CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Draped in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s signature crimson and cream colors, adorned with strands of pearls and the founding year "1913" across its doors, NASCAR's first-ever Delta Sigma Theta-themed show car turned heads at the sorority's 2026 South Atlantic Regional Conference in Charlotte.
The custom vehicle marked the first activation of its kind between NASCAR and a Divine Nine organization. Designed by Camilla Wilkins-Bowens, a NASCAR NEXT intern and Louisiana State University student who is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta, the show car celebrated the sorority's rich history while introducing thousands of conference attendees to the world of motorsports.
According to Watch The Yard, the initiative was made possible through the NASCAR NEXT Internship Program, which provides students with opportunities to work on high-profile projects and community engagement initiatives across the country. The debut also reflects NASCAR's continued efforts to connect with new audiences through partnerships that extend beyond the racetrack while highlighting the contributions of emerging young professionals within the sport.
Throughout the conference, attendees gathered around the custom stock car, posed for photos and tested their driving skills on NASCAR racing simulators. The activation marked the first time NASCAR brought an interactive motorsports experience to a Divine Nine event, exposing thousands of Delta Sigma Theta members to the sport in a new way.
The vehicle itself paid tribute to the sorority's history and traditions. Along with prominently featuring the founding year "1913," the design incorporated pearl accents around the body of the car, the South Atlantic Regional Conference emblem on the rear quarter panel and the phrase, "Deltas REIGN in the Queen City," across the rear deck in recognition of both the conference and its Charlotte host city.
Additional design elements honored the conference's leadership, with the names of Regional Director Dr. Demetria M. Lucas and Regional Representative Mission R. Mosley displayed on the side of the vehicle alongside the sorority's Greek letters, ΔΣΘ. While customized to celebrate Delta Sigma Theta, the car retained the unmistakable look of a NASCAR stock car, complete with Goodyear racing tires, aerodynamic styling and a race-ready spoiler.
For Wilkins-Bowens, the project represented an opportunity to bridge two worlds. As both a NASCAR intern and a Delta Sigma Theta soror, she was uniquely positioned to create a design that honored the organization's legacy while showcasing the possibilities available to students pursuing careers in motorsports.
Founded Jan. 13, 1913, on the campus of Howard University by 22 collegiate women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has grown into the largest sorority within the National Pan-Hellenic Council, commonly known as the Divine Nine. Today, the organization has more than 350,000 initiated members and more than 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters throughout the United States and internationally, with chapters spanning Canada, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, West Africa, Southern Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea.
The Charlotte debut represented more than the unveiling of a custom race car. It highlighted the intersection of Black Greek excellence, student leadership and one of the nation's most recognizable sports organizations. By placing a Delta Sigma Theta-themed show car at the center of one of the sorority's largest regional gatherings, NASCAR celebrated the organization's legacy while continuing its efforts to broaden the sport's reach through meaningful community partnerships.
