He was 83. All Rights Reserved by H.J. His father was a plasterer from whom he learned the trade starting at the age of twelve. 1986: Constructs Atlanta Gas Light Headquarters. When I was 14, I went in front of the Atlanta City Council (known then as the Board of Aldermen) to ask for the rezoning of a lot that the city owned so I could expand my business. Russell later founded H.J. 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 the '50s - made transition, on Saturday, Nov. 15, following a brief illness. Russell & Company CEO Michael Russell said in a statement. Atlanta Loses Business Giant, Civic Leader and - The Atlanta Inquirer document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Builder Robert Holder said he and Herman Russell were born about 30 days of each other and about four miles apart, but it might as well have been two different worlds. The . Updated Nov 17, 2014, 3:50pm EST. [], These panelists took their time to share their own real life experiences and opinions about the issues faced in todays society. Two years later, Jerome donated one of his kidneys to his brother. 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. People have other things to do. I cant express how much we will miss him., Hermans spirit permeated the community. He left a lasting legacy that will be remembered for years to come.said Atlanta City Councilmember C.T. 1938: Starts first business shining shoes. "The firm he built continues to shape what this city will look like for decades to come.". Along the way, he broke virtually every racial and economic barrier. Those who wont be flying in the coming months can also enjoy the film on H. J. Russell & Companys YouTube channel. Like Atlanta, he started off with a little shoe shine stand, now his company is a major influence in everything happening in the city. Civil rights leader the Rev. Herman Russ Russell III said his grandfather urged them all to stay focused and be upbeat. Once he asked his elder what made him happy. He didnt treat us any different than anybody else, Major said. H.J. He bought his first parcel of land for $125 at age sixteen, later building a duplex on the property. Herman Russell known city- , state- and nationwide for his formidable business knowledge and acumen has received many plaudits since his passing on Nov. 15. 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,. Herman Russell's Biography - The HistoryMakers Russell & Company also assisted in the construction of the Atlanta Police headquarters, Fulton County Jail, nearly a dozen Atlanta Public Schools buildings, Atlanta History Center, Atlanta Symphony Hall, the Carter Center, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and many other structures. 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. Maria received her Masters degree in urban studies from GeorgiaState and her Bachelors degree in journalism from Boston University. 1989: Constructs Delta Flight Operations Center. 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. Herman Jerome Russell (December 23, 1930 November 15, 2014) was an entrepreneur and influential figure in Atlanta, Georgia. Great Memorial to A great man-Gloria WaddellReport, Your email address will not be published. While business was his public face, Herman Russell Sr.s heart belonged to family, friends and equality, speaker after speaker said. Herman had to make a speech, Jordan said, and his speech impediment made Russell difficult to understand. He and his wife, Otelia, lived in midtown Atlanta. 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. Giving the benediction was another longtime friend and associate Andrew Young a civil rights leader and former Atlanta mayor. Building Wealth While Black: How Atlanta Fueled a Family Fortune As Atlanta natives, we pride ourselves on telling stories of some of the most consequential figures in our citys and states history through film, and it was particularly rewarding to be able to create a documentary about an Atlanta icon who quietly and fearlessly did so much to help create the Atlanta we know today, said co-director, David Duke of Living Stories Film & Video. Russell offered him $30,000, Khalil said, with attendees erupting in laughter. He inspired many with words of wisdom, and assisted financially local and national political leaders, and office seekers. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. And that's just what his firm did in Atlanta not to mention what the construction magnate built across the nation. Joseph Lowery. Herman was not just a great man.
Is Rhea Perlman Related To Ron Perlman,
Uscca Vs Nra,
Wednesday Food Specials Milwaukee,
Diana De Uphaugh,
Loyola High School Football Coaching Staff,
Articles H