7/31/2019 Rainbow Push Automotive Project: Our Story

1/3

No other industry in the history of America has

been as important to the economic growthand nancial viability of American families

as the domestic auto industry. Many years ago, peoplemigrated from the South to the North in droves, looking

for a decent wage and workers rights in a burgeoningindustry with immeasurable potential. This mass exodusincreased the African-American population in northernstates by about 40 percent. But uprooting their familiesand taking a risk in search of a more prosperous future

was a necessary step for those interested in having a rolein this new industrial revolution.

Before long, it was clear that the auto industry was hereto stay and would be the chief component of a moreprosperous America. But while many enjoyed a certainlevel of afuence thanks in part to the auto industry,some African Americans still lagged behind in somerespects. African Americans were often relegated to theleast desirable jobs in plants and there were instances ofinequalities in the pay structure. The disparities didntcease at the plant level. Those African Americans with thenancial wherewithal to purchase car dealerships foundit increasingly difcult to do so based on any number ofreasons not the least of which was a systemic push-

back from the establishment.

Consequently, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. got involved aftera group of African-American owners sought his advice.

Jackson had an existing relationship with the domesticautomakers, including Ford Motor Company, with whomhis organization, RainbowPUSH Coalition, already hada memorandum of understanding in place as a way toensure that Ford would remain vigilant in treating the

African-American community fair and equitably.

Blacks were having challenges getting their fair shareof dealerships and getting access to capital, he saysin response to the impetus behind his getting involvedin the industrial ght. Jackson ultimately suggestedthey bind together as a unied front and ght for anequitable shake. It wasnt until several Detroit-area

business leaders and powerbrokers got involved that themovement shifted into overdrive.

Jackson started the Wall Street Project in New York asa way to spur access to capital, industry and technologyfor minority businesses and communities. The Projecteventually fostered countless triumphant success storiesand caught the attention of many in the country, includingseveral Detroit-area business leaders and powerbrokers:Mel Farr, John Conyers, Dave Bing, among others. Thesethree saw rsthand the struggles other African Americansfaced in the industry Mel Farrs Mel Farr AutomotiveGroup was once the largest African-American-owned

business in the country; John Conyers brother, Nathan,owned Conyers Riverside Ford; and Dave Bings BingSteel was a major player as a minority-owned supplier

By Damon Autry

Global Automotive Luncheon panel.

DRIVEN| Volume 1208 DRIVEN| Volume 1208

7/31/2019 Rainbow Push Automotive Project: Our Story

2/3

to the auto industry. Witnessingthe success and universal appealof the Wall Street Project in New

York, Farr, John Conyers and Bingapproached Jackson and suggestedhe expand the New York concept

to Detroit in an effort to assist theauto industry. As a result, in 1998the Global Automotive Project was

born. This decision put into sharpfocus the state of the automotiveindustry and the role that dealers,suppliers, industry leaders and evenconsumers play. The mission of theGlobal Automotive Project mirrorsthat of the Wall Street Project, in thatit aims to promote access to industry,capital, technology, as well as leveling the economic

playing eld for people of color and women.

No place is the Global Automotive Project morerelevant than in the industrial heartland of theMidwest specically Detroit. As important asthe auto industry is to the nancial vibrancy of thecountry, it is immensely more vital in the MotorCity. But as a whole, one in every 10 jobs in Americais linked in some way tothe auto industry. That is

why the presence of theGlobal Automotive Projectand its Annual Automotive

Summit initiative are astimely as ever. Every yearsince 1999, Jackson bringstogether automotive industryleaders and experts as partof the Automotive Summitto explore and advancecurrent global standardsand strategies. These annualsummits also help ascertainhow automotive issuesimpact minority and womensuppliers, dealers, manufacturers, employees

and corporate governance. One of the automotiveissues that remain in the crosshairs of the Global

Automotive Project is industry diversity.

Theres nothing in the auto industry no partthat is made, no car that is designed that [African

Americans] cant do, Jackson says. Nothing. Thatsthe value and the power of diversity.

Glenda Gill, executive director of the GlobalAutomotive Project, says inclusion and diversity

industry-wide can be improved. Some autocompanies are sprinting with inclusion as theirmantras, she says. Others have been slow, yetsteady. Still others are moving at a snails pace eventhough the ethnic marketplace subsidizes theirrevenue and sustains their companies.

Industry executives view the summit as a worthwhilecause. Each year, top brass from automakersfrom around the globe participate in the event.

Jackson says that automakerslook at African Americans as keyparticipants to industry growth.They see us as partners in thecontinuous development of the

industry, not just as the cost of doingbusiness. [African Americans]are in the major leagues of automanufacturing in the world, and[the auto companies] realize it.

Jackson also says the industryas a whole has been increasinglyreceptive to the presence and themission of the automotive summit.Its been a culture change, hesays. Theres less and less of a

shock toward our participation in the process. We

bring to the marketplace creativity, ideas, workethic, capital, technology, our ability as engineersand designerswe are a value-added commodity.

Automotive leaders are joined at the summit byentrepreneurs, community banks and OEMs. Inaddition, the summit offers young professionals anetworking opportunity to strengthen their brandsand increase business relationships.

Jackson talks about maintaining a watchful andsteadfast approach to ensuring the auto industry

Nate Conyers, Rev. Jackson and Mark Reuss, president of GM North America.

Rev. Jackson

DRIVEN| Volume 1 2DRIVEN| Volume 1 2

7/31/2019 Rainbow Push Automotive Project: Our Story

3/3

remains accountable to its stated goal of achievingdiversity; a level-playing eld with equal access toopportunities. Are we getting any closer? Whosmonitoring the progress? The Global AutomotiveProject has actually institutionalized oversight withinthe industry and is able to examine the advancementson an ongoing basis. As many as four times per year,

the Global Automotive Project meets with automakersand releases its ndings from these meetings. Thesereports, among other things, assess automakers successon their diversity plans throughout their businessdisciplines, such as human resources, procurement,dealer development, advertising and marketing, theauto show, and several other areas. This scorecard givesthe Global Automotive Project a broad overview of howfar we have come, and how much further we have togo.

Its been said that the auto industry is as cyclical and aschallenging as any in the world, and perhaps no better

example of that is its near-collapse in 2008 followedseveral years later by a steady, yet mildly turbulentreturn to viability. But despite the tumultuous times,Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. and the Global Automotive Projectremained relentless voices in support of an industry in

which we all have a stake. Indeed, the modern-day autoindustry is a global marvel, but when it is distilled to itspurest form, it is a local phenomenon that strengthensfamilies and strengthens communities. And with theefforts of the Global Automotive Project, we can ensurethat strength, vibrancy and resilience will remain partof the auto industry for generations to come.

All photographss by Bill Saunders

Chuck Stokes, Rev. Jackson, Linda Mathis, Hiram Jackson and Glenda Gill.

DRIVEN| Volume 1210 DRIVEN| Volume 1210