Chris Miles

Chris Miles, a native of New Albany, Indiana, founded Starting Grid, Inc. in 1994, after pursuing a professional race car driving career of his own, to help facilitate equal opportunities for minority participation within all facets of the motorsports industry.

Chris is the Diversity and Inclusion Strategist and Global Motorsport Marketing Adviser for the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network (ARDN), an advocacy and marketing partner of the United Nations.

Chris’ business partner, famed Hollywood actor Richard Gant, serves as ARDN’s Art, Sport and Culture committee Chair. Collectively they have lead activations, in partnership with FIFA and UN Women, to promote the UNAIDS “Protect The Goal” campaign, as well as the ARDN Red Card campaign to abolish violence and discrimination against women and girls.

Presently Starting Grid, Inc. is spearheading an initiative to utilize esports and electrified motorsports as a “conduit of engagement” to inspire persons of African descent to become involved within all aspects of the esports and motorsports industry.

Career Highlights:

Founder “Millennium Motorsports Initiative - changing the face of motorsports in the 21st century” Global Motorsport Marketing Advisor and Diversity & Inclusion Strategist for the United Nations

New Business Development/Motorsports Strategist: Hank Aaron, Jamie Foxx, Rev. Jesse Jackson/ Rainbow Push, Michael Jordan, Willy T. Ribbs, Walt Disney World Sports

Spearheaded American HONDA’s Diversity Motorsport Initiative (2011 - 2014); Wyatt Gooden first African American driver to win races for the program. Chase Austin (Kansas), Axcil Jefferies (Zimbabwe) and Auston Harris (California) all competitively represented the program.

Piloted STEM motorsports initiative with Gary (IN) Community School Corporation and 2011 Indy 500 winning team Bryan Herta Autosport

Telly Award winning producer for SPEED Channel’s Black History Month vignettes

1st African American to host nationally televised racing magazine show — Inside CART (FOX Sports - 1998 / ESPN - 2000)

Screen Actors Guild member since 1994

PERSONAL QUOTE:

“Remain diligent in your pursuit, but faithful to you purpose.”