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WheelsOfGrace.com | Volume 12 Issue 1 | 27 HANDLEBAR NEWS PARIS MCGOWAN MAKES HISTORY AS HARLEY-DAVIDSON'S FIRST BLACK FEMALE TECHNICIAN B Y S H A N I Q U E YAT E S Paris McGowan became Harley- Davidson's first Black female technician. "When you think America and you think motorcycles, you think Harley-Davidson," said McGowan. "I'm ny, so when people see me on my bike, they're like 'Oh my gosh, that's a girl.'" According to KSDK, the 25-year old revealed that she learned to ride motorcycles just two years a er ge ng a job at the Gateway Harley-Davidson store in south St. Louis County. "I came up to Harley-Davidson for a job interview because I was always kind of hanging around," she said. "I saw the bike that I wanted before I did the job interview. I ended up purchasing the bike." Just last month McGowan graduated from the Motorcycle Mechanics Ins tute in Orlando with a specializa on in Harley- Davidson. Although the program is only supposed to take 10 months, due to the impact of COVID-19, she spent a year in school. She says her gradua on was extra special once she realized she'd made history. "I'm the first African-American female technician to work on Harley- Davidson," McGowan shares. "You barely see any Black technicians working on Harley-Davidson, but here we are." McGowan says that the Harley-Davidson community is more like a family that embraces her with open arms. She also says there are more female riders, including Black women, than most people realize. "There are a lot of Black female Harley riders or just Black female riders in general," said McGowan. "We need to be shown more. My mother, who is a strong, proud Black woman, rides her own motorcycle. I have aunts and cousins who all ride together. I mean, we just did a female unity ride for Labor Day. I believe there were at least 300 or more female riders out there, and it was incredible." While McGowan understands that she isn't exactly who people imagine when they picture motorcycle technicians and riders, she says clashing with stereotypes and breaking boundaries is empowering. "It's 2020," she said. "It's me to move on. We shouldn't have these barriers anymore. If you can do it, I can do it. Also, maybe even be er. I just found a passion, and I stuck with it. I can only just start the snowball." ANNUAL JERSEY SHORE MOTORCYCLE RIDE SUPPORTS TOYS FOR TOTS CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. (WPVI) — Dozens of motorcyclists posed for photos with a Barbie Doll, unicorn blanket, and toy trucks among other trinkets. "We're a tough bunch, but we have a so side," said Roland Roy, the president of Cape Classics Motorcycle Club. For 25 years, they've organized "Toy Runs" to support the Cape May County branch of Toys for Tots, a founda on created with the U.S. Marine Corps. "Things are a li le tough this year with the corona virus being in effect," said the county's Toys for Tots coordinator, Kevin Mallon. "We have had to cancel a lot of our fundraising opera ons." Luckily, the weather held out for a beau ful motorcycle ride to New Jersey's most southern point. In 2019, Mallon's branch helped over 1,000 families and 2,200 children celebrate Christmas with special gi s. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Mallon says Toys for Tots is prepared for a successful 2020. "Fortunately, we are one year ahead of the game," he said. "As far as financial dona ons, we need to look forward to next year." Mallon also expressed concern for surrounding coun es which lack Toys for Tots branches. "If someone out there could step up, it takes a li le bit of work, but if you can do it, it's a great, great feeling," he said. Mallon, also a U.S. Marine veteran and member of Cape Classics, joined the ride towards Sunset Beach Sportsman's Club. The club's owner, Eddie Clavan, is thankful to s ll be in business. "We were shut down for 90 days," he said. "We have a faithful membership at our club and it's working out well." To learn more about the Cape Classics Motorcycle Club or Toys for Tots, visit their websites. SLEEPING HOMELESS MAN ON BENCH REPORTED TO OHIO COPS I T WA S A S C U L P T U R E O F J E S U S B Y A L E X M A R T I N A homeless man sleeping on a park bench reported to Ohio police was actually a sculpture of Jesus to raise awareness about homelessness. Within minutes of the statue's installation this week, a police officer went to St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Bay Village, a community west of Cleveland, to investigate, the Rev. Alex Martin tweeted. "Within twenty minutes of the statue arriving, I was having a conversa on with a very kind police officer because someone called to report a homeless man sleeping on a park bench. Within twenty minutes..." Mar n tweeted. The church installed the "Homeless Jesus" statue because "though homelessness is a not a significant problem in our immediate neighborhood, we don't have to drive far to find those in tremendous need." According to the church, this is a common problem in communi es that have displayed the traveling statue. "The caller surely contacted the police out of genuine concern and the responding officer was excellent: he was extremely professional and eager to learn more about the sculpture and its intended message," the church said. "The response to the statue speaks to its power," the church said. "Responses to Homeless Jesus will vary and we should avoid shaming anyone for their reac on. One of the goals of the sculpture is being less quick to judge, a er all," the church said. In a statement to Cleveland Scene, Bay Village Police Chief Kathy Leasure confirmed a police officer responded to the statue a few days after the call. If it had turned out to be a homeless man, Leasure said an officer would determine whether the person needed medical help or shelter, the news outlet reported.