He inspired many with words of wisdom, and assisted financially local and national political leaders, and office seekers. Several of his grandchildren participated in the service. "When history catches its breath, Mr. Russell's life work will place him among the most significant heroes of the Civil Rights Movement because of his unwavering contributions and commitment to the progress of this city and nation. 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. Hermans drive, tenacity and vision carry on throughout the company today. Lastly, she thanked Sylvia for being there in his sunset years and providing the rock that he needed.. His grandfather caught up with him, gave him a stern look and Russell Jr. knew he was in trouble. Because of these dizzying exploits and success, the tributes continue to pour in for Russell, who will be laid to rest this week. Updated Nov 17, 2014, 3:50pm EST. Russell & Co. 2003: Grady Hospital Cancer Center of Excellence project. 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. But Russell saw him going to his car and asked him where he was going. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Atlanta man discovers way for drivers to legally escape parking lot boots without paying fine, Marine veteran in his 80s held at gunpoint during home invasion: 'I wasn't afraid of him', Atlanta studio already feeling pain from possible Hollywood writers' strike, Legendary folk singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot dies at 84, Morehouse offers to open primary care facility on Atlanta's southside to fill gap from Wellstar closures. 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. Russell's other interests are in airport concessions. Russell & Company is currently involved with the construction of the $1.3 billion Atlanta Falcons stadium development. 1968: Is awarded HUD housing contracts in the Southeast and the Equitable Building. Visit the Atlanta Civic Circle, a nonprofit journalism and civic engagement site, which works on community-wide issues and solutions. In 2006, Otelia Hackney Russell, his wife of 50 years, died. 1980: Becomes president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and is awarded the contract for the Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport's main terminal complex. The two men who built Deltas headquarters grew up two miles and two worlds apart in segregated Atlanta and came together through business opportunities to do great things to uplift our city and country.. One of the funniest stories was about a bet Perry made with Russells executive assistant about intentionally dropping a penny in Russells toilet at the office. Russell Company headquarters, Photo - Herman Russell during construction of his duplex, 1947, Occupation(s): Hermans spirit permeated the community. Founded in 1952, H. J. Russell & Company is one of the largest minority-owned construction services and real estate development firms in the United States. In 1963, Russell became the first black member, and later president, of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. 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. Russell, chairman/CEO of H. J. Russell & Co., was born on December 23, 1930, in Atlanta, one of seven childrenof Maggie and Rogers Russell. 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. Some of Russells better-known projects include numerous Atlanta landmarks, among them the Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Philips Arena, Turner Field, the Georgia Dome as well as the construction of the new trillion-dollar Falcons stadium. 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. Russell was the founder and retired CEO of H.J . He was a great citizen, a great businessman and a brother. I got nervous in front of all the white aldermen. 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. Two years later, Jerome donated one of his kidneys to his brother. His role model was his father who owned his own plastering business. Russell never really stopped working, staying involved as chairman of his companies and in Castleberry Hill where his businesses were based. What Falcons NFC South rivals did in 2023 NFL draft. Russell, testified Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed without a hint of hyperbole or overstatement. He was one of the reasons that Atlanta is the great http://t.co/xCQp0HVmsL As a son, Im honored to carry on the family business and community activities my father started with my brother Jerome and sister Donata," current H.J. Young, who began is professional life as preacher, said the Bible tells us that the spirit of God is within us. But he was sharp as a tack.. But he invested most of his time and energy in his hometown. 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. At the same time, his construction partnerships expanded to include residential, educational, commercial, and recreational structures. Grandson H. Jerome Russell Jr. said his grandfather didnt play favorites with employees. 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. 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. Details about his funeral arrangements are pending. He was not just an example of self-made success, but a demonstration of a life well lived. For Michael Russell Jr., he said he would remember the passion of his grandfather and how he understood a tight-knit family is rare.. Go run the company, Russell told him. Funeral arrangements were not immediately known. The letter said. 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.. 545 N.W. Man, overflow was overflowed, said one attendee, to which another replied, I can believe it, he was a pioneer.. 1938: Starts first business shining shoes. Our association became a kaleidoscope of beautiful colors that included our wives and children integrating with each other. Herman J. Russell, an entrepreneur and philanthropist who turned a small plastering firm into one of the nation's most successful African-American-owned real estate development and construction companies, died Saturday. Russells grandchildren also spoke, remembering the lessons he taught them about hard work and how he demonstrated so much passion in everything he did that he made shredding paper even seem exciting. Perry said you judge a generation by the generation that follows it. New Atlantas Founding Father, Herman J. Russell, dies. He gave us just enough to keep us hungry but without starving us, said Jerome, who said he followed in his fathers footsteps when he donated his kidney to his brother Michael. People have other things to do. There was nobody I met in life cheaper than H.J., said Perry, who was overcome with emotion throughout and after the service. The . 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. I loved him and he will be missed., Civil rights icon The Rev. He taught us that the greatest love we could show our children was to love our spouses.. Russell asked him how much he was making, and Khalil said $60,000 and up to $75,000 a year with a bonus. Those who wont be flying in the coming months can also enjoy the film on H. J. Russell & Companys YouTube channel. He had a good mind and sharp pencil., Andrew Young, former Atlanta Mayor and ambassador to the United Nations, He is one of the best men our city has ever produced. 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. 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. My father taught me how to love, Jerome said. Bernice A. Ernie Suggs is an enterprise reporter covering race and culture for the AJC since 1997. Today, the company is at number 25 on the BE Top 100 list. He was willing to sacrifice for the good of the community, Lowery said. 1979: Forms Concessions International LLC, a food service. The death Saturday of Atlanta business pioneer and philanthrophist Herman J. Russell brought a swell of reaction on social media and other channels. Second, do not leave anything out.. Did youfind true love? Russell did. Along the way, he broke virtually every racial and economic barrier. 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. That entrepreneurial spirit was passed on through his legacy to his children and grandchildren. He has seen me cry. He was a great citizen, a great business man and a brother. Russell said his modest beginnings had a lasting impact. Today, the variousorganizations thatareoperated and controlled by the Russell family include Concessions International, Russell Center for Innovation& Entrepreneurship, Russell Family Enterprises, LLC, and Russell New Urban Development, LLC. 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. Such a move could have destroyed other families and made for an awkward relationship among siblings, but Herman Russell executed a smooth transition. 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. Staff writers Katie Leslie and Eric Stirgus contributed to this report. Former Mayor Shirley Franklin in an interview several years ago called Russell a superb example of the American dream.. Former staff writer Maria Saporta also contributed. His brilliance is reflected across Atlantas skyline and throughout communities across the country. 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. Russell & Company. The decade of the 1960s was important for both the United States and H. J. Russell & Company. Herman Russell had a major impact on many of. He replaced dilapidated low-income housing with mixed-income communities near the Atlanta University Center. Along with his son Michael, Russell leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Sylvia; another son, Jerome; daughter, Donata, several grandchildren and a host of other relatives and admirers. 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. 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. A native of Atlanta, Herman J. Russell was an accomplished tradesman by the age of 12 having learned the plastering business from his father, Rogers Russell. The world is immeasurably better because of Herman J. Russell, said Atlanta City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell He was 83 years old. Russell partnered with noted white business leaders such as developer John Portman and Aarons founder Charles Loudermilk. Herman Russell was a remarkable gentleman and I greatly appreciate the work he did in District 10. When Jordan heard Russell was ill a couple of months ago, he called him when he knew he would be alone. John B. Smith, Sr., second vice chairman of NNPA and publisher and CEO of The Atlanta Inquirer, said, It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that I comment on the death of my friend, business associate and brother of the common good, Herman J. Russell. He didnt just build buildings. The firm is a partner in the joint venture selected to build the new $1 billion Atlanta Falcons stadium, scheduled to open in 2017. 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 church was filled with a Whos Who of Atlanta and so many people who had felt personally moved or touched by Russell and his family by blood or by business or by human bonds. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 1945: At 16, buys land in Summerhill for $125. Zane Major Jr., the son of Donata Russell Major Russells oldest child, called his grandfather the most influential person my life who kept the family together. He was 83. He bought his first parcel of land for $125 at age sixteen, later building a duplex on the property. After presenting the plan to his boss, Russell told him that he should run the company as the president and COO. Speaking to the children, Young said they will always hear their father speaking to them, sharing advice and demanding excellence. Russell had picked up the penny. Russell was a tower of strength who used his sharp mind and business know-how to become a major player in Atlantas business community. In 1999 Russell pledged $4 million to expand educational programs in entrepreneurship at Clark Atlanta University,Georgia State University andMorehouse College,as well as at his alma mater Tuskegee University. Rev. This was the decade that began with a grand announcement that Atlanta would be the site of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. Thats how Khalil became a developer and entrepreneur. He bought his first parcel of land for $125 at age sixteen, later building a duplex on the property. In 1994 Russells construction businesses were reorganized under H. J. Russell and Company. The Summerhill native owned several businesses throughout his career, starting at age 16 when he purchased a dilapidated home for $125. 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.. Noel Khalil, who also was a proteg, told the story of how Russell hired him. Herman Russell had a major impact on many of us, and he lived a great life.. R.I.P. Maria Saporta,Editor,is a longtime Atlanta business, civic and urban affairs journalist with a deep knowledge of our city, our region and state. He befriended contemporaries like M.L. 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. And we have cried together.. Would he pick it up or let it sit there at the bottom of the bowl? Giving the benediction was another longtime friend and associate Andrew Young a civil rights leader and former Atlanta mayor. We should pray to have even a fraction of the impact he had on the lives of others! Visit hjrussell.com to learn more about the firm. 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. I gave a gift of life., Jerome said the last time he saw his father at the Rollins Pavilion at Emory Hospital, he gave me the biggest smile and a hand wave. 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 & Company, a local construction firm that helped build many of the city's most important structures, in 1952. That entrepreneurial spirit was passed on through his legacy to his children and grandchildren. Russell & Company in 2003, at which point his son, Michael, succeeded him in running the business. Russell offered him $30,000, Khalil said, with attendees erupting in laughter. I was an obnoxious, over-educated, arrogant, illegal immigrant.. Herman Russell helped to make real the legacy of a city too busy to hate.. 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. David Hughes Duke and John Duke of Living Stories Video & Film are Emmy Award-winning filmmakers and natives of Atlanta. 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 Herman was not just a great man, but, sorry Evander (Holyfield), he was the real deal, Perry said. We are saying good-bye to the physical aspect of a person but I know the person is still alive. However, his beginnings were humble. 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. Herman J. Russell West End Academy | Building an inclusive and diverse community Belt line for a. Atlanta, GA 30310 Here are several highlights of the remembrances that were shared. 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. If you lose any money, its your ass. At that time, the construction company had revenues of $12 million a year. The company has annual sales of more than $150 million and employs 700. Westside Gazette Newspaper
Herman "Russ" Russell III said his grandfather urged them all to "stay focused" and "be upbeat." Once he asked his elder what made. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., helped shape the citys skyline and wielded influence far beyond his hometown. Later while in college, he and friends build a . He made his transition in a peaceful way, said his son, Michael, who serves as CEO of his fathers firm. Copyright 2023. Lastly, did one pass on peacefully and with grace. Maria was born in Atlanta to European parents and has two youngadult children. 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. 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. Survived by son, Russell (Patricia); grandchildren, Brent (Bethany), Adam (Jessica . He also said there was no entitlement in the Russell household. 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. You ask if someone has made a difference. Perry then asked for a job description. When Perry left 12 years after being named president, the companys revenues totaled $200 million and was the largest black-owned construction company in the country. His father was a plasterer from whom he learned the trade starting at the age oftwelve. 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. Building Atlanta: The Story of Herman J. Russell Documentary to be featured by Delta Air Lines Starting in Black History Month All Rights Reserved. I remember watching my father on the side of the bed on his knees and pray, Donata Major said. 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. Dar'shun Kendrick (@DarshunKendrick) November 15, 2014, The country has lost a GIANT, Herman J. Russell. 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 [] 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 Jerome Russell (December 23, 1930 November 15, 2014) was an entrepreneur and influential figure in Atlanta, Georgia. The world and Atlanta have indeed lost a remarkable individual and humanitarian. Russell used the profits from his shoeshine business to buy a vacant lot, and then built a residential duplex, all while he was still a teenager. 1967: Gets the winning bid to handle the fireproofing and wetwall work on the Equitable Life Assurance Building. Herman J Russell built one of the country's leading black owned construction, real estate and concessions empires. 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. These are the reasons along with a slew others that cavalcades of dignitaries, civil leaders and politicians are streaming into Atlanta to pause and pay homage to one of the pillars of modern Atlanta.
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