The SheCANic Garage Comes to Life at Auto Tech 2025

Jun 30

This June, Girls Auto Clinic made a bold statement at AutoTech 2025: Detroit with the launch of the SheCANic Garage Live Experience, a fully immersive, hands-on garage activation built for her.

Created in partnership with Foxxtecca and African American Automotive Association (AAAA), this wasn’t just a booth. It was an experience.

Patrice Banks standing in front of a red Craftsman toolbox at Auto Tech 2025, part of the SheCANic Garage Live Experience showcasing tools, empowerment, and hands-on learning for women in automotive.

Patrice Banks and fellow panelists stand on stage after speaking at the PowHER Collective session at Auto Tech 2025, celebrating women driving progress in the automotive industry.

A Real Garage, Inside a Convention Center

From a Craftsman toolbox to a live demo vehicle ready for teaching moments, the SheCANic Garage looked and felt like the real deal. Red stools. Workbenches. Open signs. And shelves filled with real car parts, brake pads, filters, oil bottles, spark plugs, and more.

It was designed to welcome women and men of all knowledge levels, from first-time drivers to seasoned gearheads, to explore what’s under the hood without judgment or intimidation.

This wasn’t just for show. Attendees could:

Learn how to check fluids and read tire tread
Handle real parts and tools to get a better feel for car care
Scan QR codes to learn more or sign up for the SheCANic Car Care Workshop

Every detail had a purpose, from jars filled with different car fluids to displays of brake pads. Everything was functional and educational.

From the Garage to the Stage

As part of the PowHER Collective panel series, Patrice Banks, CEO of Girls Auto Clinic, joined other women of color pushing innovation and inclusion across the industry. Patrice Banks led a fireside chat focused on what it takes to build trust in automotive spaces, particularly for women who have historically been underrepresented.

PowHER Collective panelists speak on stage at Auto Tech 2025 about diversity in the automotive industry.

Quiet Moves, Big Conversations

While in Detroit, Patrice also made a visit to Ford Motor Company headquarters for a check-in with CEO Jim Farley and Ford leadership. It wasn’t the highlight of the trip, but it’s always important when someone from our lane gets a seat at the table.

Patrice Banks at Ford HQ with CEO Jim Farley and fellow automotive executives

Patrice Banks standing outside the Ford World Headquarters, smiling and leaning against a black post, with the iconic Ford building and flags in the background.

It Was a Hit, And It's Just the Beginning

We came ready with goodies for everyone, and no one left empty-handed. SheCANic stickers, keychains, tattoos, glove box guides, pens, even candy. With hundreds of visitors throughout the weekend, this exhibit proved what we've always known: Women want in. They just need a space that was built with them in mind.