Henry Ingram’s name rings out in Augusta, even for those who may not recognize it. Anyone who has ever gotten a tuxedo for the prom or had a suit pressed for a business conference from International Formal Wear on Wrightsboro Road; watched James Brown in any number of outfits maintained by the same; or been to a football game held by the sports nonprofit Augusta City Classic has seen and enjoyed his labor.
“It used to be that when a child was born the doctor would pat him on the behind and the baby would cry,” said Ingram, who was actually born in Barnwell, S.C. but raised in the Garden City. “When the doctor patted me on my behind, I said ‘Augusta!’ And I’ve been here ever since.”
Alongside having operated International Formal Wear since 1974 and being the president of the Augusta City Classic, he was also the first minority appointed to the Augusta Aviation Commission. He’s been the vice chair of both the Augusta Coliseum Authority and the Housing Authority, and has been the chairman of the Augusta Economic Development Authority, of which he’s still a member.
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Ingram’s list of achievements is paralleled by the breadth and depth of his connections in the community. Moreover, as Ingram would explain it, one weaves into the other.
“Everything is about relationships,” he said. “Here at the Development Authority, when our president goes and talks to consultants and what have you, those relationships have already been cultivated. So when it’s time to actually execute, you don’t have to go fumbling around where you need to go. You already know where to go.”
Ingram’s tenure with the Development Authority saw significant expansions and initiatives, the recruitment of Starbucks, leading to the arrival of the Starbucks Soluble Plant; the creation of the Augusta City Classic, which became the city’s largest minority event; and further partnerships with the school board. He chaired the opening of the Memorial Stadium at his alma mater, Lucy Craft Laney High School.
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He has maintained relationships with Augusta’s commissioners, Georgia’s legislators and governors, including Gov. Brian Kemp, for years. Ingram ascribes the wide reach of his influence to his “body of work,” decades of using his reputation to nurturing acquaintances, interactions and affiliations borne by opportunities. A positive record gets recognized, which leads to earning more trust, more opportunities opening up, which then leads to more achievements, and so on in an exponential, virtuous cycle.
“Those things just happen,” said Ingram. “In no way do I go seek those things. The influence is a byproduct of the work and history of serving on boards and helping others. It’s just what happens when you allow in create a scenario where you’re willing to and committed to serve”
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Ingram has managed to do all this over the years and will still running his formal wear business, which he traces back to his having worked at Ruben’s Department Store from eighth grade through his time at Augusta College, handling the formalwear and tuxedos.
“While I was there, I was reputed to be the top salesman on Broad Street as young teenager,” said Ingram. “So it was natural for me to migrate into the formalwear business, and I’ve been in it for 44 years.”
One of the most significant connections Ingram has maintained, he says, was with Milton Ruben, whom he calls his mentor.
“Integrity is something which you do when nobody’s looking, and Milton was probably the epitome of integrity,” said Ingram. “To have someone like Milton Ruben to take a young kid under his wings and kind of shepherd me through the maze of learning business itself, that has translated into something extremely significant for me.”
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Ingram calls himself a “unifier,” a conservative Democrat willing to speak with and listen to anyone in front of him if it benefits his city. His devotion for the city is expressed in his continued efforts, such as his chairing the election campaign for mayoral candidate Steven Kendrick and his fervent support of Augusta University, where he is a foundation trustee, and its president, Brooks Keel.
“I cherish my relationship with Dr. Keel,” he said. “I’m a graduate of Augusta College, so it’s a situation where the university is as important to me as anything that I do.”
As Ingram continues his work, whether it’s building more relationships as an influencer or helping a customer find the right tux, he stays undergirded by an overarching aim to push his hometown to its highest prospects.
“I love this city,” he said. “My philosophy has always been that if you’re blessed, you need to be a blessing to somebody else. Augusta, in my mind, was always a city that was always lingering. I wanted to be one of the individuals who actually achieve to reach that potential.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering education in Columbia County and business-related topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
