/Creator ( w k h t m l t o p d f 0 . . When you find common solutions that work for everybody and [are] respectful of everybody to represent the best of you. By all accounts, those associated with the new stadium and the Westside view their presence as at least a 10-20 year commitment toward revitalizing a downtrodden community and bringing the city together. The Gruden e-mails were leaked from a (way too) long-running investigation of the toxic (i.e. Its appalling how heavily-to-tightly-managed entities, especially those controlled by a small cluster of well-heeled egos turn into shuddering eunuchs at the thought of riling just an ugly faction of its consumer base. For the last two decades, sports have united this largely racially divided city, and partially due to the actions of the Hawks and the Braves, the Falcons could ill-afford to have a stadium plan that was not only racially inclusive, but also worked to incorporate the surrounding community. Their frustration is real, and it must be acknowledged and addressed. American professional sports owners have contributed nearly $47 million in federal elections since 2015, according to research by ESPN in partnership with FiveThirtyEight, including $10 million. Soccer fans don't want to feel like they go into a stadium and they're a second-class citizen citizen. I felt and others felt that we could be successful here. His is another example of how well powerful systems, in this case, the almighty NFL, can throw a PR cocoon around people and project to the public only the parts of its culture that serve its business interests until they dont. Arthur Blank (Atlanta Falcons owner and co-founder of Home Depot) 2020Joe Biden 2016Hillary Clinton 2012Barack Obama Maxine Clark (founder and former CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop) 2016Hillary Clinton Michael Eisner (former CEO of Disney) 2016Marco Rubio, then later Hillary Clinton 2016Kamala Harris Jack M. Greenberg (former CEO of McDonald's) Liz Cheney Aint Going Nowhere in This Republican Party, Jensens Abortion Ban Promises Come Back to Haunt Him, Thanks to Oppo. Come up with real solutions: Atlanta rapper Killer Mike condemns vandalism, >> 'If you care about this city then go home': Atlanta mayor, police chief call protests a disgrace, NCSHP arrest driver accused of nearly hitting 2 students at bus stop in Statesville, Rock band Kiss reveals Charlotte connection to hit song, After Murdaugh trial circus, Walterboro welcomes normality, Bank accidentally left unlocked in Fresno, police say, Charlotte woman celebrates $1 million scratch-off prize, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. Blank credits his mother with giving him his first lesson in entrepreneurship. Among Blanks diverse interests are the nationwide PGA Tour Superstore chain, three guest ranches in Montana, and a family foundation that counts millions in economic development investments on Atlantas beleaguered Westside among its $660-million outlay to date. Owner, Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC. And they love that. But COVID vaccination, as a consequence of being made political by belligerent partisans, many of whom love football more than life itself, is terrifying territory for the NFL. Sign up for notifications from Insider! But my mother would say to me, You know, what you have to say is important. But the two subsequent CEOs the gentleman there today, Craig Minear, the CEO and president Ted Decker both live the culture. They survived. That origin story is well known in business and retail circles as an example of how bold, disruptive thinking can change the game, but Good Company provides a more personal view. And that's it. How best to put it? His daughter Dena is the executive director of the Kendeda Fund, a left-of-center private foundation founded by her mother, Diana Blank. GPB is committedto bringing you comprehensive news coverage from Georgia, across the country and around the world. GALEO engages in advocacy, creates opportunities for engagement and networking, and develops leadership skills for Latino community members. Max died when Arthur was 15, leaving his mother to grow what became a multi-million-dollar business. The Athletic reported that Blank gave $2,800 to Biden, the Democratic nominee for president, on July 1. /BitsPerComponent 8 Which country do you come from? And thats despite our recent record, which hasn't been, you know, one I'm particularly proud of, but we'll get better. For more information about Life Itself, visit the . America has long struggled to deliver a fair and equitable democracy to all of its citizens. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Atlanta, GA 30318 Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with businessman Arthur Blank about gun regulation and philanthropy. How do I do my part in it? "This grant will help The Center add to its existing . Because It Delivers Comfort, Status and Cash. "I know Bernie's heart. And Ambassador Young, another good friend would say the same thing. /ColorSpace /DeviceRGB Not about dogfighting. And so think about the implications of the choices you're making for yourself and for your loved ones, etc. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. And the great political leaders in the past, they were civil and they were good listeners. When I left [Home Depot] in 2001, [it] was the second largest retailer in the world, second only to Wal-Mart. MATTIE'S CALL: A 9-month-old baby girl was reported missing from the Ellenwood area with a man police say was diagnosed with a mental illness. And I know he considers the blessings that we had coming from Home Depot [and what its done] for all of our philanthropy today and all of our businesses today to be something that we're very thankful for. We expect to learn a great deal from these groups and have that learning inform our strategy on voting access and civic participation in Georgia and beyond. Well, I shouldn't say I'm not. And it was early on a Sunday morning. The NFL could and should be a leader among other giant corporations in taking stark stands against belligerent stupidity like racism (which it is sort of good at in a lipservice/signage kind of way, considering 70% of its players are black) and sexism (where it has a long ways to go, despite promoting Breast Cancer Awareness Month with pink shoes), but also right now for wait for it COVID vaccinations. (To his enormous credit, Leibovich burned up all the access his name and the Times brand afforded him to tell a story the average sports writer only dares hint at.) The Westside also suffers from severe flooding problems, and the stadium has a 1.1 million gallon storm vault underground to trap and reuse their rain water, and help prevent flooding. He fielded multiple quarterback-related questions and spoke glowingly of Ridder, who. It is time to hold mayoral offices accountable, chiefs and deputy chiefs. In that way, I don't think my personality, probably, or my patience level probably is not the level it would have to be to sustain myself in this political atmosphere today. Owner Arthur Blank of the Atlanta Flacons reacts before a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on November 10, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 10, Following proposed changes to Georgia voting laws in early 2021, Blank released a statement saying, We should be working to make voting easier, not harder for every eligible citizen, and that his businesses and family foundation will support efforts that advance voting access for the citizens of Georgia and across the nation. 11 Blank also participated in an online call with over 100 corporate executives to discuss taking action following changes to state voting laws including the possibility of delaying investments in states that pass allegedly restrictive voting laws. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. It starts with respect. The documentary will premiere exclusively Nov. 23, 2020 at 8 p.m.on Georgia Public Broadcasting. Martin Luther King Jr. once lived in this part of town, but decades of disinvestment and neglect have resulted in over 40 percent of the community living in poverty with an unemployment rate twice that of the rest of Atlanta. Over the next two years (2021-2023), we will create an inclusive relationship with and among these grantees to share ideas, best practices, lessons and challenges. ~B?/"J()NF =|Z|&t?jCJw)C 0H>~9 ( 81c2fO=a>}@#y}~9]jqCZ'}*x:qj@PTj+2>dm?aU2 8'z?mWm)yt7,?:99=, +oG6 <4!I lg, ]6vDT2zu9~1bA'px#?)X&,:irv.q'/U:~]{tf&[eR|ozKD-sCEAMnO e=#MguofhNFT1vMfH# Q,e_oZdb_47OatAYs2=LJr~R1# gwg],Xs7q72 f) _n:R-r9-:Q`Mg?_t*"v8? In 1978, they co-founded the home-improvement retailer The Home Depot, with the help of merchandising expert Pat Farrah and New York investment banker Ken Langone who assembled a group of investors. Thats great. Our family foundation seeks to preserve and strengthen our democracy, and weve chosen this as one of our new collective areas of giving. Politicians, business owners and celebrities are speaking out to share their thoughts on Floyds death, the issues his killing have brought to the forefront and the protests that turned to chaos, specifically in Atlanta. I stayed in touch with him to some degree when he was in prison. So you take your time, you get the words out and people will listen to you. So I think that from those days in college where I raised my hand and I know my buddies around the class would think, Oh, boy, here goes another 5-minute answer, you know? /CA 1.0 Please, please stop this violence!! That was in 1979. Blank, speaking with Falcons reporters via phone from the Super Bowl, expressed confidence in the direction of the team following a 7-10 finish under second-year coach Arthur Smith. Did the Vikings and NFL Just Blacklist Another Left-Leaning Player? After stepping down as CEO of Home Depot in the early 2000s, Blank's interests centered on a variety of Atlanta-based sports franchises and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, a private foundation that has awarded over $560 million. Since then, they have re-organized their focus areas more specifically into four groups: policy advocacy, organizing and civic engagement, impact litigation, and legal services. But its the NFL itself that should be held to greater account and responsibility than it ever is. We sit down with New York Times theater critic Jesse Green to discuss Rodgers' autobiography, Shy. But We Aint Seen Nuthin Yet. Brian Kemp signed the controversial bill, which includes new restrictions on voting by mail and greater legislative control over how elections are run. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. He came out of the prison system as a changed person for the positive, not for the negative. With Enemies Like Scott Jensen, Who Needs Friends? During the past year, GALEO staff and volunteers have participated in events at food banks, churches, and schools, where they provide information while assisting with free COVID-19 testing and food distribution. Blank also contributed $28,500 to the Obama Victory Fund in 2008. "It's not a red issue or a blue issue, it's about how you treat people, whether it be guests, fans, customers, associates, or shareholders in the case with HD," said Blank, whose Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has granted over $800 million to help underserved people across the nation. Of the other 60% who do come, half are rooting for the other team. So I understood what they were saying: They just wanted support noise. I've had conversations with a number of senators who made it very clear that some of their best friends, both politically and otherwise, are on the other side of the aisle. And I remember he told me, he said, You know, when [I went into] the prison system, they gave me three pair of underwear, three shirts, three pair slacks, three socks and one pair of shoes, and that was it. He said, That was all I was going to have, as opposed to the lifestyle he was leading before. meathead) culture inside the team formerly known as the Washington Redskins. It's good to be different, said Blank, but he said it's the intolerance of some that worries him about the future. All of us as human beings, I think need to do a much better job of being a good listener. I listen to what he says and sometimes I'll cringe. My dad didn't look at who it was. What I Learned Over One Cup of Coffee Yesterday Morning, You Want to Laugh at Liz Truss and The Brits. I worked with him for over 40 years and we shared the same bathroom for over 30 years, which is more than any of our marriages lasted," said Blank, who's currently valued by Forbes at about $6.2 billion. But thus far Blank and those connected to the stadium appear committed to using this opportunity as one to enhance and not exploit this community. But he did. And if you go to the Museum of Equal Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, [Equal Justice Initiative Director] Bryan Stevenson says the same thing: We need to recognize [that] these 5000 lynchings took place in the United States[a 2019 Report from the EJI documents more than 4440 racial terror lynchings in the U.S. between 1877 and 1950]. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. So it really never defined me. He had a gun on his lap, sitting on his right thigh. And I told him before, You get in a convertible and drive around the field and Michael, there are 73,000 people in the building. I do know it is hard. At the time, Atlanta liked to call itself The City Too Busy to Hate, but as more African Americans moved to the city the moniker shifted to The City Too Busy Moving to Hate, as more white Atlantans escaped the city to the northern suburbs. In the 1940sGeorgia mountains, eight children were taken into the woods and left to die. No, I'm not. We sold out the entire stadium in two-and-a-half hours. Full statement from Arthur Blank: https://t.co/1lU870TGWa pic.twitter.com/0qejiahKKY, Please, please stop this violence!! 5 Other Blank family businesses include the nationwide PGA TOUR Superstore as well as a handful of ranches across the country. Left to right: Dennis Ross, Arthur Blank, Bernie Marcus, Pat Farrah, Ron Brill. And if all goes to plan, its also going to help a depressed community thats heard big talk before. Link Copied! 4 0 obj When GALEO was established, Georgias Latino community was not well represented, nor was it a viable electoral force; today, there are over 385,000 registered Latino voters in the state. And they've worked collectively for the United States, for everybody in this country, 330 million people. I mean, people were throwing tea off those boats because they were protesting, you know. In his new book, Good Company, Blank follows his own success to show that purpose and profit can and should coexist. And the Falcons new stadiumscheduled to open this summerwith an estimated cost of $1.5 billion, $200 million coming from Atlanta hotel-motel taxesis definitely big and shinny with tons of gadgets to enhance the fan experience. But this is where the similarities with most other stadiums end. And he recently gave $250,000 to committees supporting Joe Biden, Forbes reported. Sign up to receive GPB Event announcements via Email. We are better than this We are better than this as a country. But we both said, you know, if we ever had to compete with Handy Dan that was the most successful conventional chain of home improvement center stores in the country at that time it would be with a large, no frills, downmarket store. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is located adjacent to the Falcons current home, the Georgia Dome, in Atlantas Westside. Young you are. After stepping down as CEO of Home Depot in the early 2000s, Blanks interests centered on a variety of Atlanta-based sports franchises and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, a private foundation that has awarded over $560 million. Also watchRISING UP: A Westside Story,a documentary film by David Lewis Productions that gives viewers a detailed look into the ideation, construction, and impact of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on the city of Atlanta. And then he came up to my suite afterward and it was like 10, 15 minutes later, his face was just full of tears and he said that he was so moved by it. Mercedes-Benz Stadium will also be home to Atlantas MLS team, Atlanta United FC. Stop making people feel so fearful. Friday on Political Rewind: Mary Rodgers grew up among some of Broadway's biggest names, from Sondheim to Bernstein. Scott Jensens Unanswered $15,000,000,000 Question. Its also part memoir of how his ethics evolved from watching his father run a neighborhood pharmacy in Queens, New York, to launching multi-billion dollar ventures. 17. They have no serious public, political advocates. I seriously doubt the leagues TV ratings or ad revenue would suffer an iota. I still remember this as if it was yesterday. The Atlanta Falcons new stadium is going to be beautiful. %PDF-1.4 Home Depot cofounders Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus have long been on separate sides of the fence when it comes to politics. But, we really could not have done it without great service, great pricing, and great product knowledge. On Thursday, Falcons owner Arthur Blank's foundation donated a five-year, $17 million grant to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The stadium boasts roughly 4,000 solar panels and will use 70 percent less energy. "Obviously, it's a tragic time in the history of the. How do you help repair the world if we can use that expression? However, peaceful protests really go back and look at the history of our country back to the Boston Tea Party. The portfolio includes nearly $10 million in grants to 12 nonprofits that represent a diverse set of organizations with a strong presence in Georgia and the Southeast. I would suggest, for anybody in business, that you listen to who you're serving. During the 2020 elections, Blank contributed $300,000 to Biden Victory Fund, $35,000 to the Democratic National Convention, and tens of thousands of dollars to state Democratic Party committees. ,> U#kw1%dHT6qZq]9Ki o You need to figure out something else to do for the rest of your life. And after a while, he said, Would you please shut up? And she never did. The Center for Election Innovation & Research (CEIR) mission is to ensure elections are secure, voters have confidence in election outcomes and democracy thrives as civic engagement grows. Political Donations: Blank has largely donated to Democratic causes, most notably: $32,400 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in 2013; $28,500 to the Obama Victory Fund in '08; and. Porn Star Pay Offs, Inciting Insurrection, Sexual Assaults, Bank Fraud, Election Conspiracy and FoxNews v. Dominion. Team owner Arthur Blank, who has high expectations for the franchise, sat down with FOX 5 Atlanta one-on-one to talk football, philanthropy, and Kanye West. You know, better than in the 40s and 50s, but not where we should be. But Blank regularly speaks on business school campuses, where future leaders and executives tell him they are anxious about the environment, the wealth gap, racial and gender inequities, and a litany of examples of corporate malfeasance. And they love the camaraderie. The largest donor was Falcons owner Arthur Blank. A message sent to Arthur Blank from President Obama in 2018, thanking him for his commitment to affordability at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium after Blank cut concession prices by 50%. Think about How do I listen to the people that are actually trying to serve and how do we put results in place that would give them the very best chance for equality and for success and for fair treatment? And I think we have to strive more for that. So, that represents that melting-pot philosophy: Were all in this together. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Wednesday he is encouraged by the progress of quarterback Desmond Ridder and the potential of building around the rookie. So, I would say it was very successful. 9. Good Company is billed as a visionary road-map for creating successful businesses. It's our job is to serve the American people and I think we need to have more focus on that.". /Height 155 He owns the team, after all. The next thing is making sure you exercise your political bully power and going to local elections and beating up the politicians you dont like., It is time to beat up prosecutors you dont like at the voting booth. 1, I think at that time I didn't probably fully appreciate the environment, the communities and neighborhood that Michael was raised in, an area called New Newport News. Georgia businessman Arthur Blank joins with voting groups on Democracy Class Atlanta The Jolt: Arthur Blank teams with voting groups to forge 'Democracy Class Atlanta' Caption Credit:. But he was there and he finally said, Listen, you own the franchise, you have the option. He received his MBA from Harvard. /ca 1.0 260 14th St. NW /Width 625 The book lays out a set of values that guided him to turn around the struggling Atlanta Falcons NFL team, launch the Atlanta United FC soccer club and build the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. But it's really not a story about dogfighting. Looting is NOT THE ANSWER!!! "His approach obviously is different. a guy regularly reviled by sportswriters, players and fans as a (very wealthy) toxic idiot. The pair always strove to create a work environment that put people before politics, said Blank. The guest. RELATED:Georgia Secretary of State calls many election changes 'solid'. Blank writes about being teased for having a stutter. Our history of voting rights is a constant struggle, a repetitive cycle of expansion followed by restriction. So the answer would be yes. But he was. He and an associate, Bernie Marcus, began experimenting with product discounts in one Handy Dan outlet and observed positive effects of decreasing costs as a percentage of sales and an increase in customer volume. A documentary surrounding Brian Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian's surrogacy journey is set to air on RT on March 13. The organization works directly with election officials to maintain accurate and complete voter lists and to secure their election technology infrastructure. We Have Every Reason To Expect a Lot More from the NFL, no promises that it will reveal everything it has found out. In recent years Atlantas sports teams have attracted controversies that have highlighted the racial disparities that still largely define the city. Animals and Pets Anime Art Cars and Motor Vehicles Crafts and DIY Culture, Race, and Ethnicity Ethics and Philosophy Fashion Food and Drink History Hobbies Law Learning and Education Military Movies Music Place Podcasts and Streamers Politics Programming Reading, Writing, and Literature Religion and Spirituality Science Tabletop Games . And to be sure, Atlanta is better than what we saw in the actions of a few last night. But I know that his essence, at his heart and his soul, is a really good person that cares deeply about humanity. 5) No. Though the 78-year-old who's now the owner of the Atlanta Falcons NFL team was aware of their political differences, he said it never had any bearing on their shared values. The latest of Blank's many charitable endeavors is aimed at helping the museum expand its reach. I have what's called a veil state, or I am a stutterer. So we had 35, 40 players kneeling before that, after that speech, we had close to 300 players kneeling because they took it personally and their families took it personally and their parents and their siblings and their grandparents and their heritage was being challenged. There's no place for looting and stealing and whatever else. And at the top of that is who is being served comes first. It's hard to believe. /AIS false 1 2 . Opponents of the bill argue it's too restrictive and targets minority voters. It doesn't mean we agree on everything, we don't, but that's healthy," he said. Kirk Cousins Failed His Character Test, But the NFL Gives Him Its Highest Award for Character Anyway, Bidens Junk Fee Fight Should Include Broders Deli as Well as Las Vegas. /CreationDate (D:20210314125741+02'00') And then he worked in the laundry. Theres a revelation of Blank stumbling dazedly into a parking lot after being abruptly forced out of Home Depot in 2001, and his devastation after the Falcons epic 2017 loss in the Super Bowl. Were usually very happy to talk, very happy to share our opinions and what have you I have enough humility to understand that the people were serving know better. And my mother was giving him a lecture saying, You realize this is not what your parents would want you to do. We believe that voting rights are critically important, and our home state of Georgia is at the center of the struggle. Like all stories meant to inspire, he takes some knocks. He would say, I don't need to be cut any slack, you know. Given its footprint, we have good rights to expect a lot more from this monolith. United States, Copyright 2023, Georgia Public Broadcasting. But what, I ask, would be the effect of a dozen or so top current and former stars, coaches and league executives stepping up to a camera and telling pro footballs millions (and millions) of fans to get vaccinated for the sake of other people like the season ticket holders sitting next to them if not themselves? Now, there's no place for violent protest. Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta is the first nonprofit legal advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) and Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian (AMEMSA) communities in Georgia and the Southeast. And now their story is a page-turning novel. The 79-year-old co-founder of Atlanta-based The Home Depot . Ticket pricing was higher than it could have been or should have been at that time, and so I brought Dick Sullivan over from Home Depot, the gentleman who now runs our PGA Superstores and we came up with a strategy that we've got to sell season's tickets for $100. I think when the president [Donald Trump] in the fall of 2017 commented during his speech in Alabama about I don't want to use the words, you know what they were but he termed the players that were kneeling, in my view, in a very derogatory way. This isnt just a short-cut, this is a long-term play with significant input and investment into the community and its future, said Scott Jenkins, the general manager of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, to The Daily Beast. And I love him. I mean, it wasn't like, You're Republican or Democrat. Steve Bullock, and the Democratic National Committee, to name a few, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission. endobj Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is married to Angela Macuga, his third wife. I think back when I lived in a neighborhood, you know, a small neighborhood, when my mother and dad were alive, we all took care of each other. A number of events over the last couple of weeks have reminded us again that the long, worthy quest for equal justice, civility and unity in America is far from over. You're going to get a lot of your fellow owners really pissed. So, you know, soccer is on the ascent in the United States dramatically, which is a great thing. But tell me what I can do to help? And they said, Well, you know, the reality is about 40% of our stadium is empty. The statement reads: "We are at our very best. He had three children with his first wife Diana Blank, whom he divorced in 1993. Together we will rise above this on the strength of what has always made Atlanta great its people, its leaders of past and present and its unique culture that is welcoming to all. /Subtype /Image His professional team Atlanta United FC brought professional soccer to Atlanta beginning in 2017. 15, Two of Blanks children, Dena Kimball and Kenny Blank, sit on the board of directors of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. That Vote for Secretary of State? Nationality: United States Executive summary: Co-Founder of Home Depot. Arthur Blank on NFL kneelers: 'Players have no interest in being disrespectful to flag' Political Insider By Jim Galloway, Political Insider Trump is apparently referencing a highly sourced. Copyright 2023 InfluenceWatch. People are scared and in pain. We were living in a single-bedroom apartment in Queens. Yeah, It Could Have Been Worse. Arthur Blank talks sensible gun reform. And we need to figure out, you know, how do we move past that and how do we learn from that and how do we get connected with our current reality? Arthur Blank co-founded the Home Depot in the late 1970s after being fired from a regional hardware store chain in Southern California. "He cares deeply about giving back and making a difference in people's lives. So, then we opened up The Home Depot. One of the beauties is that when you come to the stadium, it feels like it's the United Nations. Blank and Marcus put their discounting experiment to the test in their own brand of warehouse stores called Home Depot and opened the first two Atlanta-area stores in 1979. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Blank who grew up in New York City said he believes the US is going through one of the most tumultuous times in its history.
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