Rose Mayes started Riverside's MLK walk-a-thon 31 years ago when she noticed the city had no tributes to the civil rights leader — now hundreds march annually to pass his message to the next generation.
From left: Riverside racing driver Truly Adams with Cars N' Coffee Riverside organizers Johnny Silva and Natalie Trujillo at the Dec. 20 fundraiser at Cable Airport. The event raised $5,000 to support Adams' Formula 4 racing career. (Courtesy of Cars N' Coffee Riverside and 7SunsCollective)
Local college students and car enthusiasts raised $5,000 for Riverside racing driver Truly Adams during a Cars N' Coffee fundraiser at Cable Airport on Dec. 20.
The event drew more than 200 attendees who came to support the 15-year-old Formula 4 competitor through a show featuring 25 cars, local vendors, helicopter tours, awards and family activities.
Riverside racing driver Truly Adams at the Dec. 20 Cars N' Coffee fundraiser at Cable Airport that raised $5,000 to support his Formula 4 racing career. (Courtesy of Cars N' Coffee Riverside and 7SunsCollective)
Johnny Silva, a civil engineering major at Cal Poly Pomona, and Natalie Trujillo, a business marketing student, organized the fundraiser through Cars N' Coffee Riverside and 7SunsCollective. Both are active in the Inland Empire car community and wanted to rally support for a hometown athlete.
"As we learned more about his journey, Natalie and I were fully on board," Silva said. "We both love cars and Formula 1, so supporting Truly felt natural — especially knowing he's from our community."
Adams is a two-time World Karting Champion who made history in fall 2024 as the first American to podium at the FEED Racing F4 Finals in France. He competed against older and more experienced drivers in the series.
His parents, Kara and Troy Adams, own Adams Motorsports Park, the oldest Black-owned karting facility in the United States. The track has served as a training ground for Adams and a hub for youth racing in the community.
"Seeing the community come together like this really means a lot to me and my family," Adams said. "Racing isn't something you do alone, and having people believe in me and support my journey pushes me to keep working harder every day."
GoPro, which sponsors Adams as an official athlete, provided in-kind support including a camera giveaway. Attorney Jeff Fayngor sponsored event operations and logistics, while InlandEmpirePages provided promotional support.
Proceeds will support Adams' Formula 4 racing career, including training, race entry fees, travel and competition preparation.
Rose Mayes started Riverside's MLK walk-a-thon 31 years ago when she noticed the city had no tributes to the civil rights leader — now hundreds march annually to pass his message to the next generation.
High schoolers from across the district transform from strangers to collaborators through months of rehearsals, gaining professional theater experience and life skills that extend far beyond the stage.
