H.J. Russell helped build Atlanta. His family is expanding that legacy

“What he accomplished, he did not accomplish by himself,” eldest child Donata Russell Ross said. “There are a lot of people out there who dream of doing all these things and don’t get that opportunity because they just don’t have the support systems.”

With several companies and nonprofits under the Russell banner, H.J.’s children and their spouses now control the bulk of his empire.

Donata is CEO of Concessions International, an airport food and beverage management firm, while younger brothers H. Jerome and Michael lead real estate management and development arms respectively. Lovette, Michael’s wife, runs many of H.J.’s philanthropic efforts, and the family also operates the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs and serves on many prominent Atlanta boards.

Six members of the Russell family spanning two generations spoke with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about how they see their family’s mission evolving — from adding to H.J.’s construction legacy to forging new opportunities for Black and minority entrepreneurs.

“What can we do in our community outside of just our business and financial gain?” said Mori Camille Russell, one of H.J.’s grandchildren. “How can we impact other people’s lives or create opportunities for them to excel? I think that was the real fight of civil rights.”

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Rich McKay, CEO of Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment and the Atlanta Falcons, oversees Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which the Russell construction company helped to build.

“The Russell family are as good of ambassadors to the city of Atlanta as you could possibly have,” McKay said.

Instilling work ethic

To grow up in the Russell family means knowing the value of hard work.

It’s a lesson Zane Major learned the hard way while working with his grandfather, H.J., at one of his hotels in Castleberry Hill. Fresh out of college, Zane tried to clock off a few minutes early but ran into his boss before he could make a clean escape.

“You’re going to go back in the office, and you’re going to find something to do,” Zane said, remembering H.J.’s scolding. “Your job is not done until your job is done.”

H.J. kept that vigorous work ethic until his death in 2014.

Donata said Concessions International, which just celebrated its 45th anniversary, is an example of her father refusing to rest on laurels. The company sprouted as an affiliate for larger concessions brands to land government contracts, which required a minority-owned partner.

But by the 1990s, Concessions International outgrew the classification and had to start bringing in other minority partners to fulfill that requirement.

“My dad never wanted to just be a minority partner who had an equity interest,” Donata said. “He wanted to develop anything he did into a bona fide business.”

Zane, who is now the director of asset management for Russell’s real estate arm, and Mori, who leads business development within Concessions International, both remember the high standard H.J. had for employees. Nepotism might get you in the door, but it didn’t guarantee job security.

“These businesses are multimillion-dollar enterprises that operate without family in most roles,” said Michael, CEO of construction firm H.J. Russell & Co. “If you’re going to be a family member and fit in the business, you have to bring value.”

‘Much is required’

In interviews, several Russells quoted Scripture as if it were a personal challenge.

“To whom much is given, much is required.”

It’s no surprise that verse is valued by a family who grew up with King as a frequent visitor. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens remembers the impact of seeing multigenerational Black wealth and how the Russells have opened up doors for others.

Credit: special

Credit: special

“Nobody in my family ever went to college. Nobody ever was this big business person,” Dickens said. “But we all knew that Herman Russell was building the downtown skyline as a construction leader. … He is the epitome of (someone who) started from the bottom and took it to the top.”

H.J. Russell mentored other key leaders. H.J.’s proteges include Egbert Perry of developer Integral Group, real estate broker T. Dallas Smith and the late Noel Khalil of Columbia Residential.

“He was really an incubator of talent,” Michael said.

That net has widened even further in recent years, especially with the Russell innovation center. The small business incubator inside H.J. Russell & Co’s original offices aims to provide the space and support for minority startups.

Jerome, H.J.’s middle child, said a benefit to having “mature businesses” like those within the Russell network is being able to fund innovation and partnerships.

“We have to be curious and have to be better collaborators than competitors,” he said. “Collaboration trumps competition.”

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Credit: Miguel Martinez

The family’s nonprofits also provide structured assistance across Atlanta’s education and health landscape.

“As Atlanta continues to grow, I think you’ll continue to hear and see the Russell name being a key part of many important projects that happen in this city,” Michael said.

— Staff writer Riley Bunch contributed reporting.

ABOUT THIS SERIES

This year’s AJC Black History Month series, marking its 10th year, focuses on the role African Americans played in building Atlanta and the overwhelming influence that has had on American culture. These daily offerings appear throughout February in the paper and on AJC.com and AJC.com/news/atlanta-black-history.

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