Herman Russell had a major impact on many of. Andrew Young, a former Atlanta mayor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, echoed Reeds sentiments when he said, [Russell] was one of the giants of our time. The Great Depression heavily influenced company founder, Herman J. Russell (1930-2014).
PDF citycouncil.columbiasc.gov 1972: Becomes 10 percent owner of Atlanta Hawks basketball and Atlanta Flames hockey teams, the first African-American to have ownership in a major sports franchise. Ironically, the decision was to locate the Olympic stadium in the Summerhill neighborhood in Southeast Atlanta, the very same neighborhood in which H. J. Russell had grown up. All Rights Reserved. In every phase of Atlanta development from Hartsfield to the present, he was a major and dominant influence. The program described his achievements as an entrepreneur, his love of family and of friends. Herman "Russ" Russell III said his grandfather urged them all to "stay focused" and "be upbeat." Once he asked his elder what made. The world is immeasurably better because of Herman J. Russell, said Atlanta City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell Im always confused on occasions like this, Young said. Perry lost the bet believing Russell wouldnt dig in the commode for simply a penny. Copyright 2023. Martin Luther King is more alive in our lives today than he was 45 years ago.. 1989: Constructs Delta Flight Operations Center. Among the dignitaries who were present Saturday included: Congressman John Lewis, Congressman Hank Johnson, Congressman David Scott, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Morehouse College President John Wilson, Clark Atlanta President Carlton Brown, public relations/marketing entrepreneur Kent Matlock, retired Citizens Trust director Johnnie Clark, Martin Luther King III, Bernice King, Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell, Maynard Buzzy Jackson III and his wife Wendy, Dr. Louis Sullivan, WXIAs Brenda Wood, environmentalists Laura Turner Seydel and Rutherford Seydel, fundraiser Ann Curry, former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, Coca-Colas Lisa Borders, chair of Habitat for Humanity International board Renee Glover, Dr. David Satcher, Atlanta City Council persons Kwanza Hall and Andrew Dickens, Atlanta Business Leagues Leona Barr Davenport, 2015 Nobel Peace Prize Summit CEO and COO respectively Mohammad Bhuiyan and Shamima Amin, Atlanta Lifes Bill Taggart, former Clayton Chair Eldrin Bell, contract compliance leader Rodney Strong, behind the scenes power-broker Eugene Duffy, retired Coca-Cola executive Ingrid Saunders Jones, photographer Sue Ross, political observer and businessman Dan Halpern, former Russell general counsel Joia Johnson, Andrea Young Thomas and her husband Jerry Thomas, architects George and Laura Heery as well as countless others. There was a campaign for class president and vice president, and Herman Russell was talking at an outdoor assembly. Sources: H.J. The brilliant construction and real estate magnate passed away at age 83 much like he lived quietly, and leaving behind an enviable legacy and vast business portfolio that spellbinds his contemporaries and legions of admirers alike. Russell, a lifelong Atlantan who counted among his friends several presidents and the Rev. Herman Jerome was put in charge of the companys development arm. The film includes interviews with notable people from Atlanta who knew Russell and . Herman said, If you give me 1 percent more of the profit, you can take my name off of it altogether.. The entire nation is indebted to Herman J. Russell for the vision of hope and progress he had for Atlanta and the country. It melted my heart.. In 2015 Joycelyn Darby Alston, a resident of New York, claimed that she, too, was among Russell's progeny, a product of a brief relationship between Russell and her mother, an Atlanta native. Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., helped shape the citys skyline and wielded influence far beyond his hometown. Among his recognition awards are induction into the Junior Achievement Atlanta Business Hall of Fame in 1992, and recipient of the Horatio Alger Award in 1991. However, to me, he was my true brother in Christ and I shall never forget our decades-old friendship and what he meant to me, my family, the city of Atlanta, the nation and the world. Russell, chairman/CEO of H. J. Russell & Co., was born on December 23, 1930, in Atlanta, one of seven childrenof Maggie and Rogers Russell. He was the first black member of what was then called the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the second African-American to serve as its president. 7th Terrace,
David Hughes Duke and John Duke of Living Stories Video & Film are Emmy Award-winning filmmakers and natives of Atlanta. The lawyers drew up a joint-venture agreement that was about two inches thick. Atlanta construction executive Herman Russell is a civic leader and philanthropist whose construction company ranks as the fourth largest in the U.S. ATLANTA - As the founder and former CEO of HJ Russell and Company, Herman J. Russell built one of the United States' leading black owned construction, real estate and concessions empires, before his death in 2014. Perry said you judge a generation by the generation that follows it. Details about his funeral arrangements are pending. He bought his first piece of land at 16 years old," Michael B. Russell said about his father. Russell, testified Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed without a hint of hyperbole or overstatement. There was no one as cheap as H.J., Egbert Perry, a business protege, said to great laughter and nods from attendees at the Saturday funeral. Young, who began is professional life as preacher, said the Bible tells us that the spirit of God is within us. Noel Khalil, who worked with and was mentored by Russell, said when Russell offered him a job, he asked Khalil how much he was making. However, his beginnings were humble. By the time of his retirement in 1997, Russell had . The letter said. Few men have done more to make Atlanta a place where people of all races and backgrounds can bring and build their dreams.". However, his beginnings were humble. Russell & Company, a local construction firm that helped build many of the city's most important structures, in 1952. Because jobs were scarce, at the age of 8, he decided to become his own boss and create his own jobs (neighborhood handyman, newspaper deliverer) and continued in that entrepreneurial mindset his entire life. Photo credit: Courtesy Herman J. Russell family. That entrepreneurial spirit was passed on through his legacy to his children and grandchildren. He grew up on a farm near Victoria and graduated from Victoria High School. Building Atlanta: The Story of Herman J. Russell will be airing on Delta Studio until May 31, 2021 and will be featured within the airlines Must See Documentaries spotlight collection. His tremendous works can be found amongst the Atlanta skyline, the businesses he created, but most of all and the beautiful family that he raised. Vernon Jordan, activist and political adviser to heads of state such as President Bill Clinton, said Russell was one of the first people he saw in his hospital room after an attempt was made on Jordans life in 1980 in Fort Wayne, Ind. Herman had to make a speech, Jordan said, and his speech impediment made Russell difficult to understand. "H.J. He was not just a local businessman, but a visionary and one of the men who built Atlanta as we know it today. When I was 14, I went in front of the Atlanta City Council (known then as the Board of Aldermen) to ask for the rezoning of a lot that the city owned so I could expand my business. It includes public projects such as the Georgia Dome, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Philips Arena, and Turner Field. Herman J. Russell, who founded Atlanta-based H. J. Russell & Company in 1952 and Concessions International, LLC, in 1979, is known for helping to build the Atlanta skyline as it's seen today as well as for shaping the airport dining experience for travelers throughout the country and the U. S. Virgin Islands. Throughout the decades of enormous success, Mr. Russell continued to give back to the community that nurtured his business pursuits. Building Atlanta: The Story of Herman J. Russell Documentary to be featured by Delta Air Lines Starting in Black History Month I loved him and he will be missed.. And we have cried together..
When history was being made in Atlanta, chances were Russell was present. [8], Herman J. Russell died on November 15, 2014, at the age of 83, in Atlanta Georgia and was buried at South-View Cemetery. But Holder did give Russell an interview holding a business conference with a black person for the first time in his life and believed that Russell wanted a chance to prove himself. With this responsibility, Herman gave me two conflicting pieces of advice, Jordan said. They are the parents of two sons and a daughter, who are executives with H. J. Russell Co.
Herman Russell passed away on November 15, 2014, at the age of 83. Russell & Company in 2003, at which point his son, Michael, succeeded him in running the business. H.J. As Atlanta natives, we pride ourselves on telling stories of some of the most consequential figures in our citys and states history through film, and it was particularly rewarding to be able to create a documentary about an Atlanta icon who quietly and fearlessly did so much to help create the Atlanta we know today, said co-director, David Duke of Living Stories Film & Video. Herman Russell known city- , state- and nationwide for his formidable business knowledge and acumen has received many plaudits since his passing on Nov. 15. Several of his grandchildren participated in the service.
Geraldine J. Stolle Obituary | Star Tribune What do the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Georgia Dome, Turner Field, Phillips Arena, the downtown Atlanta skyline, the administration of the iconic Mayor Maynard Jackson and the Civil Rights Movement all have in common? By John B. Smith, Sr. Special to the NNPA from The Atlanta Inquirer ATLANTA - Herman J. Russell, the native Atlantan born in 1931 from humble beginnings in the Summerhill community who ultimately grew to become founder of the nation's most influential African-American construction and property management company in southwest Atlanta, from a plastering business in [] He also made money available for bail bonds during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, and was a heavy donor to King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Young said. And he was just a sophomore in high school a mere infant in the business world when he exemplified the level of business acumen that would turn him into a superstar in adulthood. As he did, he became a part of Russells family. Westside Gazette Newspaper
But I didnt want to make assumptions about putting our name first. His company helped erect much of the city's skyline such as Coca-Cola's headquarters, 191 Peachtree Tower, Atlanta City Hall, and the Georgia-Pacific building, among others. Tags: Ambassador Andrew Young, atlanta city council president ceaser mitchell, civil rights movement, Congressman John Lewis, Herman J. Russell, Mayor Kasim Reed. I feel the mist of the River Jordan, and Im ready to cross over, Russell answered. Herman Jerome Russell was born to Maggie Googson and Rogers Russell in Atlanta on Dec. 23, 1930. "I feel that my grandfather was influenced by Booker T. Washington, and what he talked about in controlling your destiny, by taking a passion or a trade and turning it into an economic opportunity," Jerome Russell shared. We should pray to have even a fraction of the impact he had on the lives of others!. Martin Luther King, Jr. Russell has served also as a board member for civic organizations like the Allen Temple; Butler Street YMCA; Central Atlanta Progress; Tuskegee University; the NAACP Atlanta chapter; Citizens Trust Bank; Midtown Improvement District and the Georgia State University Advisory Board. This was the decade that began with a grand announcement that Atlanta would be the site of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. Tweet from DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May, @LeeMay. Herman J. Russell West End Academy | Building an inclusive and diverse community Belt line for a. Atlanta, GA 30310 He made his transition in a peaceful way, said his son, Michael, who serves as CEO of his fathers firm. Michael Russell spoke of how honored he felt to be carrying on the role of running his fathers company. Here is a 60-second trailer of the film. He used the n-word and asked, Why cant you shine shoes on your front porch? Thats when I was reborn.. Hala Moddelmog (@HalaModdelmog) November 16, 2014, Thoughts & prayers go out to the Russell family. 2023 CREATIVE LOAFING, LLC. Their other films include Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr.: A Different Road, The Wise Heart: The Story of Emory University, One Law for All: The Story of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, and The Story of Hope and Will: Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta. For more about Living Stories, visit livingstories.tv. November 20, 2014 "He was elated and proud of the fact that he was able to share his legacy with others and, most importantly, his grandchildren. On your next Delta Air Lines flight, if equipped with seatback in-flight entertainment, youll have the opportunity to view Building Atlanta: The Story of Herman J. Russell, a documentary film about the inspiring life and legacy of Atlanta businessman and founder of one of the countrys largest Black-owned commercial real estate development and construction firms, H. J. Russell & Company. 1938: Starts first business shining shoes. Herman Russell helped to make real the legacy of a city too busy to hate.. 1945: At 16, buys land in Summerhill for $125. The death Saturday of Atlanta business pioneer and philanthrophist Herman J. Russell brought a swell of reaction on social media and other channels. One of them looked at me. H.J. We know hes at rest., He continued, He was elated and proud of the fact that he was able to share his legacy with others and, most importantly, his grandchildren. Herman J. Russell, who founded Atlanta-based H. J. Russell & Company in 1952 and Concessions International, LLC, in 1979, is known for helping to build the Atlanta skyline as its seen today as well as for shaping the airport dining experience for travelers throughout the country and the U. S. Virgin Islands. No tribute to Russell would be complete without a word from a mainstay of the Civil Rights era, where Russell worked behind-the-scenes to secure and provide financial support for its mission. 545 N.W. Maria was born in Atlanta to European parents and has two youngadult children. It was in the 1980s and Khalil, who was in the real estate business in north metro Atlanta, was making between $60,000 to $75,000 a year, a sizable income at the time. Would he pick it up or let it sit there at the bottom of the bowl? The couple eventually had three children: Donata, H. Jerome, and Michael.
During this period Russell owned several construction and real estate companies, among them H. J. Russell and Company, H. J. Russell Construction Company, H. J. Russell Plastering Company, Paradise Management Inc., DDR International, and Southeast Land Development Company. 2023 The HistoryMakers. He most notably founded H.J. He has seen me cry. Lee May (@LeeMay) November 15, 2014. My world was designed to succeed, Holder said. Khalil said he took the job even going back to ask for $250 more a month so he could make his car payments because he knew he would learn and eventually earn much more than he was giving up under Russells tutelage. Herman was not just a great man. He was 83. But he invested most of his time and energy in his hometown. Senator Vincent Fort (@Senatorfort) November 15, 2014, R. I.P. He was elated and proud of the fact that he was able to share his legacy with others and, most importantly, his grandchildren. When he saw his father on Tuesday and told him that his youngest child would be turning 50 in a few months, Russell was proud. We waded through all of that. The previous decades introduction of the requirement of including minority-owned subcontractors with companies seeking city contracts resulted in a new decade of continued growth and the recognition of the visionary leadership of Herman J. Russell in Atlanta and beyond. Herman J. Gerhardt, Sr., 83, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2019, at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell. If you lose any money, its your ass. At that time, the construction company had revenues of $12 million a year. He was 83. Turnout was so large that the church directed traffic to two overflow parking lots to handle the crowds that kept coming even after services had begun. A multi-faceted organization providing integrated solutions and an exceptional customer experience, Russell has developed, designed/built, renovated, and managed some of the nations most complex, high profile projects involving multiple stakeholders and requiring exceptional diplomacy and skill, including the Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the HHRM JV and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture with Clark Construction and Smoot Construction. The firm is a partner in the joint venture selected to build the new $1 billion Atlanta Falcons stadium, scheduled to open in 2017. Russell, chairman/CEO of H. J. Russell & Co., was born on December 23, 1930, in Atlanta, one of seven children of Maggie and Rogers Russell. Bernice A. He was working for a residential developer at the time. Dar'shun Kendrick (@DarshunKendrick) November 15, 2014, The country has lost a GIANT, Herman J. Russell. But instead of naming his elder son and namesake as CEO as expected, he chose his youngest son, Michael. The firm has landed several key projects, and the patriarch decided to semi-retire. However, before doing so, H. J. developed the ambitious,mixed-use $300 million development in Castleberry Hill. The Russell empire also includes Concessions International, a hospitality company that operates the famed Paschals Restaurant in Castleberry Hill and restaurants in airports across the country, including Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International. He bought his first parcel of land for $125 at age sixteen, later building a duplex on the property. Such a move could have destroyed other families and made for an awkward relationship among siblings, but Herman Russell executed a smooth transition.
Herman J. Gerhardt - Pohlman~Varner~Peeler Mortuary Today, the Atlanta-based H. J. Russell and Company is a nationally recognized leader in the construction and real estate development industry, as well as the single largest Minority Business Enterprise real estate firm in the United States. But he was sharp as a tack.. There was just no way to go to work at a very early age.. Herman J. Russell nurtured his children, H. Jerome, Donata, and Michael, to carry on his vision: stay focused, be committed, continue to develop expertise, and remain on the cutting edge with the best technology and human talent to meet the changing needs of both business and society. What surprised me the most was that Herman was speaking at all, Jordan said because of Russells speech impediment. Not satisfied with Majors answer, Russell told him: Go back inside and find something to do. Herman Russell had a major impact on many of us, and he lived a great life.. #gapol #gadems He helped get them elected., His speech impediment was an asset, Egbert Perry, a protege of Russells and now CEO of development firm The Integral Group, once told the AJC. He was a great citizen, a great business man and a brother. In addition, his company continues to manage concessions at several American airports, including services at Hartsfield-Jackson. Michael Russell continues to run his father's company, along with his two siblings, Jerome and Donata. Two boysJerome and Michaelfollowed. Family, friends and colleagues from former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young and fellow construction giant Robert Holder to Russells children and grandchildren remembered a leader who had a deft sense of humor, favored a strong work ethic and could pinch a penny until it bled. People have other things to do. The nearly hour-long film features interviews with notable Atlantans who knew Herman J. Russell well. He built movements.. It also was Russell who wrote checks to pay the bail of students arrested after sit-ins at lunch counters in the South during the civil rights movement, said Jordan. For Michael Russell Jr., he said he would remember the passion of his grandfather and how he understood a tight-knit family is rare.. U.S. Rep. John Lewis [D-Ga.] said, Herman J. Russell was one of the founding fathers of the new Atlanta. Russell & Co. 2003: Grady Hospital Cancer Center of Excellence project. Russell left his mark on our citys skyline as one of the builders and developers who constructed some of our regions iconic structures," Fulton County Chairman John Eaves said in a statement. Perry joked about the time he and a colleague dropped a penny in the toilet of Russells private bathroom just to see if the business tycoon would fish it out.
(BPRW) 'Building Atlanta: The Story of Herman J. Russell' Documentary Hundreds packed Saint Philip AME Church on Candler Road in east Atlanta to say goodbye to Russell, who died Nov. 15 at age 83. "His life inspires us to continue to strive to help others and be the best we can be.. Lastly, she thanked Sylvia for being there in his sunset years and providing the rock that he needed.. Russell served as the first African American member of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. I loved him and he will be missed., Civil rights icon The Rev. He was willing to sacrifice for the good of the community, Lowery said. In addition to amazing people with his prodigious business exploits, many people were astounded by the remarkable humility and sense of humanity that belied the good natured disposition, which is too often uncharacteristic of those who have achieved Russells level of incredible success and fortune. Russell & Co., Hoovers Company Profiles, Whos Who Among African Americans (14th ED), Staff Research. We will celebrate his life and learn from his example.