According to a report from WNDU, a first-of-its-kind panel discussion was held in Elkhart, Indiana, the “RV Capital of the World,” on Friday morning.
It featured leaders in the RV industry, but also city and county leaders as well.
Rodney Thompson, president of the National African-American RVers Association (NAARVA), was invited to Elkhart during a busy week for the city as a way to better enhance the diversity within the industry while also inspiring the next generation.
NAARVA was one of several groups who took part in an important discussion about the industry and its link to those who live in it. Some students from the Tolson Center also took part.
This was all organized by Elkhart Councilwoman LaTonya King, who wanted to help students understand the critical importance the industry has on the local economy, but also how they can benefit directly.
I had the honor of leading the conversation and caught up with some of the panelists.
“LaTonya King worked with our PR person, and she was persistent that we show up because of our organization and attend the jazz festival,” Thompson said. “I am so glad that I was able to come because I see Elkhart in a totally different light.”
“We actually just learned of NAARVA this week, and we love the cause and the mission,” said Ryan Brady, co-founder of Alliance RV. “As we look at the industry, it’s evolving as well. It’s becoming more diverse. We’re seeing larger populations of African Americans, of Hispanics, of younger folks getting into the lifestyle. So, it’s an area that we want to make sure we’re out in front of and make sure that we’re communicating with.”
“Everything has a process. So, even with the kids here being from Tolson to the city leaders to the guests, the mayor and the RV industry, that’s how it starts from as a child. There’s a foundation to everything,” King explained. “But a lot of kids don’t have the resources or access to even know how to develop dreams. And just from me living in Elkhart and seeing RVs, it’s part of the visionary plan. So, I wanted to bring that to the kids and to the communities and to outside of the community, especially what we have within our community.”
Click here to read the full report by Joshua Short at WNDU.
