You can not bury Hermans laughter in that casket, Young 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.. 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. "H.J. 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. It caused a lot of people to underestimate him. The decade of the 1960s was important for both the United States and H. J. Russell & Company. 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. 1986: Constructs Atlanta Gas Light Headquarters. [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. Throughout the decades of enormous success, Mr. Russell continued to give back to the community that nurtured his business pursuits. 1982: Constructs Georgia-Pacific Headquarters. 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. 1952: Establishes H.J. Whether at The Inquirer or with our respective families, he supported me to the very end, and I will always be most appreciative of that respect and friendship. Russell & Company in 2003, at which point his son, Michael, succeeded him in running the business. Martin. Rev. Go run the company, Russell told him. After presenting the plan to his boss, Russell told him that he should run the company as the president and COO. Herman J. Gerhardt - Pohlman~Varner~Peeler Mortuary Russell & Co. built much of Atlantas skyline often through joint ventures from the Georgia-Pacific headquarters to the Georgia Dome. 545 N.W. 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. He retired twice once in 1996 and the last time in 2003. He is one of the heroes of Atlantas story, a real life legend to now aspire to. Atlanta City Councilmember Michael Julian Bond. Lastly, did one pass on peacefully and with grace. He was a great citizen, a great businessman and a brother. 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. The Summerhill native owned several businesses throughout his career, starting at age 16 when he purchased a dilapidated home for $125. As he did, he became a part of Russells family. Geraldine J. Stolle Obituary | Star Tribune Herman Russell known city- , state- and nationwide for his formidable business knowledge and acumen has received many plaudits since his passing on Nov. 15. Great Memorial to A great man-Gloria WaddellReport, Your email address will not be published. He built movements.. He has seen me cry. Russell's other interests are in airport concessions. One of them looked at me. 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. Jordan, who the sounding board for presidents and power brokers, said Russell had other talents. 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. Later while in college, he and friends build a . He is one of the best men our city has ever produced, said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. Nine months after Atlanta business icon Herman J. Russell died in November 2014, his three children received a letter from lawyers representing Joycelyn Alston of New York. He was one of thirteen children born to Michael and Florence (Brungardt) Gerhardt. Building Atlanta: The Story of Herman J. Russell Documentary to be featured by Delta Air Lines Starting in Black History Month Over the next fifty years, he continued to build businesses, amassing one of the nations and the worlds most profitable minority-owned conglomerates. 1968: Is awarded HUD housing contracts in the Southeast and the Equitable Building. Watergate, oil shortages and declining real estate markets created uncertainty in every area of the nation. Today, our city lost one of the best men it has ever produced. There was no stutter in Herman Russells soul.. His legacy will live on in the projects he built, the family he raised, and the people he touched throughout his life., Ernest Greer, chairman of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and vice president and Atlanta managing shareholder at law firm Greenberg Traurig, He was one of the Giants of our time. He made an indelible mark on the city of Atlanta and the nation and he will be deeply missed.. Hermans drive, tenacity and vision carry on throughout the company today. Herman Russell had a major impact on many of us and he lived a great life.- Michael Russell, son of Herman Russell and CEO of H.J. I feel the mist of the River Jordan, and Im ready to cross over, Russell answered. 'Building Atlanta: The Story of Herman J. Russell' Documentary to be 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. 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. 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,. Russell & Company CEO Michael Russell said in a statement. They came from all walks of life, with sections of the behemoth church set aside for employees of H.J. We will celebrate his life and learn from his example. What surprised me the most was that Herman was speaking at all, Jordan said because of Russells speech impediment. THE DIGITAL REPOSITORY FOR THE BLACK EXPERIENCE. In 1994 Russells construction businesses were reorganized under H. J. Russell and Company. Learn how your comment data is processed. An avid supporter of Atlanta and its youth, Russell is the founder of the Herman J. Russell Entrepreneurial Scholarship Foundation for an Atlanta elementary school. 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. He also was a key member of the Civil Rights movement and broke down barriers for minority entrepreneurs. I salute you sir for a long life-well done: http://t.co/wEOUdzQj65 He taught us that the greatest love we could show our children was to love our spouses.. And dont leave until 6.. Half-sister of Herman Russell's children wants share of his estate 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. (Left)Michael B. Russell& Jerome Russell(Right). In December 2009 Russells family donated $1 million to expand a new facility of Childrens Healthcare of Atlantaat Hughes Spalding. Perry lost the bet believing Russell wouldnt dig in the commode for simply a penny. The world is immeasurably better because of Herman J. Russell, said Atlanta City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell Like Atlanta, he started off with a little shoe shine stand, now his company is a major influence in everything happening in the city. All rights reserved. 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 entire nation is indebted to Herman J. Russell for the vision of hope and progress he had for Atlanta and the country. Joseph Lowery. Russell Co. and the other family interests to his children. Along with a myriad of other community and corporate boards, Russell, after retiring in 2003 from his company, continued to be an in demand speaker with business classes, as well as for various corporate settings, channeling his business acumen to future business owners and leaders for the growth and economic advancement. Martin Luther King is more alive in our lives today than he was 45 years ago.. 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. 1967: Gets the winning bid to handle the fireproofing and wetwall work on the Equitable Life Assurance Building. In 2001, he continued his personal investment in the revitalization investment of his companys neighborhood, including construction of The Castleberry Inn (now the Clarion Inn & Suites Atlanta Downtown), Legacy Lofts, Intown Lofts, and Paschals Restaurant. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. What Falcons NFC South rivals did in 2023 NFL draft. All Rights Reserved. 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. Nationally prominent Atlanta business leader Herman J. Russell, 83, died Saturday morning after a brief illness. He was elated and proud of the fact that he was able to share his legacy with others and, most importantly, his grandchildren, Michael Russell said. Late Herman Russell praised for his special brand of humanity - ajc Herman Jerome was put in charge of the companys development arm. Russell & Company in 1952, becoming one of the largest Minority Business Enterprises in America. Russell & Co., Hoovers Company Profiles, Whos Who Among African Americans (14th ED), Staff Research. Stolle, Geraldine J. But Russell saw him going to his car and asked him where he was going. Tags: Ambassador Andrew Young, atlanta city council president ceaser mitchell, civil rights movement, Congressman John Lewis, Herman J. Russell, Mayor Kasim Reed. His role model was his father who owned his own plastering business. 'The firm he built continues to shape what this city will look like for decades to come'. I cant express how much we will miss him.. They picked Herman first, and then we were brought in. Survived by son, Russell (Patricia); grandchildren, Brent (Bethany), Adam (Jessica . 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. H.J. Required fields are marked *. 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. 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. However, his beginnings were humble. If you lose any money, its your ass. At that time, the construction company had revenues of $12 million a year. U.S. Rep. John Lewis [D-Ga.] said, Herman J. Russell was one of the founding fathers of the new Atlanta. Along with being an inimitable and distinctive business leader and icon, who created H.J. Russell, the youngest of eight children, grew up in the Summerhill district, near Turner Field. You will remember his hugs, his wisdom. Since 1952, H. J. Russell & Companys commitment to strengthening Americas foundation through entrepreneurship, empowerment and excellence has propelled the company to legendary success. 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. Several of his grandchildren participated in the service. I have seen H.J. His brilliance is reflected across Atlantas skyline and throughout communities across the country. "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. Herman said, If you give me 1 percent more of the profit, you can take my name off of it altogether.. I remember watching my father on the side of the bed on his knees and pray, Donata Major said. atlanta city council president ceaser mitchell. 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. 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. However, his beginnings were humble. However, his beginnings were humble. Having the privilege of knowing him since childhood, as I grew, I was able to watch Mr. Russell grow and build this beautiful city with his hands, his words, and his deeds. Along the way, he broke virtually every racial and economic barrier. Grandson H. Jerome Russell Jr. said his grandfather didnt play favorites with employees. Man, overflow was overflowed, said one attendee, to which another replied, I can believe it, he was a pioneer.. That entrepreneurial spirit was passed on through his legacy to his children and grandchildren.
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