Auto Center Drive in Valencia has been renamed Cheri Fleming Auto Center Drive in memory of the late co-owner of Valencia Acura in Santa Clarita.

The City of Santa Clarita revealed a new name for Auto Center Drive in Valencia in memory of businesswoman, philanthropist and community leader Cheryl Anne “Cheri” Fleming in a ceremony Tuesday morning.

“Cheri Fleming was a monumental member of the Santa Clarita community,” said Laurene Weste, mayor of the City of Santa Clarita. “She dedicated her life to helping others and giving back, and she always did so with a bright and beautiful smile. She had a kind and compassionate and energetic spirit that captured the attention of all those who had the pleasure of meeting her.”

Fleming, 69, passed away in November of 2020 from complications following a brain aneurysm.

Auto Center Drive has now been renamed Cheri Fleming Auto Center Drive in her honor.

Many well-known figures in the Santa Clarita community attended the street dedication ceremony, including Congressman Mike Garcia, Assemblywoman Suzette Valladares and the members of Santa Clarita’s City Council.

See Related: Remembering Community Leader, Philanthropist Cheri Fleming

“I love the Fleming family,” said Garcia. “I love Cheri. She was a matriarch of our valley and everything that Santa Clarita represented. This is a utopia that we live in and it doesn’t become that way just by coincidence. It becomes that way because of leaders like Cheri.”

25 years ago, Fleming and her husband Don Fleming bought the Valencia Acura dealership. They have been credited for revitalizing the dealership and received awards for their business operations.

Cheri was awarded “Dealer of the Year” by Newsweek Magazine and the American International Automobile Dealer Association in 2006 based on Valencia Acura’s business practices and community involvement. At the time of her passing, Fleming served on the Board of Directors for the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association.

For over twenty years, Fleming contributed to Soroptimist International, a nonprofit organization that advocates for gender equality.

Fleming eventually became a board member for the organization, and took on the role of President of the American branch of Soroptimists International shortly after.

Valladares spoke on how despite being accomplished and having a powerful presence,  Flemming was approachable and welcoming.

“That’s really inspiring for young women in politics and business because it’s not always easy,” Valladares said. “And when you have examples like Cheri Fleming that are leaders in our community, that are mentors for our women and our girls in our community, we are in good hands.”

During the ceremony on Tuesday, Fleming’s accolades were also mentioned. She was named Santa Clarita’s Woman of the Year in 2004.

Six years later, she was recognized as Woman of the Year by the Los Angeles County  Fifth Supervisorial District and Commission for Women.

In 2006, Fleming was the first woman to earn the Dealer of the Year award from the American International Automobile Dealers Association and Newsweek.

“She led with the golden rule: Treat others in the way you wish to be treated,” Weste said. “The business success and philanthropic accolades she accumulated throughout her life comes as a result of exemplifying the golden rule.”

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