TJ Loftin has been recognized as a Celebrity Car Builder, Inventor, Auto Parts Manufacturer, Real Estate and Land Development expert, preeminent Gentrification analyst, Bestselling Author, Automotive Historian, Keynote Speaker, Wealth Coach, and now a Multi-award winning Filmmaker.
Since at a young age, TJ was under the tutelage of highly- esteemed local business leaders of Compton, California who influenced him on the importance of ownership, community, and entrepreneurship.
TJ opened his first brick and mortar business at the age of 21. It would be the first of many very successful businesses (Express Gold Plating, Compton Wire Wheels, Loftin Impala Parts and Molded Suspension), pioneering the international shipping of Low Riders, custom and classic cars, motorcycles and parts. His innovations and business acumen allowed him to establish low riding as a bonafide industry, with international recognition throughout the entertainment industry via music videos, commercials, and movies, most notably the mega hit film, Straight Outta Compton, while in the process, spearheading the stoppage of gang violence. TJ has become an advisor to global Low Rider clubs and car builders.
Transitioning from actual car building and selling his car businesses, TJ delved into the hot California real estate market. In 2002, as a mortgage broker and land developer, he partook in the investing in the newly up-and-coming city of Palmdale, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. It was also there where he first confronted gentrification in-the-making. Afer acquiring large amounts of real estate in the Antelope Valley, TJ became instrumental in helping community leaders organize a successful lawsuit against the City, later becoming known as the “Antelope Valley Section 8 Scandal”. His influence was key to furthering entrepreneurship and real estate ownership in Los Angeles County for years to come.
In an effort to give back and rebuild his community, TJ returned to Compton and became an advisor to both Compton and Inglewood Unified School Districts. There, he helped to bring in community partners like Dr. Dre and Master P who donated to rebuild all the high schools in Compton. Prior to that, TJ completely renovated his beloved auto shop classes at Centennial and Dominguez High Schools. As a result of his efforts and advocacy for improved infrastructure, both of these schools and Compton High School have been subject to demolition to be rebuilt with technological advancements for the students and their future.
By becoming the Assistant Director at Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum, TJ directly influenced the development of the aeronautics program to primarily Black children. This resulted in one of the largest mergers in Compton’s history, the merging of Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum (TAM) with the Black College Expo which opened the door for implementation of aviation classes in schools. As the Founder and President of the Leimert Park Vendor’s Association (now Africa Town) in Los Angeles, he was the first to identify and wage war on gentrification in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California. During this time, he became a close friend, student and
advisor to Dr. Sebi. As a result, Dr. Sebi was able to further the growth of the emerging alkaline food and products industries. Dr. Sebi personally endorsed TJ and persuaded him to travel and share his expertise internationally.
TJ’s travels compelled him to write his self-published, bestsellers “Monetizing Gentrification: Building Black Ownership” parts 1 and 2, and TJ’s Tool Box.
Based on his experience and foresight, TJ persists that the automotive industry is in extreme need of labor support, the furthering of innovations within the automotive space, especially within the sub-industries of classic cars, low riders, custom cars and motorcycles. After uncovering the true but hidden history of the Industrial Revolution, C.R. Patterson, Lewis Adams, Booker T. Washington/Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, and Marcus Garvey, TJ has become one of our leading historians and speakers! He acknowledges the need to protect it not for what it has already provided, but for what is yet to come. Given the extremely high demand for such vehicles, he finds immense opportunities for especially the Black community who are least represented within the industry.
TJ’s call to action is for immediate pivoting into the Trades as they are proven pathways to entrepreneurship which leads to sustainable legacy wealth and transferable skills. As AI (Artificial Intelligence) is being offered up to Black America, the real solution for economic empowerment, still continuing after 145 years, is the real AI, the Automotive Industry!
Aside from authoring books and creating documentaries, TJ actively speaks at conferences, colleges, schools, special events, and national tours. Also he offers supporting educational products, trainings, coaching, and consultations.
Mantra: “OUR story, not just HIStory”
