• COVID-19 Resources
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Promotions
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • March 31, 2023

Milwaukee Courier Weekly Newspaper

"THE NEWSPAPER YOU CAN TRUST SINCE 1964"

  • News
  • Editorials
  • Education
  • Urban Business
  • Health
  • Religion
  • Upcoming Events
  • Classifieds
EXCEPT WHERE INDICATED, THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ON THIS PAGE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE MILWAUKEE COURIER

National Retailer Aaron’s, Inc. Enters Into Groundbreaking Agreement with Leading Wisconsin Community Organizations on Diversity Initiatives

March 17, 2018

Op-Ed By Urban Media News

Former Mayor Marvin Pratt to Chair Advisory Board Overseeing Execution of Agreement

Aaron’s, Inc., a major retailer focused on the leasing and sale of furniture, electronics, appliances and computers, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Milwaukee Urban League, Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce and the Urban League of Greater Madison. This MOU represents the first known instance of a national retailer seeking to operate in the state of Wisconsin making a written commitment to work with diverse civic and business organizations to ensure that people of color are afforded business and employment opportunities.

The Aaron’s Business engages in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories through its 1,726 company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada, as well as its e-commerce platform, Aarons.com. As of this date, Aaron’s has no retail locations in the state of Wisconsin. The Company is hopeful that it will be able to open retail locations providing lease-to-own agreements throughout Wisconsin based upon legislation pending before the Wisconsin Legislature.

The MOU focuses upon five keys areas: 1. Employment/ workforce recruitment; 2. Procurement; 3. Franchise Opportunities; 4. Philanthropy and Community Investments and 5. Marketing. Upon commencing operations in the state of Wisconsin, Aaron’s has committed to provide opportunities for minority businesses and to maintain a diverse Wisconsin workforce. Additionally, the Company has agreed to invest in community organizations and provide scholarship support for minority students. The MOU also provides for the creation of an Advisory Board to set metrics and timelines for the Company’s commitments under the MOU. Former Mayor Marvin Pratt has agreed to serve as Chairman of the Advisory Board.

“We are excited about the prospect of doing business in Wisconsin,” stated Robert W. Kamerschen, Aaron’s, Inc. Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and President of the Aaron’s Foundation. “We fully recognize that some people aren’t aware of the customer benefits that the lease-to-own transaction provides and as a result may have mixed views of our industry. We’re focused on creating general awareness around the many community benefits offered through the lease-to-own industry, including more jobs and a way for cash constrained customers to own lease and own necessary and quality merchandise for their homes. The lease-to-own agreement is the most affordable and flexible transaction available for those without credit. In our discussions with leaders and policymakers here in Wisconsin – including members of the Black and Latino Caucus in the State Legislature – we learned that it would be critical for Aaron’s to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with the community and to conduct its business in accordance with the highest ethical standards,” Kamerschen stated. “By entering into the MOU – something we understand that no national retailer has done here in Wisconsin – with highly respected civic and business organizations our intention was to demonstrate a commitment to a true partnership with the community,” he said.

One person who can attest to Aaron’s commitment to the Milwaukee community is Vincent Lyles, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee. Last year, Aaron’s made a significant contribution toward the complete renovation of the Don and Sallie Davis Boys and Girls Club in Milwaukee.

Vincent Lyles

“Aaron’s contribution of close to $30,000 enabled us to renovate one of our key club locations here in Milwaukee,” said Lyles. “The fact that Aaron’s was willing to make such a significant investment to help our kids, despite not even having Wisconsin operations at that point, suggests that the Company will be a good community partner should it actually commence operations here” he added.

The donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee is part of a three year, $5 million national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Keystone Program, helping teens develop their character and leadership skills in hopes of helping them reach their potential and creating positive change in the community. Keystone Club teen centers provide members ages 14-18 an environment to plan and participate in activities that focus on community service, academic success, career preparation and teen outreach.

Last month, the Wisconsin Assembly approved legislation that would protect consumers and create regulatory certainty for companies like Aaron’s that are in the lease-to-own industry. The Wisconsin Senate is expected to vote on the proposed legislation on Wednesday, March 20. Should the legislation be approved by the Wisconsin Senate, and signed into law by Governor Walker, it is expected that new players in the lease-to-own industry like Aaron’s will enter the Wisconsin market and provide consumers with an affordable and flexible transaction available for those without credit.

Share:

  • Facebook
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

Popular Interests In This Article: Urban Media

Read More - Related Articles

  • Former President Barack Obama Fires up Democrats at North Division High School
  • Milwaukee County Leaders Proclaim Racism is a Public Health Crisis
  • A Life of Service Brought Full Circle: Earnell Lucas, Candidate for Milwaukee County Sheriff
  • Andy Gronik Wins Fight Against Gov. Scott Walker’s Attack on Milwaukee’s Black Community
  • Will You Make YOUR Voice Heard?
    Will You Make YOUR Voice Heard?

View COVID-19 Resources

Become Our Fan On Facebook
Find Us On Facebook


Follow Us On Twitter
Follow Us On Twitter

Editorials

Lena Taylor
Lakeshia Myers
Rev Jesse Jackson Sr Ashanti Hamilton

Journalists

Mrinal Gokhale
Dylan Deprey
Karen Stokes
Hayley Crandall
Ana Martinez-Ortiz

Topics

Health Care & Wellness
Climate Change
Upcoming Events
Obituaries
Milwaukee NAACP

Politicians

Pres. Barack Obama
Gwen Moore
Tom Barrett
Milele A. Coggs
Spencer Coggs

Classifieds

Job Openings
Bid Requests
Req Proposals
Req Quotations
Apts For Rent

Contact Us

Milwaukee Courier
2003 W. Capitol Dr.
Milwaukee, WI 53206
Ph: 414.449.4860
Fax: 414.906.5383

Copyright © 2023 · Courier Communications | View Privacy Policy | Site built and maintained by Farrell Marketing Technology LLC
We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.