Of the three sports activities wherein Dan Banister participated throughout highschool, he ultimately centered on basketball and performed collegiately on the College of North Carolina at Charlotte.
However the 6-foot-7 ahead’s goals of taking part in professionally didn’t occur.
Banister realized he wanted to earn a dwelling and selected the automotive business. He started on the backside, incomes minimal wage, then seven {dollars}, promoting vehicles in Charlotte.
Almost 30 years later, Banister owns two Nissan dealerships in Virginia and can rejoice the grand opening of a Ford dealership in Marlow Heights, Maryland on Feb. 11.
“I labored [as a] salesperson, gross sales supervisor, finance supervisor, common gross sales supervisor and common supervisor. I did nearly every little thing you may consider at a automobile dealership,” stated Banister, who resides in Chesapeake, Virginia. “If alternative comes, that you must be able to go.”
He acquired the previous Sheehy Ford in April from the household who owned the dealership which had been in the identical location alongside Department Avenue for 52 years.
Some 80 staff work at Banister Ford with about 125 automobiles in inventory.
Banister represents one of many solely two Blacks who personal automobile dealerships in Prince George’s County. The truth is, they’re the one two Blacks with dealerships in your complete state of Maryland.
Damon Lester, proprietor of Nissan of Bowie who additionally acquired his dealership in April, stated he tried 16 instances to change into a automobile seller.
“It is extremely crushing to be instructed no 16 instances,” he stated. “It’s very difficult. But it surely proves I understand how to assist individuals change into sellers [because] I attempted for a number of years.”
In contrast to Banister, Lester doesn’t have a typical car background.
He’s not solely an authorized public accountant however he has served because the president of the Nationwide Affiliation of Minority Car Sellers, based mostly in Largo, for 20 years.
Out of the 18,000 dealerships nationwide, 1,200 are minority-owned with 266 owned by Blacks.
Extra stats: 95% of all minority dealerships symbolize first-generation homeowners who compete in opposition to fourth- and fifth-generation-owned companies. Within the D.C. space, they embody Koons, Darcars and Ourisman.
“After we take a look at minority dealerships, notably Black sellers, 99% of us are in our first 30-year mortgage,” Lester stated. “We haven’t been capable of create multi-generational wealth that may set up our household title and legacy – however we’re on the way in which.”
To learn the remainder of the story, take a look at The Washington Informer’s Feb. 17 version in our Black Historical past Month part.