history
who… what… where
A group of Detroit-area African-American retailers who have come together to form the Independent Retailers’ Association (“IRA”). Our goal is to act as a collaborative group better equipped to promote and pursue collective interests of retailers and their customers than individual store owners are able to alone.
when
Our group began gathering November 2005 and officially incorporated the organization March 2006.
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and members of his immediate staff visited an IRA meeting in April (2006) and pledged his administration’s approval and support. He looked forward to the growth and progress of the organization and its plans to be a vital force in building Detroit’s economic strength.
why
In our mission statement we share that IRA retailers are dedicated to, “people of color who are vastly under served.”
President Cal Williams, of Pinnacle Sportswear in Detroit and Troy, explained, “We had to do this. It’s all about strength in numbers and the new collaborative business model.
“As African-American retailers we have to join forces if we expect to grow. We have to stay cutting-edge if we intend to go beyond merely surviving, to thriving as businesses.”
Rufus Bartell,
another founder and owner of Simply Casual and Shoe House Boulevard in Detroit, added, “It’s not just about African-Americans though we are the ones who initially came together on this naturally because we are connected. But make no mistake, we have a world view on this -on building successful business through relationships- that’s why we say ‘people of color.’ We feel all people of color in this country are ‘vastly under served’ in terms of excellent offerings and services in their own communities.”
“It’s not that excellent offerings and services don’t exist in the community, there just isn’t enough positive exposure of it right now to sustain business and community growth. That’s why those of us who are providing or striving to provide excellent buying experiences must work together to best achieve that for
our collective customer base,” he said.
how
According to Richard Welch, another of the group’s original founders, and owner of Silver Fox Furs in Detroit, “This is not the first time a group of African-Americans in Detroit came together to form a retailers’ organization. However, this is probably the first time such an organization has gotten this far with it. Many of our founding members are
witness to that.”
“The initial stage of an organization this potentially powerful is all consuming and demands an extreme level of commitment. Retailers have a natural challenge with that because of their all consuming dedication to operating their businesses,” suggested, IRA founder, Milford Nelson, former co-owner of Amber’s Ltd. in Southfield.
“But as IRA comes together more retailers are recognizing the need and the benefit of something like this, and deciding to add it to their own priorities. For us, IRA is a lifestyle. A business lifestyle,” Nelson concluded.
The consensus among our current members is that opportunity for growth at this stage is unlimited. We look forward to participation of new members during this development stage because this is when the most instrumental creative contributions can be made.
“I became a part of IRA because it gave me the opportunity to build something greater than myself or my individual businesses, while at the same time, helping my businesses. IRA has a vision for the future. That vision involves impacting the community through excellence. IRA retailers are set on providing our shoppers better service and shopping experience than they can get anywhere else other than with ‘IRA’ retailers.
“The vision also involves career opportunities and establishing a foundation for successful entrepreneurship that our youth can tap into. IRA is created to do all of that and more. I helped shape and share that vision,” Williams concluded.
Though not available now, IRA is considering developing additional levels of membership for students and start-up retail businesses in the future.
Let us know what you think.
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Retailers interested in IRA membership may download the membership application package and call:
313.309.3287 for more information or an interview.
