"Edward Davis" (1911?-1999)

In 1939 opened his first automobile business, a used-car lot, in downtown detriot.Two years later the used car business was turned into a Studebaker dealership,and Edward became the first African American to own a new-car dealership.When He was awarded a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership in November 1963,he became the first African American to run a Big Three franchise.Before operating his own business,Edward worked at a Dodge plant and later sold cars for a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership.Forbidden to sell on the showroom floor with white salespersons,he was successful in promoting himself in Detriot's black community.After retiring from his Chrysler dealership in 1971,he became manager for the city bus system and worked as a consultant to minority automobile dealers. In 1933 the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers honored Edward by establishing the annual Edward Davis Pioneer Award.The Edward Davis Scholarship Fund,in his honor,was established to support black students interested in the automotive field.In January 1999 He was inducted into the automobile Hall of Fame Museum,the first black man to be so honored. He is the author of the book One Man's Way.