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First Black Autos and C.R. Patterson

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Vintage portrat of CR Patterson in front of a car
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Speaker and author Mr. Henry A. May talks about the entrepreneurial spirit of C.R. Patterson, the only known African-American automobile manufacturer.

While writing his mother’s memoirs of her time as an artist during the Harlem Renaissance, Henry Atwell May discovered that she spent her summers with relations out in Ohio. There she would play in her uncle’s factory, C.R Patterson and Son’s Automobile Manufacturers to be precise. 

Henry A May presenting to class at Malcolm Pray Achievement Center
Henry A May presenting to class about C.R. Patterson automobiles

Henry May is the direct descendant of C.R. Patterson, a fugitive slave who fled to freedom by swimming across the Ohio River with his blacksmith tools on his back. The Patterson family would become the first and only known all African American automobile manufacturers.  Their story is one of hard work, unity, and the agility to change with the demands of the times.

Car enthusiasts and school children alike will enjoy the book and meeting the author, Henry A. May Jr. to hear how the discovery of C.R. Patterson and his contribution to the automotive world all came to fruition.

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Andy Shapiro

Andy Shapiro is an auto dealer and currently owns Hudson Auto Group, which represents the Hyundai and Subaru brands. Andy previously worked for Roger Penske as an operating executive for his business, United Auto Group. Andy became good friends with Malcolm Pray during the last 10 years of his life. Even retirement would not dampen Mr. Pray’s enthusiasm for the car business nor his desire to remain up to date on all aspects of it. Mr. Pray kept his knowledge current and Andy received great wisdom and advice. It was a terrific friendship. Andy is currently Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Coalition of Auto Retailers (NJCAR) and vice chairman of the Board of Directors of Wholesale Auto Supply Company (WASCO), a buying cooperative owned by New Jersey / New York / Connecticut auto dealers. Andy also serves on the Board of Directors of Answer the Call, a New York based non profit organization dedicated to helping family members of New York City fallen first responders. Despite owning a 1985 Aston Martin Lagonda that always faithfully started on the seventh attempt, Andy remains a classic car enthusiast and is committed to Mr. Pray’s mission.

Courtney Fischer

Courtney Fischer is Malcolm Pray’s first grandchild and inherited his entrepreneurial genes. Courtney owns and operates the Pray Body Shop in Stamford, Connecticut. Pray Body Shop is a collision repair shop certified by Audi, Volkswagen and Tesla. Courtney grew up spending many hours by her grandfather’s side and was inspired by his love of cars. She wanted to continue his legendary local automobile business and studied at Babson College before getting into the auto body business. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS is Business Administration and concentrated in entrepreneurship and leadership. Courtney played for the tennis team at Babson and continues the hobby today. Along with the Malcolm Pray Achievement Center, she volunteers with the Junior League of Greenwich, Connecticut.

Philip Richter

Philip is the President and Partner of Hollow Brook Wealth Management where he oversees firm-wide client relations, marketing and business development, and sits on the investment committee. Philip is involved with asset allocation, manager selection, and equity research. Philip sits on the board of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, the United States Equestrian Federation, the Revs Institute, and the Pray Family Foundation. Philip is the Chairman of the Lake Placid Horse Show, and the Treasurer of the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Philip received a BA from Boston College and an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University. Philip is a vintage car enthusiast who maintains a collection of modern classics and pre-war motorcycles. He participates in international car shows, hosts the Turtle Invitational (a biennial car show in Bedford, NY), and is a regular contributor to many equine and collector car publications. Philip also competes in equestrian show jumping in the high amateur-owner division.

Melanie “Lilly” Pray

Lilly has been a classic car judge for over 20 years at various concours events around the country. She found her love and passion for cars at an early age with her father Malcolm, a noted collector from Greenwich, Connecticut. Her daughter, Portia, is following in her footsteps also as a Judge at several concours events. Lilly is a Registered Nurse, specializing in Emergency, Neurology and Orthopedics after many years driving a firetruck as a Firefighter/Paramedic. She lives in Boulder, Colorado and regularly drives vintage cars.

Harry Peden

Harry is a senior partner of Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan LLC and head of the firm’s Business Law Department since1975. In particular, he has advised entrepreneurs with regard to the structuring and development of new businesses, including some that have become highly successful private and public entities. He served as Mr Pray’s lawyer for 48 years and continues as a member of the Pray Family Foundation. Harry is a graduate of Brown University and St. John’s University School of Law.

Christina (Chris) Hughes​

Chris began working for Pray Automobile Corporation in 1976 after graduating from Pace University with degrees in marketing and management. Within weeks, she became Mr. Pray’s personal assistant, a position she would hold for over 35 years. Chris was on the front line between two-dozen managers and an owner who settled for no less than excellence. Along with a very successful business, Mr. Pray was involved in all things social, charitable, and Republican, both in Greenwich and nationally. In 1999, Chris assisted in creating the Malcolm Pray Achievement Center. She splits her time between the Pray Family Foundation and Pray Body Shop in Stamford, where she still works.