Levy (center) and NASCAR Chief Human Resources Officer John Ferguson (center middle, NASCAR shirt) celebrate with Jack and Jill moms and dads at NASCAR inaugural Chicago Street Race over the Fourth of July weekend in 2023.
Nichelle Levy
Nichelle Levy’s professional and philanthropic journeys resonate with many career-focused individuals who also want to make a difference in the lives of others – all while navigating the demands of parenthood. Yet, the way these two major areas of her life have intersected becomes an example of an individual using her unique circumstances to make a positive impact on both organizations in which she belongs. A longtime legal executive at NASCAR who serves as Senior Assistant General Counsel of Digital and Privacy Data for NASCAR Media Ventures, Levy also concurrently serves as National Corresponding Secretary of for Jack and Jill of America, Inc., an organization of mothers with more than 70,000 family members dedicated to raising the next generation of African American leaders, promoting child leadership development, and advocating for children and families’ rights.
Levy began her work with Jack and Jill in 2007, first as an interest and provisional group member, and then in 2010 as a charter member of the South Charlotte Chapter where she also served as the Governance Chair. In 2014, she was elected the chapter’s third president and inherited the largest chapter in the Mid-Atlantic region. It was during this portion of her service where she broke ground in integrating the passion of her professional world at NASCAR with her ardor for exposing the families and children she worked with at Jack and Jill to new opportunities and experiences.
“Introducing the world of NASCAR to an organization like Jack and Jill seemed like a natural fit to me,”said Levy.“What people may not realize is, the opportunities in our sport are endless, regardless of your skin color or your background. NASCAR continues to make huge strides in making our great sport look more like America, and I’m humbled to be able to play a small role in bringing these organizations – that are such a big part of my life – together for continued learning and growth.”
During her first year as the South Charlotte chapter president in 2014, Levy brought aboard NASCAR as a presenting sponsor of the Teen Leadership Summit at that year’s national convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Then, in 2015, Jack and Jill was honored as the recipient of the NASCAR Diversity Institution Award, which is awarded to a community, civic or educational institution that exposes minorities to motorsports and encourages pursuit of opportunities within the industry. NASCAR would go on to once again serve as a presenting sponsor of the Mid-Atlantic Region’s Teen Leadership Conference in 2017, the South Charlotte Chapter of Jack and Jill New Year’s Eve Gala in 2019, as well as the presenting sponsor of the Closing Gala at the 2022 National Convention in Orlando, FL.
Beyond sponsorship, however, the relationship between NASCAR and Jack and Jill has only grown stronger in subsequent years, and more engagement and learning opportunities have been fostered along the way. These efforts have been supported by numerous executives within NASCAR, among them is John Ferguson, Chief Human Resources Officer, whose wife Dr.Yuvay Ferguson is a member of the Orlando, Florida Chapter and where he also serves as the Chapter Father’s Auxiliary Chair.
With Ferguson’s assistance, in January of this year, 27 kids and their parents from the Orlando Chapter of Jack and Jill were welcomed to the Daytona International Speedway for a once in a lifetime experience. The group of first – third graders and their families were able to experience the Roar Before the Rolex 24, an introduction to the world of motorsports that allowed them to see themselves in the history and future of racing.
Then, just last month in Charlotte, North Carolina, a group of 170 dads from around the country were welcomed to NASCAR country for the Father’s Auxiliary Weekend Getaway. During the experience, Jack and Jill dads attended the NASCAR races throughout the entire weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, including the Coca-Cola 600 from a suite, as well as met notable NASCAR figures such as Max and Jennifer Siegel, owners of Rev Racing – the competition arm for NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program; NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series driver Rajah Caruth and his father Roger; and Phil Horton, Rev Racing’s Director of Athletic Performance.
Earlier this year, Daytona International Speedway welcomed the Orlando Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. families for a once in a lifetime experience. The group started their day at the Motorsports Hall of Fame, received a motorcade escort to the infield to see the timed events and got to experience the cars and drivers and the amazing world of motorsports up close and personal.
“By fostering connections between communities within the NASCAR ecosystem and beyond, we have a unique chance to nurture a culture of understanding and unity that transcends the racetrack,”said Levy.“It’s about opening doors and finding those opportunities where fans and drivers from all backgrounds can come together.”
