WINSTON-SALEM, NC--- Winston Salem State University's Motorsports Management Program hosted a discussion on diversity and inclusion in motorsports featuring a panel of young professionals who have defied the odds. 

• Winston-Salem State University is the only four year public university in the country that offers a bachelor of science degree program in motorsports management
• The industry employs 25,000 people in North Carolina

Armani Williams is a 19 year old Michigan native studying mechanical engineering at Oakland University. He's also a professional NASCAR race car driver, an interest sparked at a the age of four after watching racing on TV.

"For me it's just something that was always in my heart and it was always my passion," Williams said.

He started in kart racing when he was eight, and is now participating in the NASCAR K&9 Pro Series. He's competed all across the United States and Canad, and there's something else about Armani that stands out.

"When I initially broke into the motorsports of course I was an African American and a driver with Autism, so really when people saw me they were really uncertain of what I was capable of," Williams explained.

Armani showed them exactly what he was capable of, with 18 wins and two championships. He's also a two time Drive for Diversity participant, an effort to attract more diverse groups to motorsports.

On Monday, he was a key note speaker at the diversity in motorsports panel at Winston-Salem State University. 

"I've had to break many challenges along the way in the motorsports industry and you know you gotta continue to work hard and never give up and keep fighting till you reach your ultimate goal," Armani said.

Armanis' goal now is to use his platform to bring awareness to Autism and and promote research based solutions to create a better life for those living on the spectrum.

"If you have a friend or family member that has Autism, if they have a dream of something they want to do in life they can go for it," Armani said.

He's not the only one defying the odds, Dalanda Ouendeno was also on the panel. She born and raised in Paris and moved to the states for a full scholarship to play soccer. She graduated in May from the University of Miami and is now a part of Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program.

"It's really exciting, the cars are coming fast and you have to be fast and you have to be precise and focused and it's a sport and i love sports, I've been doing them my whole life," Ouendeno said.

As a woman of color, she said she's not faced many challenges, just strives to do the best she can.

"It's not a question I ask myself at any point. Honestly, my focus is to be the best I can be and see what's going to happen after," Ouendeno explained.

Winston-Salem State University is the only four year public university in the country that offers a bachelor of science degree program in motorsports management. The industry employs 25,000 people in North Carolina.