Along with being an inimitable and distinctive business leader and icon, who created H.J. They picked Herman first, and then we were brought in. Jordan, who the sounding board for presidents and power brokers, said Russell had other talents. Construction Executive, Favorite Vacation Spot: New Zealand, Europe. Former Mayor Shirley Franklin in an interview several years ago called Russell a superb example of the American dream.. Perry lost the bet believing Russell wouldnt dig in the commode for simply a penny. 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. After returning to Atlanta upon graduation, Russell performed small-scale plastering and repair services until he inherited his fathers business, then known as the Rogers Russell Plastering Company, upon his fathers death in 1957. 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. Herman J. Russell. 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 was a great citizen, a great business man and a brother. The death Saturday of Atlanta business pioneer and philanthrophist Herman J. Russell brought a swell of reaction on social media and other channels. It includes public projects such as the Georgia Dome, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Philips Arena, and Turner Field. He released his autobiography, Building Atlanta: How I Broke Through Segregation to Launch a Business Empire, last April. He bought his first piece of land at 16 years old," Michael B. Russell said about his father. 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. Grand-daughter Sydney Russell recited a poem: When I am Gone overcome with emotion as she read the powerful words. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., helped shape the citys skyline and wielded influence far beyond his hometown. Perry said you judge a generation by the generation that follows it. 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 He left his indelible mark on our citys skyline as one of the developers who constructed some of our regions iconic structures. Maria was born in Atlanta to European parents and has two youngadult children. All Rights Reserved by H.J. Egbert Perry viewed Russell as his second father. Back in those days, I faced some tough segregation, Russell said in an interview in March. Watergate, oil shortages and declining real estate markets created uncertainty in every area of the nation. Herman J. Gerhardt, Sr., 83, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2019, at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell. Nathan Deal, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, of which Russell was a former leader, preceded dozens of quotes in tribute. 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. Michael Russell spoke of how honored he felt to be carrying on the role of running his fathers company. Hermans spirit permeated the community. 1987: Expands his own corporate office to 42,000 square feet. Required fields are marked *. That entrepreneurial spirit was passed on through his legacy to his children and grandchildren. Giving the benediction was another longtime friend and associate Andrew Young a civil rights leader and former Atlanta mayor. Continue to construct great buildings in heaven. He taught us that the greatest love we could show our children was to love our spouses.. Herman J Russell built one of the country's leading black owned construction, real estate and concessions empires. 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. I remember watching my father on the side of the bed on his knees and pray, Donata Major said. I also had a stuttering problem at that time. WHEREAS, Mr. Herman J. Russell was the founder and former chief executive officer of H. J. Russell and Company and a nationally recognized entrepreneur and philanthropist amassing one of the nation's most profitable minority-owned business empires, turning a small plaster company into a construction and real estate conglomerate; and WHEREAS, Mr . Daughter Donata was picked to head the family philanthropic arm. H.J. Russell & Company CEO Michael Russell said in a statement. Delta put us together in a shotgun wedding, Holder said in an interview several years ago. 1995: Constructs Wachovia Headquarters in Winston-Salem, N.C. 1999: Donates $4 million to Tuskegee University, Clark Atlanta University, Georgia State University and Morehouse College. Soon after, he formed the plastering company that over several decades became a successful development and construction conglomerate. But most importantly, they bridged two worlds with a close friendship. Russell almost immediately expanded the family business, taking onlarger projects that ranged from home building to real estate investment. In 1994 Russells construction businesses were reorganized under H. J. Russell and Company. Atlanta business icon Herman J. Russell has died - ajc.com His obsession with Prince, Spike Lee movies, Hamilton and the New York Yankees is odd. He was willing to sacrifice for the good of the community, Lowery said. Do not speak all day. I loved him and he will be missed, said Civil Rights icon, Rev. Half-sister of Herman Russell's children wants share of his estate We met Mr. Russell when we interviewed him for our documentary on former City of Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen, said John Duke. He was my friend for the rest of my life.. It melted my heart.. atlanta city council president ceaser mitchell. [], These panelists took their time to share their own real life experiences and opinions about the issues faced in todays society. Joseph Lowery. Russell & Company's portfolio is massive. 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. Where are todays Muhammad Ali-like athletes? 2023 The HistoryMakers. This was also the year that Herman founded H. J. Russell Plastering Company in Atlanta, whichwould later become H. J. Russell & Company. Atlanta business icon Herman J. Russell has died - ajc Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. Even though H.J. never learned how to pronounce his first name, Russell taught him essential lessons of business and life. []. 1988: Constructs McGill Place Condominiums. What Falcons NFC South rivals did in 2023 NFL draft. 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. When are the 2023 college graduation ceremonies in Georgia? 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 J. Russell: 2013 Georgia Trustee Returning to Atlanta after college, he worked . With the skills his father taught him, he, with the help of friends, built a duplex on a vacant lot he had saved up to purchase. H.J. "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. He bought his first parcel of land for $125 at age sixteen, later building a duplex on the property. Russell's other interests are in airport concessions. He used his savings to help pay his tuition at Tuskegee University. Russell offered him $30,000, Khalil said, with attendees erupting in laughter. 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. 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. He was 83 years old. Herman had to make a speech, Jordan said, and his speech impediment made Russell difficult to understand. After his father's death in 1957, Russell took over the company and expanded it into a conglomerate that includes general contracting, construction/program management, real estate development and property and asset management. People have other things to do. Hermans spirit permeated the community. H. I want to think the Russell children for sharing your father with me, Khalil said. Clearly, the answer is yes. [], Where are todays Muhammad Ali-like athletes? Rev. Not satisfied with Majors answer, Russell told him: Go back inside and find something to do. He was a gentleman., Sam Massell, a former Atlanta mayor who is now president of the Buckhead Coalition, Herman Russells success is indelible proof that Georgia is indeed a place where all are welcome and where all can succeed. Mr. Russell will be sorely missed by many, but he leaves behind an exceptional legacy of community concern and corporate social responsibility that will be continued through the outstanding work of his children.. Over the years, the Holders and the Russells became close friends as well as business partners. Russell & Company in 1952, becoming one of the largest Minority Business Enterprises in America. The entire nation is indebted to Herman J. Russell for the vision of hope and progress he had for Atlanta and the country. The world is immeasurably better because of Herman J. Russell, said Atlanta City Council President Ceasar C. 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. 1987: Constructs Wachovia Bank operations center in North Carolina.

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