All Rights Reserved. At the same time, his construction partnerships expanded to include residential, educational, commercial, and recreational structures. What Falcons NFC South rivals did in 2023 NFL draft. atlanta city council president ceaser mitchell. 1982: Constructs Georgia-Pacific Headquarters. When history was being made in Atlanta, chances were Russell was present. And dont leave until 6.. New Atlanta's Founding Father' Herman J. Russell dies Herman J. Gerhardt - Pohlman~Varner~Peeler Mortuary Fax: (954) 525-1861, Boxing Legend George Foreman And Actor Khris Davis Share Inspiration Of Big George Foreman Film, Deborah Janes Strange Fruit Film Revisits The Past To Fix The Future In Racial Reconciliation, Former Tesla Executive Explains How Elon Musk Juggles Four Companies And His Time, Jerry Springer Has Died At 79 After Months Of Battling Pancreatic Cancer, Meta Platforms Scrapping Facebook Watch As Jada Pinkett-Smiths Show Sees Its Final Days, Its Time for Blacks to stand up and fight Trump. He built a duplex on the parcel of land he purchased for $125 at age 16 and used his savings to help pay his tuition at Tuskegee University. Hundreds packed Saint Philip AME Church on Candler Road in east Atlanta to say goodbye to Russell, who died Nov. 15 at age 83. But most importantly, they bridged two worlds with a close friendship. Visit the Atlanta Civic Circle, a nonprofit journalism and civic engagement site, which works on community-wide issues and solutions. Through Our Eyes: Panelist seek to encourage surrounding communities and generations after. He built movements.. In 1994 Russells construction businesses were reorganized under H. J. Russell and Company. All rights reserved. However, his beginnings were humble. He was a great citizen, a great business man and a brother. Over the years, the Holders and the Russells became close friends as well as business partners. My sadness is only eclipsed by the great admiration and inspiration that his life had up on my own. 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. Business and civil rights icon Herman J. Russell Sr. was celebrated Saturday not with tears of pain, but through laughter and demonstrations of love for a man whose funeral was closed with the song My Way.. Joseph Lowery said he saw Russell during former President Bill Clintons recent visit to Atlanta before the Nov. 4 election, and that Russell said he was not feeling well. He had a good mind and sharp pencil. "As the founder of one of America's most successful construction and real estate businesses, Mr. Russell shattered countless barriers and created greater opportunities for all, but especially for African-Americans," Mayor Kasim Reed said in a statement. 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. In every phase of Atlanta development from Hartsfield (airport) to the present, he was a major and dominant influence, Young said. 1987: Constructs Wachovia Bank operations center in North Carolina. Im always confused on occasions like this, Young said. He used his savings to help pay his tuition at Tuskegee University. Herman Jerome Russell (December 23, 1930 November 15, 2014) was an entrepreneur and influential figure in Atlanta, Georgia. Herman Russell understood the role of businesspeople in the journey toward social justice., Tweet from state Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta, @Senatorfort, He was not just a businessman and not just a civic leader. Noel Khalil, who also was a proteg, told the story of how Russell hired him. Herman said, Vernon, do not speak all day. 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. Atlanta Celebrates the Incredible Life of Business Legend Herman J. Russell 1945: At 16, buys land in Summerhill for $125. Real estate and property development had always been at the core of the Russell companies, but the unpredictable real estate market created enough concern for the company to look at other areas. Russell Construction Co. 1963: Becomes first African-American member of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. I want to tell you how lucky I was that Herman was in my life, Holder said. Funeral arrangements were not immediately known. (BPRW) 'Building Atlanta: The Story of Herman J. Russell' Documentary Atlanta has lost a socially conscious native son. Bernice A. I salute you sir for a long life-well done: http://t.co/wEOUdzQj65 At the time, Russell talked about how his foundation was going to be a big foundation because a lot of my wealth will go into that foundation once I leave the world. Russell later remarried. He used the n-word and asked, Why cant you shine shoes on your front porch? Thats when I was reborn.. Building Atlanta: The Story of Herman J. Russell was created in coordination with the Russell family by Emmy Award-winning father and son co-directors, David and John Duke of Living Stories Film & Video. 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. There was just no way to go to work at a very early age.. Herman Russell was the only businessman Ive known who could tell you to go to hell in such a way that you looked forward to the trip, Jordan said. People having other things to do., Leon Staffordcovers south metro government, Atlanta parents say trip to state soccer finals marred by racial slurs, Seeing is believing: Stars and styles from tonight's Met Gala, No, a bionic bordello isnt coming to rural Georgia, Braves star Ronald Acua Jr. day to day after exiting game with left shoulder contusion, Mistrial over murder charge for defendant accused in Gwinnett teens death, International cyberhackers disrupt websites of UPS, Hartsfield-Jackson, Spelman students win $1M Goldman Sachs prize, Why Silicon Valley Banks fall still impacts Black Atlanta founders. His father was a plasterer from whom he learned the trade starting at the age of twelve. The letter said. In December 2009 Russells family donated $1 million to expand a new facility of Childrens Healthcare of Atlantaat Hughes Spalding. Former Mayor Shirley Franklin in an interview several years ago called Russell a superb example of the American dream.. Herman Jerome Russell was born to Maggie Googson and Rogers Russell in Atlanta on Dec. 23, 1930. 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 [] Like Atlanta, he started off with a little shoe shine stand, now his company is a major influence in everything happening in the city. He left a lasting legacy that will be remembered for years to come.said Atlanta City Councilmember C.T. As early as the age of 8, Herman J. Russell was inspired to build and own real estate, and to be his own employer. 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. Russell & Company, a local construction firm that helped build many of the city's most important structures, in 1952. As he did, he became a part of Russells family. 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. Herman J. Russell, one of Atlanta's most important business figures, known best for his role in starting one of the country's largest minority-owned companies, passed away this morning following a brief illness at the age of 83. These same principles and values will continue to guide the company into the next 60 years of exceptional service to its clients, genuine commitment to its associates and caring support for the communities in which we live and work. Herman Russell's Biography - The HistoryMakers [6][7] Russell was a 1991 recipient of the Horatio Alger Award, and received the title Georgia Trustee from the Georgia Historical Society in 2013. Back in those days, I faced some tough segregation, Russell said in an interview in March. We are excited to have, for the first time in our filmmaking history, a film that Delta customers will get to see and learn about the amazing life and legacy of Herman J. Russell, one of Atlantas most prolific business leaders who truly helped inspire and shape not only Atlantas skyline, but also helped integrate a multicultural, partnering workforce in our hometown.. And he leaves people searching for the right words to summarize the indelible impact the legendary businessman, philanthropist and civic leader made on the maturation of the city of Atlanta as a power player on the national and international landscape. My world was designed to succeed, Holder said. Herman Jerome Russell was born to Maggie Googson and Rogers Russell in Atlanta on December 23, 1930. Dar'shun Kendrick (@DarshunKendrick) November 15, 2014, The country has lost a GIANT, Herman J. Russell. Returning to Atlanta after college, he worked . One of them looked at me. Documentary 'Building Atlanta,' About Legendary Black Businessman 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. Russell served as the first African American member of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. #titan The entire nation is indebted to Herman J. Russell for the vision of hope and progress he had for Atlanta and the country. He didnt treat us any different than anybody else, Major said. He also was a key member of the Civil Rights movement and broke down barriers for minority entrepreneurs. Details about his funeral arrangements are pending. I learned that Herman was never going to let any obstacle or impediment stop him, and Herman would never let an opportunity pass to make the world a better place, Jordan said. [1][2][3][4][5] He founded H. J. Russell & Company, the largest minority-owned real estate and construction business in the United States. Russell offered him $30,000, Khalil said, with attendees erupting in laughter. Herman did twice, Perry said. 1974: Becomes the co-chairman of the finance committee to elect Maynard Jackson. 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. One of the most emotional moments of the celebration was when Jerome Russell spoke of how his father taught them about unconditional love whether it was how he felt about his siblings, his late wife Otelia, his current widow Sylvia, his children , grandchildren and friends. He inspired many with words of wisdom, and assisted financially local and national political leaders, and office seekers. Today, our city lost one of the best men it has ever produced. "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. Herman J. Russell: 2013 Georgia Trustee Russell loved sharing his inspirational life story with others and frequently regaled listeners with account of how he overcame racism, poverty, and a debilitating speech impediment to become one of the most successful African American entrepreneurs, and unsung heroes of the civil rights movement. Egbert Perry viewed Russell as his second father. H.J. 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. And at the last meeting in our conference room, I proposed to name the joint venture: Holder-Russell. His brilliance is reflected across Atlantas skyline and throughout communities across the country. 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. [], These panelists took their time to share their own real life experiences and opinions about the issues faced in todays society. He was 83. Martin. Russell & Co., family and friends such as baseball legend Hank Aaron, and political and civic heavyweights, including U.S. Rep. John Lewis and Martin Luther King III.
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