Building Atlanta: The Story of Herman J. Russell Documentary to be featured by Delta Air Lines Starting in Black History Month []. Herman J. Russell (l) at a book party with Mayor Kasim Reed. He was willing to sacrifice for the good of the community, Lowery said. Atlanta's Founding Father' Herman J. Russell Dies He made his transition in a peaceful way, said his son, Michael, who serves as CEO of his fathers firm. Egbert Perry viewed Russell as his second father. He inspired many with words of wisdom, and assisted financially local and national political leaders, and office seekers. But he invested most of his time and energy in his hometown. The companys leadership was shifting too, placing his capable children H. Jerome, Michael and Donata to significant leadership positions as H. J. Russell announced his retirement was imminent. Russell's role model was his grandfather, who helped foster and nurture his entrepreneurial spirit. Nathan Deal, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, of which Russell was a former leader, preceded dozens of quotes in tribute. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Herman Russell had a major impact on many of us, and he lived a great life.. Black developer Herman J. Russell documentary now available on Delta Herman J. Russell (1930- ) - BlackPast.org A 1990 graduate of N.C. Central University and a 2009 Harvard University Nieman Fellow, he is also the former vice president of the National Association of Black Journalists. Perry said you judge a generation by the generation that follows it. 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 [] Preceded in death by husband, Edmund. It caused a lot of people to underestimate him. He bought his first piece of land at 16 years old," Michael B. Russell said about his father. I was an obnoxious, over-educated, arrogant, illegal immigrant.. Funeral arrangements were not immediately known. Jordan, who the sounding board for presidents and power brokers, said Russell had other talents. Along the way, he broke virtually every racial and economic barrier. J. Russell was a man of means but his conscience and his values were always greater than his wealth, Jesse Jackson, Sr. remarked last weekend via Twitter. Rep. Hank Johnson (@RepHankJohnson) November 15, 2014, Herman Russell understood the role of businesspeople in the journey toward social justice. To support the movement for equality and civil rights, he discretely financed the civil rights crusade, bonded outdemonstrators and provided funding for political campaigns thathelped pass landmark legislation to transform American society and race relations. His father was a plasterer from whom he learned the trade starting at the age of twelve. 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. Copyright 2023. In addition, his company continues to manage concessions at several American airports, including services at Hartsfield-Jackson. I remember watching my father on the side of the bed on his knees and pray, Donata Major said. Russell, chairman/CEO of H. J. Russell & Co., was born on December 23, 1930, in Atlanta, one of seven childrenof Maggie and Rogers Russell. In every phase of Atlanta development from Hartsfield to the present, he was a major and dominant influence. 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. Herman Russell was a remarkable gentleman and I greatly appreciate the work he did in District 10. 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. Even though H.J. never learned how to pronounce his first name, Russell taught him essential lessons of business and life. The Great Depression was a challenging time for most Americans, but particularly for a young African-American boy who was born in 1930 in the segregated South. Herman J. Gerhardt, Sr., 83, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2019, at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell. 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. He is one of the heroes of Atlantas story, a real life legend to now aspire to. Atlanta City Councilmember Michael Julian Bond. If you lose any money, its your ass. At that time, the construction company had revenues of $12 million a year. They all, in one way or another, bare the DNA of late, great business impresario Herman J. Russell. During this time, the company reported annual sales estimated at $150 million, with project offices in several cities from Miami, Florida, to New York City. I have seen H.J. 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. King, chief executive officer of The King Center, stated, It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the King Center acknowledges the passing of one of Atlantas extraordinary civic leaders and entrepreneurs, Mr. Herman J. Russell. [1] Russell's autobiography Building Atlanta was published in April 2014, shortly before his death. Russell would later assist with inaugural funding of The King Center, as well as a myriad of other Atlanta institutions. 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. H.J. [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 was a tower of strength who used his sharp mind and business know-how to become a major player in Atlantas business community. New Atlanta's Founding Father' Herman J. Russell dies The trust, confidence, and lasting friendships he established enabled a new generation of Black entrepreneurs to move into the mainstream. Herman Russell known city- , state- and nationwide for his formidable business knowledge and acumen has received many plaudits since his passing on Nov. 15. Office: (954) 525-1489 Under the leadership of the Russell siblings, the first decade of the new millennium started with a bang. Herman Jerome Russell was born to Maggie Googson and Rogers Russell in Atlanta on Dec. 23, 1930. When she stayed with him about a month ago for a few days, he still made an extra effort to pray by his bedside every night. atlanta city council president ceaser mitchell. He bought his first parcel of land for $125 at age sixteen, later building a duplex on the property. (BPRW) 'Building Atlanta: The Story of Herman J. Russell' Documentary Russell bought his first piece of land when he was 16 for $125. Four months after he joined H.J. 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. Two years later, Jerome donated one of his kidneys to his brother. 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. The documentary originally aired in February 2020 on ATL PBA. Half-sister of Herman Russell's children wants share of his estate They met 40 years later on the business field, and they developed one of the most successful joint venture relationships in Atlanta history. He, along with Atlanta University student leaders Julian Bond, Charlayne (Hunter) Gault, Charles Black, Lonnie King, Jr., Johnny Parham, Marian Wright and local businessman Jesse Hill, Jr., Dr. Clinton E. Warner, Gladys Powell, Hilda Wilson and others, Russell founded, in 1960, The Atlanta Inquirer, a member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) the Black Press of America during the height of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.-led Civil Rights Movement. He didnt just build buildings. Russell Co. and the other family interests to his children. The program described his achievements as an entrepreneur, his love of family and of friends. The Great Depression heavily influenced company founder, Herman J. Russell (1930-2014). However, his beginnings were humble. He is one of the best men our city has ever produced, said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. Today, our city lost one of the best men it has ever produced. His role model was his father who owned his own plastering business. ATLANTA, GA (NNPA) - 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 the '50s - made transition, on Delta is bringing the film onboard as part of all new content on Delta Studio, its in-flight entertainment platform, beginning this month. Updated Nov 17, 2014, 3:50pm EST. Not only did the firm receive company and leadership awards and recognitions by various organizations and institutions in Atlanta, the companys Project Management division set up offices in Birmingham, AL and expanded its headquarters to more than 42,000 square feet in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood of Atlanta. I want to think the Russell children for sharing your father with me, Khalil said. Since 2008, she has written a weekly column and news stories for theAtlanta Business Chronicle. He used his talents and experience and hard work to have one of the most successful businesses and African-American businesses in the city and the country, she said. Like Atlanta, he started off with a little shoe shine stand, now his company is a major influence in everything happening in the city. When will I get my Georgia tax rebate for 2023? 545 N.W. Michael Russell continues to run his father's company, along with his two siblings, Jerome and Donata. Returning to Atlanta after college, he worked . Over the next fifty years, he continued to build businesses, amassing one of the nations and the worlds most profitable minority-owned conglomerates. Russell was an extraordinary visionary, a dynamic leader and a philanthropist who uplifted and mentored so many. Courtney English (@CourtneyEnglish) November 15, 2014, #ATL is forever indebted to #HJRussell-he helped transform our skyline & worked tirelessly 2 make our city better - he will truly be missed. Before attending David T. Howard High School, Russell worked for his father who was a plasterer. When will I get my Georgia tax rebate for 2023? 1994: Constructs Turner Field/Centennial Olympic Stadium. We should pray to have even a fraction of the impact he had on the lives of others!. But Russell saw him going to his car and asked him where he was going. Soon, Russell branched out from construction and property management businesses by adding communications, concessions, and sports franchises to his portfolio. Russell is survived by his wife, Sylvia, sons H. Jerome and Michael Russell, daughter Donata Russell Major, two stepsons and eight grandchildren. Russell is also survived by his wife, Sylvia, two stepsons, and eight grandchildren. The lawyers drew up a joint-venture agreement that was about two inches thick. Martin Luther King is more alive in our lives today than he was 45 years ago.. When are the 2023 college graduation ceremonies in Georgia? New Atlanta's Founding Father, Herman J. Russell, dies He had a good mind and sharp pencil. 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. I want to tell you how lucky I was that Herman was in my life, Holder said. Herman Russell's Biography - The HistoryMakers Would he pick it up or let it sit there at the bottom of the bowl? Once, when he was working for the elder Russell, he had finished his work and was in the parking lot getting ready to leave. He recalled working for Russell for a couple of years, and at 4:30 p.m. one afternoon, after finishing his work, he packed up and headed to car to go home. When Jordan heard Russell was ill a couple of months ago, he called him when he knew he would be alone. Thats how Khalil became a developer and entrepreneur. 1986: Constructs Atlanta Gas Light Headquarters. Herman J. Gerhardt - Pohlman~Varner~Peeler Mortuary 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. Staff writers Katie Leslie and Eric Stirgus contributed to this report. Column: Five Georgia nonprofits rank among nations top 25, Georgia State gets transformational $22.8 million Woodruff Foundation gift. 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. Through working with his father and watching how he ran his plastering business, he felt the urgency and necessity to create jobs during the difficult economic times, and that is when his entrepreneurial spirit was born, which lasted throughout his life until his passing in 2014. A few years later, government programs designed to spur residential construction, particularly in the South, provided the opportunities that made H. J. Russell & Company one of the largest builders of HUD affordable housing. 1968: Is awarded HUD housing contracts in the Southeast and the Equitable Building. 1989: Constructs Grady High School addition. A priceless photo shows Russell in his living room with Ralph David Abernathy, Martin Luther King Jr. and Andrew Young in the early 1960s, creating strategy for the civil rights movement. Russell offered him $30,000, Khalil said, with attendees erupting in laughter. Soon, he started a shoe-shining business and sold Coca-Colas. Back in those days, I faced some tough segregation, Russell said in an interview in March. Building Wealth While Black: How Atlanta Fueled a Family Fortune I will always remember with fondness the times that I spent in his family home playing with his children. He was a great citizen, a great business man and a brother. Herman J. Russell - Wikipedia Thinking of her father, Donata Russell abbreviated her comments saying he wouldnt want people to spend their whole day at the church because they have lots of things to do. King Jr., Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, Vernon Jordan and Jesse Hill. Martin. Continue to construct great buildings in heaven., Tweet from state Rep. Darshun Kendrick, D-Lithonia, @DarshunKendrick, The country has lost a GIANT, Herman J. Russell. While prestigious construction jobs remained at the heart of their activities, diversification was critical to its stability. When history was being made in Atlanta, chances were Russell was present. [9], "Herman J. Russell built legacy in Atlanta", "International Civil Rights: Walk of Fame Herman J. Russell", "Atlanta business icon Herman J. Russell has died", "Herman Jerome Russel (1930- ), Business Mogul, Community Leader, Philanthropist", "BUILDING ATLANTA by Herman J. Russell , Bob Andelman", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Herman_J._Russell&oldid=1114763061, This page was last edited on 8 October 2022, at 04:13.
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