Crystal Windham: The Highest Ranking Black Female Car Designer On The Globe Talks 'Auto Trends' And More

Crystal Windham is the highest ranking black female in automotive design on the globe. In fact, as Cadillac’s interior design director, she has blazed a trail where no woman, who looks like her, has gone. While only a handful of Black men have cracked this ceiling, being in the upper echelon of car designers, as a Black woman, this creative force is the lone ranger.

2017 Detroit Auto Show Debuts: Genesis, Lincoln And Kia

Erwin Raphael, the general manager for the new Genesis luxury line, is taking a gentleman pose in front of the 2018 G80 Sport, with its matted Bentley-like grille.

Earl Lucas is back, after making noise with reviving the current generation Taurus a few years ago. Lucas, a chief exterior designer for Lincoln, poses in front of his latest project, the 2018 Navigator Concept.  Unlike the show model, the production version will not offer gullwing doors.

Brian Peterson, a global interior designer for the Kia, has his first big project with the 2017 Niro. Kia's first, all-dedicated hybrid interior has Peterson's handprints all over the vehicle.

Airing This Month: GM’s First Black Car Designer Who Generated Billions Of Dollars For The Auto Giant Talks “Auto Trends with JeffCars.com” For One Year Anniversary Show

Welburn with one of his prized bankruptcy vehicles, the Corvette.

Ed Welburn is to General Motors what Johnny Ives is to Apple. That is Apple Computers. Johnny Ives, like Ed Welburn, is the creative force behind his company, designing products that keep customers coming back. Welburn, who retired on July 1, after breaking ever glass ceiling in his successful 44-year career, recently served as the global chief design leader at one of the world's largest automakers. 

Welburn was the first person at General Motors to rise to this position, making him the most influential black person in the auto industry.

Welburn, who was also the first black car designer to be hired by General Motors and the second to be working in the industry, has literally been responsible for generating billions of dollars for the automaker due to his creative designs, vision and quiet, but highly effective leadership style.

Two of the highest ranking Black Americans in their field, Ed Welburn, (l) and President Obama, (r) are touring the Washington Auto Show.

Martin Davis: The Black History Maker Behind GM's Snazzy Headlights (Part Two)

Car Designer Martin Davis holding up some taillights. (Photo Credit: GM)

Martin Davis, General Motors' first person to ever serve in the role as the lighting exterior design manager, is changing the way we view the exterior lights on today's vehicles. As we learned in part one of our interview, this young black history maker was instilled with enough confidence at an early age, knowing that he could be one of a handful of black car designers in the world, even when the odds, just based on sheer numbers, were stacked against him. Because of Davis, we're all taking a second look, when looking at GM cars and other makes, as it relates to the exterior lights to see if they sizzle just like the one's in the 2015 Cadillac Escalade. So, with that being the case, here's part two of our extensive interview with the creative genius.

The headlights for the 2015 Buick Enclave were designed by Martin's team.

Rewound: Car Designer 2012 Historic Trip To Selma, Alabama With The Editor

Hyundai's Car Designer Andre Hudson and editor Jeff Fortson receiving a first-hand account from individuals who were students at the time of the historic walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.

Hudson is captivated at 'The Rock', the prayer spot for the activists before the brutal 'Bloody Sunday' march.

The Edmund Pettus Bridge served as Ground Zero for the Voting Rights Act.

Black History Moment: Ralph Gilles, The Highest Ranking Designer At The Chrysler Group

Ralph Gilles at the Chicago Auto Show with the editor, Jeff Fortson

Title: President and CEO of SRT Brand and Senior Vice President of Design

Age: 44

School: College for Creative Studies in Detroit

Career Highlight: When Chrysler was bleeding red, with a $637 million loss in 2003, Gilles' design influence helped put the company back in the black. The company posted a $1.9 billion profit in 2004. 

Car Career Highlights: Gilles was responsible for putting swag in big cars again with vehicles like the Chrysler 300, the Dodge Charger and the Dodge Magnum. 

Car Designer Ralph Gilles Talks Race, Inspiration And Legacy (Part Two) --- Rewind Interview

Designer Ralph Gilles and Actor Terrence Howard

Here's part two of our interview with the current vice president of design for the Chrysler Group, Ralph Gilles, as he talks about race, inspiration and legacy. This interview was conducted with him in 2006, shortly after the gangster-like Chrysler 300 hit the scene. To view part-one of our interview click here.

J. What are you current vehicle projects? Are there any projects forthcoming with your sister division, Mercedes?

RG: I was recently promoted to vice president of the Jeep, truck and components studio, meaning I work with the design teams that create those vehicles, as well as the components (radios, vents, AC) that are in those and others. I can’t discuss future projects in any of those areas for competitive reasons, but I can say it’s very exciting to work in areas that have been so critical historically with our company’s success. Jeep is an icon; the Ram trucks, Durangos and Nitros are part of a change in how trucks are used and perceived. It’s a very exciting time. As to Mercedes, we throw ideals between brands back and forth, but we are very aware that brands must stay separated and pure. My primary work is always the Chrysler Group – Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler products.

J: Is there anything in particular that helps to influence you when you’re in the design studio: culture, music, video games, politics or sports?

RG: To a designer, you are a sponge of influence. You absorb everything from buildings to furniture to fashion to products. I’m a huge reader of all types of magazines, and you look at the ads, the products and use that – whether you do it knowing you are doing it or not!  -- to apply it to your work. We are constantly learning and constantly improving.

J: Like Tiger Woods has done for golf, you have exposed minorities to another field in the automotive industry.  With that said, what would you suggest to minorities that are interested in designing vehicles for a major automaker?

Ed Welburn: An Automotive Barrier Breaker Living His Dream (Video Interview)

Ed Welburn is outside of GM's Design Studio with the Cadilliac Ciel, a show car.

While most kids can only visualize what they see, as it relates to selecting an occupation, Ed Welburn, GM’s Chief Car Designer, like President Obama was destined to become a trailblazer. Both barrier breakers grew up in a time period where people of color were not expected to venture into non traditional fields or for that matter, to be at the top of their game in their respective fields.

Like with President Obama, once today’s generation become aware of Welburn’s accomplishments and contributions, it’s only a matter time before they become inspired to dream big … beyond becoming the flavor of the day in the world of Reality Tv or athletics.

Crystal Windham: The Highest Ranking Black Women In Auto Designs

With this being Women's History Month, here's one name you definitely want to remember, Crystal Windham. Windham is Chevy's interior design director who is responsible for the brand's stunning new interiors. Windham is the highest ranking African American female in the field of auto designs.

To check out our one-on-one exclusive interview with her from last year, click here.