Norma Ross

Norma Ross, Class of 1952

Bob Ross

Robert Ross, Class of 1953

Robert P. Ross, Sr., Class of 1953, (deceased) and Norma Henderson Ross, Class of 1952, were awarded the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award.

Both of the Rosses have blazed the trail as minority owners of car dealerships in Richmond and Centerville, OH, where Bob Ross Buick-GMC-Hummer and Ross Motor Cars is still operating and is home to Norma.

Beyond their business success, both of these individuals have given back to their community by serving as leaders for groups such as the United Negro College Fund, Wright State University President’s Advisory Council, Boy Scouts of America Fundraisers, National Council of Negro Women, African American Advisory Board for Earlham College, Montgomery County Regional Arts Council, Dayton YMCA Board, NEA, committees for the Dayton Board of Education, Steering Committee for the National Minority Business Roundtable.

Norma Ross was honored as 2001 Outstanding Alumna for Earlham College and has her name on the Norma Ross African-American Office in the Landrum Boling Building at Earlham. She graduated with a BS degree in education. She taught in Dayton as an elementary teacher for 20 years before becoming president of Bob Ross Buick in 1997 after Bob’s death.

Bob Ross Sr was the first African-American to own a Mercedes-Benz franchise in the world.  Norma is the only African American woman to own a Mercedes Benz dealership in the world.

Their children, Janelle Ross and Bob Ross, Jr., are also co-owners of the businesses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  380 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond, IN 47374

 (765) 973-3338