IMPROVING CHANCES OF SUCCESS FOR 21ST CENTURY ENTREPRENEURS
Georgia is the #1 state in the U.S. for business for the seventh year in a row (Site Selection, 2019).
Our Events
In conjunction with the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute, we offer competitions, a speaker series and other programming to help educate students, alumni and other members of the Atlanta entrepreneurial community. The H.J. Russell Center supports three bi-annual events:
Influential Speaker Series
The H.J. Russell Center Influential Speaker Series engages and inspires Georgia State entrepreneurs by featuring a prominent entrepreneur who shares compelling stories and insights.
Business Model Competition
The H.J. Russell Center Business Model Competition and networking event is open to students enrolled in ENI 3101.
Motivational Author Talk
The H.J. Russell Center Motivational Author Talk connects award-winning authors to the Georgia State community to share their experiences and tips for today’s entrepreneurs.
About Herman J. Russell
What Makes an Atlanta Legend?
Herman J. Russell Sr.
In Herman Russell’s case it has been someone who has changed not only the physical landscape of the city, but also its overall community. His company, H.J. Russell & Co., is responsible for the construction of some of the city’s most well-known structures such as the Georgia Dome, Turner Field, Philips Arena and Georgia Pacific Tower, just to name a few.
In 1963, Russell became the first black member and then later the second black president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He also worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and became an outspoken patron of the civil rights movement.
Russell’s Philanthropy
Along with his success, Russell grew more philanthropic, donating $1 million each to his alma mater, Tuskegee University, along with Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Georgia State University. Georgia State used the gift to create the Herman J. Russell Center for Entrepreneurship.
All of these outstanding achievements contributed to Russell being honored with Business to Business‘ Atlanta Legend Award. The following quotes pertain to Russell’s dramatic impact on Atlanta and come from some of Atlanta’s most well-known names.
Herman Russell’s Impact on Atlanta
“You don’t meet many individuals who have impacted as many lives as Mr. Russell,” says former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. “He works every day to enhance the livability and success of the city through his development of outstanding communities and businesses. His tenacity and work ethic have made him one of the greatest business and entrepreneurial leaders not only in Atlanta but around the world.”
Arthur Blank, the 2010 Atlanta Rotary Business to Business Legend, says of Russell, “Herman’s legacy extends well beyond the landmark physical structures he’s helped to create. It’s as much about how he’s done it — through relationships and partnerships he’s forged and the strength of leadership he’s shown through the years, all of which have had an enormous influence in helping Atlanta fulfill its promise. Much of what we’ve achieved as a city wouldn’t have been possible without him.”
Sam Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, says Russell always has played a key role in the city’s success. “Herman is one of the great bridge builders for business, civic and racial cooperation, a characteristic that distinguishes Atlanta from any other city.”
Honorary Alumnus Award
Russell received Robinson’s Honorary Alumnus Award in 2007.
Herman J. Russell Sr. died on Nov. 15, 2014.
Recent Events
As Georgia State University enters into its 20th year of support from the Herman J. Russell family, the Fall 2019 Business Model Competition, hosted by the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute’s H.J. Russell Center, proved to be a special night for our student entrepreneurs.
A year to the date from his release of Time to Get Tough, Michael Coles’ memoir offers a glimpse of his experiences as Co-Founder of Great American Cookies and former CEO of Caribou Coffee. The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute was honored to host this accomplished entrepreneur, philanthropist and author through the H.J. Russell Center for Entrepreneurship Motivational Author Talk.
With finals being the only thing separating students from summer, it should be no surprise that excitement was high at the Spring 2019 H.J. Russell Center for Entrepreneurship (HJRCE) Business Model Competition. Seven qualifying students from ENI 3101 pitched their business ideas as the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.
As Georgia State University enters into its 20th year of support from the Herman J. Russell family, the Fall 2019 Business Model Competition, hosted by the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute’s H.J. Russell Center, proved to be a special night for our student entrepreneurs.
A year to the date from his release of Time to Get Tough, Michael Coles’ memoir offers a glimpse of his experiences as Co-Founder of Great American Cookies and former CEO of Caribou Coffee. The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute was honored to host this accomplished entrepreneur, philanthropist and author through the H.J. Russell Center for Entrepreneurship Motivational Author Talk.
With finals being the only thing separating students from summer, it should be no surprise that excitement was high at the Spring 2019 H.J. Russell Center for Entrepreneurship (HJRCE) Business Model Competition. Seven qualifying students from ENI 3101 pitched their business ideas as the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.
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