Before she died in 2024, Ellenae Fairhurst — the first Black woman to own an Infiniti dealership in North America and to own a Lexus dealership in the U.S. — dedicated herself to smoothing the road to auto dealer ownership for Black entrepreneurs.

Her legacy lives on through the Ellenae Fairhurst Entrepreneurial Trust, to which Fox Rothschild partner Seth L. Dobbs provides counsel, which provides financial backing for dealership acquisitions by first-time Black purchasers selected by a group of trustees.

Dobbs recently closed the Trust’s second dealership transaction, the acquisition of South Richmond Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM in Prince George, VA. The dealership is now co-owned and operated by Ken Banks and Chris Justice, along with the Trust.

“It was a privilege to represent Fairhurst Automotive in this transaction and to support a mission dedicated to creating opportunity and supporting first-time Black ownership of dealerships,” said Dobbs.

According to Automotive News, minority dealers owned about 1,607 dealerships in 2024 and about 336 of those were Black-owned. Banks and Justice are the only Black franchise owners in Prince George County.

“You have forever changed generations of my bloodline,” Banks noted during a celebratory dinner, referring to receiving backing from the Trust to make his dream a reality.

“We are proud to play a part in helping carry forward Ms. Fairhurst’s legacy and excited to see what’s next for this incredible team. I know she would be very proud!” Dobbs said.