My Auto Dream In BLACK America

Today everyone around the world is talking about CNN's two-part documentary "Black In America." Ten years ago Henry Louis Gates Jr., a Harvard professor, covered the same topic on PBS -"The Two Nations of Black America." Gates also produced "America Beyond the Colorline," which also aired on PBS in 2004, focusing on similar issues. Four years later, Soledad O'Brien, host of the CNN special, promoted her two-part documentary as being both ground- breaking and balanced. Maybe O'Brien is correct - her series was ground-breaking.

Unlike PBS, CNN has a worldwide viewership and the economic engine to properly promote a documentary solely dedicated to one group. In the past, CNN would not have had the courage to extensively dedicate the airtime or money for their staff to specifically focus on this subject matter. I often wonder is America more open to having a race discussion because of Senator Obama? Maybe! According to O'Brien, her documentary was in the works prior to Senator Obama's candidacy. Since America is on the heels of celebrating the 45th anniversary of Dr. King's August 1963 "I Have A Dream Speech," O'Brien says she wanted to see how much progress black Americans have made. Now that you've seen the special I would like for you to sound off. What did you think about the CNN special? Was the documentary balanced? Did it represent your world? What are the solutions to address a number of the issues black Americans face? What are you doing to make black America a better place to live?

I know you're probably asking yourself - why is Jeff focusing on this issue on an automotive blog? In my world, part of the American dream is that we're all able to buy a vehicle at a fair price, avoiding predatory lending practices, which predominately occurs within the minority community - regardless of education or income - according to a number of studies and my own personal experience from selling vehicles. In order for me to accomplish this dream of promoting car-buying literacy in the minority community, I have to constantly create partnerships and look for key decision makers to help propel my goal. Many of my opportunities have come from women or key decision makers who look like me - someone who truly understands my mission and the ROI (return on investment).

Had it not been for my experience of working for DaimlerChrysler (aka Chrysler), consulting with hundreds of dealers in Iowa, Upper Michigan, Central Texas and Wisconsin, I probably wouldn't have had the foresight to enter this world of entrepreneurship. During my seven-year tenure of working in corporate, I rarely saw a black dealer and I only worked with three black new car sales managers, helping them to refine, re-tune or grow their business. I never had the opportunity to really give back to the community in my working environment. Furthermore, I never worked with any women in a position of power unless they were the customer service manager or office manager at the dealership. Isn't that a shame? However, once my travel schedule adjusted I did have an opportunity to integrate Junior Achievement, a personal economics course taught by the business community to the schools, into my work schedule -giving back to the community.

Prior to being hired by Chrysler in the early nineties, I learned that the search committee was having difficulty finding qualified black applicants in Wisconsin to fulfill their minority quota, until I was plucked out of Atlanta. Isn't Chicago, which is highly populated with educated African Americans, located next door? Fortunately for me and the quota system, Chrysler took me out of my comfort zone, exposing me to a whole new world. Foremost, encouraging me to step out on my own, creating my own path. Because of the quota system, Ralph Gilles, lead designer of the second-generation Chrysler 300, made a lot of money for the company, returning them to profitablity at one time. In case you don't know much about Gilles, check out this inspiring one-on-one interview I conducted with him two years ago. The point I'm making is that diversity is good for America. Everyone should be invited to have a seat at the table, so we can all experience the American dream. Just look at Senator Obama's international tour this week, ensuring he's capable of working with leaders and countries across the globe. Boy, he makes me proud!

As I journey on this path of entrepreneurship, today I struggle to find a local and national media format to promote car-buying literacy. Wasn't this King's dream, too - financial equality? Often I am speaking with industry executives to find the 'right' media format, looking for every opportunity possible. While I find we have a number of radio shows targeting the community, how many of them provide financial literacy or consumer tips? The two syndicated shows we have thrive on politics and civil rights issues. There is an auto radio/TV show in the Atlanta area. Conversely, the show is designed to encourage minority consumers to buy new vehicles not really to educate consumers. If the community researched the background of the host, they'll know something is fishy about the make up of the show and why he's focused on minority consumers. Unfortuately, the target audience isn't aware of the true mission of the show. Yet, we can find a number of financial literacy shows in the mainstream media - XM radio (satellite), NPR stations, or cable TV. But, not on urban formats. Maybe financial literacy isn't good for our community. Do we not buy vehicles? Autos are the first large investment most of us make and you know how you feel when you make that monthly payment.

In many instances, the cars we drive define us - who would we like to become or what we have become. Through it all, its been challenging for executives to understand that our community and advertisers will support such a format. I guess this is the same struggle authors Terry McMillian and E. Lynn Harris went through, when publishers said black women didn't read books. Well, I could go on, but I want to hear your thoughts about the CNN special. By the way if you missed the special, it will re-air this weekend. Check out CNN.com for more details. In case you don't have access to CNN, visit XMradio.com to hear CNN radio online for free, signing up for a two-week trial period.