"Edward-Davis" (1911?-1999)

Opened his first  automobile business,a used-car lot,in downtown Detriot.Two years later the used car business was turned into a Studbaker dealership,until 1956,when the manufacturer went of business.When Edward  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 African American 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  African American students interested in the automotive field.In  January 1999  Edward was inducted into the Automobile Hall of  Fame Museum,the first  African American man to be honored. Edward  is the author of the book One Man's Way.