Detroit Marina holds unique title: Only African American operated marina in Michigan

With four of the five Great Lakes, it’s no surprise Michigan has one of the largest boating communities in the country.

However, what some may not not know is Detroit is home to the largest African American boating community in the nation, and Riverside and Erma Henderson Marinas, both located in Detroit on the Detroit River, are the only marinas in Michigan ran and operated by a Black company. Only two other marinas in the nation hold this title.

“Given the history of boating life for black people, we have come a long way,” says Jason McGuire, whose company, ABC Enterprise, runs and operates Riverside and Erma Henderson Marinas.

“A lot of Blacks actually docked in Canada because they could not dock here in the United States because there was racism. So, Porterfield wanted to build a marina that was inclusive of everyone. It didn’t matter what color you were, you would have a nice place to be able to dock your boat. This place was originally the Porterfield Wilson marina,” McGuire told “Live In The D’s”, April Morton.

The late Porterfield Wilson, a Black Detroit businessman in the 70s and 80s, along with former Detroit Mayor Coleman A Young, envisioned a world-class marina They envisioned one with condos, restaurants, and inclusive to all ethic backgrounds.

McGuire says business at Riverside is seeing an all time high. Although he hasn’t brought Mr. Wilson’s entire vision to life just yet, he’s hoping to one day bring it all to fruition.

Riverside Marina sustaining Black boating community that started in late 1980s

Jason McGuire, owner of Riverside Marina, Louis Smith, 81, of Detroit, and Teberah Alexander, 42, of Detroit talk on the dock at Riverside Marina in Detroit on August 16, 2021. Riverside Marina is a boating community that is 98% Black.

Terrisena Mccants, 53, of Detroit sits in the back of the boat as her husband, Raymond Mccants, 52, of Detroit, drives the boat in the Detroit River in Detroit on August 27, 2021. Raymond Mccants II keeps his boat at Riverside Marina in Detroit. Riverside Marina is a boating community that is 98% Black.

Capt. Kirk Wilson of Detroit poses in the front seat of his boat at Riverside Marina in Detroit on August 16, 2021. Riverside Marina is a city-owned marina in Detroit's Marina District. The marina was the vision of Porterfield Wilson and former Detroit mayor Coleman A. Young.

Riverside Marina in Detroit on August 16, 2021. Riverside Marina is a city-owned marina in Detroit's Marina District. The marina was the vision of Porterfield Wilson and former Detroit mayor Coleman A. Young.

RODNEY COLEMAN-ROBINSON, DETROIT FREE PRESS

Get to Know Jason A. McGuire, CEO and Owner of ABC Professional Enterprise LLC.

ABC PE, a public asset/property management company, currently manages and operates over 100 acres of Marinas in the City of Detroit on the Detroit River.

Jason A. McGuire is the proud father of 3 amazing young men; Jason Jr (19), Nicholas (17), and Ashton (8).

Jason currently resides in Detroit, MI where he was born and raised; here he learned and developed a passion for boating, sports, and all things mechanical.

Mr. McGuire attended Jared W. Finney and Golightly Vocational High Schools in Detroit where he was encouraged and challenged to expand on his innate curiosity for the way things work. Driven by an insatiable desire to learn, Mr. McGuire is an avid reader and self-taught, incessant student. Having an exceptionally comprehensive understanding of how things operate, he persistently strives to improve and maximize the mechanics of any vessel, program, or system. Mr. McGuire is a leader, and in the same vein has the ability to enrich and empower the persons with whom he is involved, both personally and professionally.

Mr. McGuire is one of only 11 African American Certified Marina Managers in the US, and the only one in the state of Michigan, having completed Advanced Marina Management Courses through the National Association of Marina Industries.

Jason McGuire is a member of the Detroit Motor City Yacht Club, enjoys cigars, riding his Harley and of course…. traveling the waterways by boat. He is actively participating and watching his dream unfold as he empowers young men, families and more African Americans to experience a new culture in the Boating World.