Herman J. Russell : Remembering an Atlanta Business Icon
It’s strange to think about what portion of our lives will outlive us; what we built that will still be standing after we no longer are. For many of us our list of memorable accomplishments is small, but Herman J. Russell’s legacy faces a different challenge. Which of his numerous accomplishments he will be remembered for is a matter of debate, but one thing that is sure to carry his legacy is his contribution to university programs.
Almost 15 years before his death on November 15 2014, Herman J. Russell made a historic contribution of $4 million to expand entrepreneurship programs at four universities– Clark Atlanta University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University, Morehouse College and Tuskegee University. This gift was the largest donation by an Africa American to support entrepreneurship studies in U.S. History. Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business is celebrating Black History month in part by honoring Russell and the Entrepreneurship Center he made possible for the school.
Russell was born in Atlanta Georgia in 1930. He was the youngest of 8 children. After spending some time working odd jobs for his father he began his secondary education at David T. Howard High School. It was in his sophomore year at Howard High that Russell purchased his first property. He eventually developed the property and leveraged it to pay for his college tuition. It was perhaps the first sign that Russell would go on to great things.
Through the 60s and 70s Russell grew the plastering and repairs company he inherited from his father into a construction empire stretching far outside its beginnings in Atlanta. Aside from his staggering business success during this time Russell also became the first black member, and later the second black president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. This is all to say nothing of his substantial contribution to the Civil Rights Movement of the time.
