A Celebration of the Life of Thomas Ahart

April 3, 1938-July 8, 2022

Thomas Insell Ahart was born April 3, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan, to parents, Eula Maude Reid and Greek Revis Ahart. He was one of five children of this union. A second marriage of Greek Ahart and Blanche Stokes birthed two children. Thomas was raised in First Baptist Church in Southwest Detroit, and in Reston, affiliated with United Christian Parish. Tom departed this life on July 8, 2022.
Tom attended public schools in Detroit, graduating from Southwestern High School. Excelling in English, he was editor of the school newspaper and later was a contributing writer for the Michigan Chronicle, a Black-owned newspaper. Tom continued his education at Wayne State University in Detroit, graduating in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. After undergraduate school, he studied for a year at Detroit College of Law. Throughout his years in high school and college, Tom was a working student: various jobs in high school; in college, working evenings at Detroit Receiving Hospital in the medical records department. His work ethic was a principle in his life. In addition to working and going to classes, Tom made time for university activities, socializing and having fun. He was inducted into Omega Psi Phi—an African American fraternity—in 1960 at Wayne State University. He was a leader and made substantial contributions to the chapter’s growth and development. Tom was also active in the college chapter of the NAACP, again taking a leadership role in the NAACP Youth Council.
In Virginia, Tom continued his participation in the fraternity as a charter member of Omega Psi Phi, Psi Nu Chapter in Alexandria, VA. He was a member of the Fairfax County Branch of the NAACP and served as Youth Council Advisor, as well as Co-Chair of the 2012 Freedom Fund Awards Banquet.
Tom’s first job after graduation was with the Detroit News in its advertising department. Then he moved on to Michigan Blue Cross Blue Shield as Personnel Communications Administrator. His most important job came next. He was hired at Ford Motor Company, World Headquarters in Dearborn, MI as Industrial Relations Administrator. He managed and implemented corporate policy matters and college and international recruiting. He would laugh as he would say that he thought he would be traveling all over the world but found that he was doing background research and making plans for executives to travel. Still he met influential higher-ups and other up-and-coming African American men at the company, and made lasting friends. Community service activities continued in these years as he was active with the local Jaycees, and an interest in politics blossomed. He was active with the Michigan Young Republicans. In fact, he ran for the office of Register of Deeds in Detroit when George Romney was Governor.
Tom met Menda Britton at a NAACP tri-college meeting. Meeting again six years later, their love affair began and they were married on June 26, 1965 at her hometown church, Womack Temple C.M.E. in Inkster, MI. Tom and Menda adopted two beautiful children, Pamela Michelle and Thomas Britton, who make them proud and thankful to God every day.
In 1970, Tom accepted a position to come to Washington, DC to work for the American Bankers Association as Director of Investment, MinBanc Capital Corporation, and Director of the Urban Development Committee to work with executive level bankers in developing and administering industry-wide programs related to urban economic development. He managed investments in minority owned commercial banks. He held this position until July 1977 when he resigned to become Executive Director of the National Minority Purchasing Council. This nonprofit organization was designed to promote the purchase of goods and services from minority-owned firms by major corporations. In 1972 when the council began, it brought $86 million worth of business to minority firms.
Drawing on all his professional experiences, his entrepreneurial efforts were initiated. Tom formed and served as President of The Ahart Group, Inc. The company provided a wide-range of financial brokering services to assist clients to obtain both equity and debt capital. His company also provided consulting services with non-profits: African American Adoptions, Inc. and Family and Youth Advocacy Center (FAYAC).
Tom received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to organizations. Tom wrote articles that appeared in several financial publications. He read the newspapers daily and did the crossword puzzles.
Tom loved his family. He loved gathering for block parties, back-yard cookouts, fish fries, with music and lots of food! He enjoyed being with family here and traveling to Detroit, Arkansas, Nebraska, Ohio, and New York. Tom enjoyed traveling—trips to Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, Europe, Kenya, the Caribbean Islands; traveling to see friends in Los Angeles, Mobile and New Orleans for Mardi Gras. He loved having fun! Most of all, Tom loved and was so proud of his children and the responsible adults they became. His grandchildren were the light of his life and his hope for the future.
To those that had the pleasure of knowing Tom Ahart, he undoubtedly made a profound impression upon them. Always with a warm greeting, a smile and a boisterous laugh, he would do all that he could to help you out and to let you know that you were cared for. He was a man whose positive strength was a presence. He was a strong provider who always ignored the strain that his mind and body endured. A man that remained committed to his family, both nuclear and extended. A man that tirelessly gave and never wanted. He was the knowledgeable voice that many turned to when wisdom was needed. He was a pillar of a man that helped to raise up and inspire more people than he may have realized. The weight of his loss is greatly felt, but the power of his impact will continue to resonate.
Tom is survived by his wife, Menda; his children, Pamela (husband Anthony), Britt (wife Laura), grandson Campbell, granddaughters, Alyssa and Reese; brothers, Gregory and Charles Ahart; sister, Mary Ann Simpson; eldest living nieces, Celeste Tia Miles, Charlene Nixon; eldest living nephews Lamont Nixon, Colden Cook, James Brewer. Preceding him in death were parents, Greek and Eula Ahart, stepmother, Blanche Ahart; sisters, Addie Elmira Cook (husband Colester), Theresa Nixon (husband Charlie), Helen Brewer; brothers, Oliver Ahart (wife Dorothy), Joseph (wife Mattie); nieces Sandra Deans, Kathleen Nixon; nephew, Kenneth Miles. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends mourn his passing.