Two Trailblazing Auto Dealers Who Reshaped The Auto Industry

Jeff Fortson, the editor, with William Shack at Clark-Atlanta University's Spirit  of Greatness Gala.

William (Bill) Shack is one of the co-founders of the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD). According to NAMAD's website, the organization is committed to increasing opportunities for ethnic minorities in all aspects of the auto industry. They also seek to ensure the presence of a meaningful, representative number of minority entrepreneurs in the retail sales, supplier service sectors, and the manufacturing ranks. Initially, when the organization was found with both Nathan Conyers and Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., it was designed specifically to assist African Americans. Over the years the organization has become more inclusive, representing today's diverse minority population.

Shack made his first investment in the automotive industry, after using $100,000 from
a home investment to purchase his first franchise. Since then, Shack has owned a number of Ford, Lincoln-Mercury and Honda stores. All of which were located on the West Coat. Shack was one of the first African Americans in the country to acquire the aforementioned franchises. Just recently, he sold his last store. He currently resides in the
Las Vegas area and has made a full circle as it relates to his career, returning to the real estate and housing industry. Shack is also a board member at Clark-Atlanta University today, although he never had an opportunity to receive a degree during his matriculation. Ironically, a few years ago, the school awarded him with an Honorary Doctorate degree.

The editor Jeff Fortson with Gregory Baranco at Clark-Atlanta University Spirit of Greatness Gala.

Gregory Baranco (pictured) and his wife Juanita Baranco became one of the first African American-owned dealers in the Atlanta area in the early seventies. At the time, the Baranco's first  dealership, which was a Pontiac franchise, was located in East Point, Georgia. During that time period, Gregory Baranco along with several other dealers became one of the founding members of  GM's Black Dealer Association, helping to expand the growth of African American-owned GM stores. Baranco also served as the group's first president. Today, the group is known as General Motors Minority Dealer Association (GMMDA). The organization mission expands beyond the African American community to represent the best interest of minority-owned GM dealerships.

Like a number of the pioneering African American dealers, the Baranco's have expanded their franchise to include Buick, GMC, Lincoln-Mercury and two Acura stores. As a side note, the Baranco's Acura stores were located in Morrow, Georgia and Tallahassee, Florida. Greg Baranco used his personal plane, which he flew, to keep a handle on both stores. Again, the Baranco's were one one of the first African American dealers in the country to acquire the Japanese luxury brand. First minorities formed minority dealer organizations to have access to franchises from Ford, GM and Chrysler. The the push came later to have access to import brands like Toyota, Honda and Nissan. Then, established dealers fought to get lucrative franchises like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Today, the Baranco's along with former Atlanta mayor, Andrew Young, own a Mercedes-Benz  and Smart franchise. African American dealers are a rare breed today. At one time, there were well over a hundred black-owned dealership. Today there is less than fifty, as a result of the recession.

In fact, Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead is the only dealership in Atlanta owned by and African American. Less than a handful of African Americans around the country own a Mercedes-Benz franchise.

As a side note, at one point, the editor of JeffCars.com, Jeff Fortson, worked for Baranco as a porter decades ago, while he was in college. However, upon entering corporate America, working for Chrysler, Baranco's wife tried to steer him toward a career in retail automotive sales.

Furthermore, like Shack, the Baranco's were also one of the founding members of the National Association of Minority Automotive Dealerships (NAMAD).

To find a comprehensive listing of minority dealers in your area, click here.