Walter Edmond Douglas, SR.

By: Marisa Jacques

Walter Edmond Douglas, Sr. is an accomplished businessman, entrepreneur, and civic pioneer. The indelible mark he has left on Detroit and beyond earns him the title of Classical Roots Honoree.  

Douglas was born in North Carolina and was raised in the railroad community of Hamlet. He stayed in North Carolina into early adulthood, attending North Carolina Central University where he earned a BA in accounting (1954) and MBA (1955). Upon graduation, Douglas briefly taught at Edward Waters Junior College in Jacksonville, Florida until he was drafted into the US Army in 1956. After serving for two years, Douglas was hired by the Internal Revenue Services, which would ultimately bring him to Detroit.  

In his role at the IRS, Douglas worked in data processing, where he wrote programs. The IRS was building a data center in Detroit, and Douglas was part of the initial crew to be transferred to the new facility. In 1966, Douglas moved with his family to Detroit and quickly became invested in the community. 

“I got here a year before the civil disturbance in 1967, and of course that incident sort of changed my life,” recounted Douglas. Witnessing one of the most violent and destructive civil riots in America and hearing the news spread throughout the country prompted Douglas to ask himself, “Is there anything I can do?” He initially turned to his church, Central Methodist, and swiftly began making an impact. 

Douglas participated in crucial dialogue with other members of the congregation, local businesses, and local politicians—Black and white alike. Through these conversations, Douglas connected with important nonprofit and political figures in Detroit. He became close to Coleman Young, the first African American mayor of Detroit, advising him during his campaign and working various positions once Young was elected in 1974. 

Another influential relationship Douglas fostered during the aftermath of the civil disturbance was with Larry Doss, who was president of New Detroit, Inc. at the time. New Detroit was the first coalition in the country formed to identify and rectify the inequities that existed in the community leading up to the 1967 riot. Doss appointed Douglas as vice president and sent him out to conduct research about the business community. Through this research, Douglas was introduced to the Inner-City Business Improvement Forum (ICBIF), an organization whose board he would later join. 

Douglas witnessed firsthand the lack of African Americans in leadership positions in Detroit. “I became quite interested in trying to inveigle and encourage African Americans to get into business,” said Douglas. He worked tirelessly doing so as he explored new opportunities and challenged the status quo. Douglas’s work with ICBIF and later as president of New Detroit prepared him for his immense personal business success that was soon to come. After many years advocating for and advising other African American business leaders, Douglas decided it was his time. 

In 1985, Douglas joined Ford Motor Company’s minority training program, which aimed to provide more African Americans with the opportunity to own car dealerships. While in this program, Douglas trained at Bill Brown Ford in Livonia, which was one of the largest Ford dealerships in Michigan at the time. Here, Douglas gained invaluable hands-on experience.  

The program, coupled with Douglas’s passion for business, proved successful when he purchased a share of the historic Avis Ford dealership in Southfield. In 1992, he became majority owner. Under Douglas’s ownership, the dealership has garnered awards and accolades, serving as a pillar of the Detroit business community. In 2006, he turned over the business to his sons, Mark and Edmond. To this day, Mark serves as president and Edmond serves as general manager, and Walter is still actively involved as chairman.  

Mark speaks fondly of his father’s leadership, detailing how he truly led by example: “The biggest thing I observed from watching him with respect to community, and philanthropic support as a whole, is recognizing the importance of to whom much is given, much is expected.” 

“We can always do more.” Mark continues, “And no one got here by themselves. So, when you have an opportunity to help someone do something that you've experienced before, it's sort of your requirement. It’s a rite of passage that I think we all owe anyone.”

The proclivity to help individuals who are in similar situations is evident in the community Douglas Sr. helped build in Detroit. Douglas thrived when he earned the opportunity to be in prominent positions in both private and public sectors, and he reinvested his knowledge, expertise, and finances to the organizations that helped him along the way. 

A relationship that has stood the test of time is the friendship between Douglas and colleague Edsel Ford II. Douglas and Ford worked closely when Douglas owned Avis Ford, and Ford recounts how Douglas’s positive treatment of his customers is a testament to his character. While working for Ford Credit, Ford bestowed awards upon Avis Ford for the exemplary customer service provided under Douglas’s leadership.  

When asked to describe Douglas in a few words, both his son Mark and Ford use the word “caring.” They know him as a nurturing family man, and a tough yet fair businessman who loves his work and the city of Detroit. These attributes are those of a man who exemplified what it means to be in community with others through his work. 

Douglas has devoted his skills to board service with a variety of organizations including, but not limited to, Henry Ford Health System, AAA Michigan, Tiger Woods Foundation, Health Alliance Plan, and Wayne State University Foundation. He also served on the DSO Board of Directors in the 1980s and has since been a supporter of the orchestra and advocate for African American involvement in the arts.  

While reflecting on his life thus far, Douglas declared: “During my period on this earth, I have tried to make things better than before I got here, and I have never stopped trying, and I never will.”

An inspiration to everyone around him, Douglas has indeed made Detroit a stronger community through his undying dedication and generous service.