Armed with his training, Pickard began his good works. He started his career in 1965 as the director of education at the Cleveland Urban League and then, in 1967, joined the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as executive director. In 1969 Pickard returned to school to earn a PhD in psychology at Ohio State University in Columbus. On completing his studies he worked in several professorial positions at various institutions in southeastern Michigan and northern Ohio.

At the same time he started on a new path into the world of entrepreneurship, allowing his business and investment skills to emerge-skills that would be tested through several ventures and eventually lead him to success.

Soon after a chance meeting with a McDonald’s corporate executive, Pickard began his first business endeavor as the owner of several McDonald’s franchises. He was also investing, not too successfully, in car dealerships around that time. Later, a lunch with Henry Ford II led him from dealerships to the automotive supply industry. Ford told him, “We need black suppliers,” and Pickard took that to heart (Detroit News , May 21, 2002). Soon he began investing in minority firms that produced automotive parts. This move led to his creating the Global Automotive Alliance (Alliance), one of the country’s leading minority-owned companies.

 SHARING THE WEALTH

With the means to help others on a larger scale, Dr. Pickard created a company wide internship program to recruit the next generation of minority employees in plastics processing.  He also serves on the board of the National Urban League, and is a member of the Detroit Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In addition, he continues teaching, is an avid volunteer and donor to charities and mentors many aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders.

In 2001 the Detroit News honored him as a Michiganian of the Year for his accomplishments as an entrepreneur , teacher, and mentor to future leaders.