the west side of the state to be on display in the ballroom so that everyone in attendance could see Emeline’s interior design handiwork on the fourth-generation Mustang. In a twist of fate, it was Mieras who held the winning ticket in the Halderman watch raffle!
The award was presented during the 14th Annual Montford Point Marines Annual Military Heritage Banquet that included public and government officials, military organizations, business and community leaders, educators and students. Dr. Kenneth W. Curry from the Office of the President and Bill Montgomery of the Hidden Pioneers presented the award to Emeline, whose tearful acceptance speech was received with rousing applause. We captured some of the excitement at this notable event to share with you in our photo gallery below. Emeline was also recently inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame and is now working on a children’s book version of her autobiography. For those interested in her 366-page softcover book, “What Do You Mean A Black Girl Can’t Design Cars? Emeline King, She Did It!” you can order your copy via her website, https://www.emelineking.com/ It’s an insightful read and would make a great gift for any Mustang or car enthusiast – young or old – or for anyone who’s ever dreamed about designing cars but thought it could ever happen. As Emeline tells the young people she meets during her appearances, “Opportunity Is Here; What Are You Waiting For?
FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / JOHN M. CLOR & COURTESY HIDDEN PIONEERS