On October 10, 2024, the Council for Quality Growth held its 35th annual Four Pillar Tribute in honor of Herman J. Russell Sr. and his living legacy through Donata Russell Ross, H. Jerome Russell, and Michael Russell Sr. for the family’s commitment to quality and their lasting contributions to metro Atlanta, Georgia, and far beyond. Their chosen theme for the evening was Pure Grit. Built to Last., inspired by the family patriarch’s humble beginnings and success against all odds. The 2024 Four Pillar Tribute was presented by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Georgia Power, and Norfolk Southern. Donata, Jerome, and Michael received the Four Pillar Award among friends, family, and 1,500 other guests in the Georgia Ballroom of the Georgia World Congress Center.
Sally Riker, 2024 Chair of the Council for Quality Growth and Vice President Strategy + Growth at Atlas, presented Jerome and Michael Russell with the Four Pillar Award. “Just like their father, the Russell Family today continues to take their successes and turn them into opportunities for others,” said Sally Riker, 2024 Chair of the Council for Quality Growth. “We are proud to bring Atlanta together tonight to celebrate this family that keeps building our city up for this generation, and for the next.”
[From left to right: Sally Riker, T. Dallas Smith, Keith Mason, Michael Russell, Jerome Russell,
Jay Bailey, Mori Russell, Benjamin Russell, Zane Major, and Michael Paris]
In their acceptance, Michael and Jerome told the Herman Russell story from their own perspective, as they watched their father exceed all expectations. “H.J.’s reputation in Atlanta’s business community was a quality builder and valuable partner,” said Jerome. “Our father’s track record for quality work preceded his race.”
They described the Council’s ‘Four Pillars’ as “part of H.J.’s DNA,” which built a life a determination for his children, and their children, the 3rd Generation or G3. “If Vision, Quality, and Responsibility were the foundation and pillars of H. J.’s life and legacy, then Integrity was the roof that covered it,” said Michael Russell.
From their father, Donata, Jerome, and Michael learned the importance of hard work, the value of a dollar, and the importance of showing up. Through these lessons and many more, the Russell Family successfully own and operate one of the largest Black business enterprises in the U.S., including H.J. Russell & Company, Russell New Urban Development, Concessions International, and the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), by which they pay it forward to other aspiring business leaders. “Our platform of generational Black family businesses of 73 years is the legacy we use to inspire other entrepreneurs,” said Jerome.
Michael E. Paris, President & CEO of the Council for Quality Growth, added, “This night reminds us just how far Herman Russell’s legacy reaches. His entrepreneurial spirit held build this city, his leadership was inspiring to those around him, and his legacy continues to be part of the success our region celebrates today.”
The Four Pillar Tribute recognizes leadership and how the recipients display the ‘Four Pillars’ of leadership – Quality, Responsibility, Vision, and Integrity – through their work and in their everyday lives. A distinguished group of speakers paid tribute to the Russell Family. On Quality, Ernest Greer, Co-President of Greenberg Traurig, reflected on his own memories of being inspired by Herman Russell from a young age, later working with him, and how quality was always a central theme in his life. “Quality wasn’t a goal for Mr. Russell,” said Greer, “but a deep-seated expectation.”
On Responsibility, Jay Bailey, President & CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), recalled the many responsibilities that Herman Russell Sr. took on through his life. These included the responsibility to fix what needed fixing, to put his earnings to a higher cause, to create pathways for others to prosperity, and to show his children and grandchildren how to take these responsibilities as their own. Bailey highlighted the successes of RICE that have resulted, including the creation of 2,500 jobs and $600 million in economic value to Atlanta. “Herman J. Russell Sr. was directly responsible for Atlanta being the city we love today,” said Bailey.
On Vision, Keith Mason, Founder at KWM Capital Management, reflected on the close ties between the Mason and Russell Families in the 1950s and 60s. Mason served in several capacities with Herman Russell, including the Georgia Ports Authority, in which he recalls Herman’s aptitude for creating relationships that pushed societal boundaries of the time. “His vision was not just building major projects in Atlanta and Georgia, but also building relationships with people from different races, ethnicity, and geography that help lead to more economic opportunity for more people,” said Mason.
On Integrity, members of the 3rd Generation of the Russell Family, Zane Major, Mori Russell, and Benjamin Russell, focused on what their parents have already taught them about life and business. Collectively, G3 has already assumed the quality, vision, and responsibility of the generations before them, but they were each able to identify how integrity is an ongoing value in their parents’ lives. “Our family’s reputation in integrity holds the most importance in our ability to still be here, in business, 60 plus years later,” said Mori Russell.
The Russell’s Four Pillar Tribute also featured outstanding musical performances by three prominent Atlanta artists. Five-time Grammy Award Winner, CeeLo Green, daughter Mayor Maynard Jackson, Alexandra Jackson, and Atlanta-based R&B artist, Chae Stephen, together, performed a moving Musical Tribute with a carefully curated selections of Herman J. Russell Sr.’s favorite artists, including Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday, and Marvin Gaye. Atlanta jazz band Lil’ John Roberts and the Senators provided supporting music throughout. Herman Russell’s alma mater, Tuskegee University Golden Voices Choir, performed the opening act. An esteemed group of Tribute Chairs were selected to pay tribute to the H.J. Russell Family and their lasting legacy on Atlanta and beyond, including:
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Jay Bailey
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Virginia Hepner
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Keith Mason
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Regynald Washington
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Leona Barr-Davenport
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Doug Hertz
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Dave Moody
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Mack Wilbourn
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Dan T. Cathy
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Bob Holder
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Egbert Perry
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Bruce Williams
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Cynthia Day
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Tommy Holder
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Sylvia Russell
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Ambassador
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David Eidson
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John Jackson
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T. Dallas Smith
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Andrew Young
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Ernest Greer
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Joia Johnson
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Jeffrey Tompkins
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Sheffield Hale
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Cynthia Jones-Parks
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Felker Ward Jr.
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The prestigious Four Pillar Tribute annually recognizes an outstanding individual who demonstrates the ‘Four Pillars’ of leadership – Quality, Responsibility, Vision, and Integrity – and exemplifies the Council’s mission of promoting balanced and responsible growth. The Council for Quality Growth is proud to add Herman, Donata, Jerome, and Michael Russell to its list of Four Pillar Award recipients.
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