Home Depot cofounder, Arthur Blank, is a longtime Democratic supporter and donated $250,000 to committees supporting Joe Biden between July and September in 2020, Another Home Depot cofounder, Bernie Marcus, is an. This must happen more than every four years, because theres no offseason for democracy. Blank donated another $35,500 to the Democratic National Committee, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Virginia Prescott is theGracie Award-winning host of On Second Thought for Georgia Public Broadcasting. I still remember this as if it was yesterday. 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. The Braves leaving town also represented an end to the multicultural hub in the heart of the city that was forged by those Olympics. 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. More must be done to bring people together through meaningful change. A co-founder of Home Depot increased his giving for children in the pandemic because, he said, "they don't always have the tools to deal with what's happened to them.". In a time when more than half of Americans are dissatisfied with the state of our democracy, the most powerful way to demonstrate and have our voices heard is through the vote. 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. Soccer fans don't want to feel like they go into a stadium and they're a second-class citizen citizen. It had to do with our set of values.". 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. 260 14th St. NW The Athletic's Felipe Crdenas joined Georgia Public Broadcasting's Orlando Montoya tohelp breakdown what fans can expect this year on and off the field. We had the option of going to a variety of companies, doing a variety of things in a traditional sense of management leadership. Playoffs, playoff championships, etc. ATLANTA - Falcons team owner Arthur Blank has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the team's final game of the regular season. Support more understanding and be better listeners trying to see how the other people, you know, try to stand in the footsteps of others. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. follow. Student Loan Forgiveness and The Ghost of John Kline, (Who?). If you go to a Home Depot shareholders meeting, they start out every single meeting for 42 years now with this value wheel that we developed. She was a woman of great principle, great personal authority. 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. Arthur Blanks brother, Michael, and his father, Max, are photographed outside the OES Pharmacy family business, in 1940. Our family foundation seeks to preserve and strengthen our democracy, and weve chosen this as one of our new collective areas of giving. Friday on Political Rewind: Mary Rodgers grew up among some of Broadway's biggest names, from Sondheim to Bernstein. !, And listen to me, be careful where you are getting your information to JOIN protests!! 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. And so he speaks to people throughout the United States, young people primarily, about that. 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. If you sit in your homes instead of burning your home to the ground, you will have time to properly plot, plan, strategize and organize and mobilize in effective ways., Two of the most effective ways is first taking your butt to the computer and making sure you fill out your census so that people know who you are and where you are. His faith is very strong. We believe that voting rights are critically important, and our home state of Georgia is at the center of the struggle. I listen to what he says and sometimes I'll cringe. So, I think the great political leaders and the great spiritual leaders, in my view, have always, always opened up their arms and included everybody. %PDF-1.4 I mean, people were throwing tea off those boats because they were protesting, you know. 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. 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. 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. The ones in Atlanta on Friday started off peaceful but later turned into violent demonstrations and looting of local businesses. /Height 155 /BitsPerComponent 8 I mean, it wasn't like, You're Republican or Democrat. (Airlines resisting vaccination mandates for passengers are another prime example of failure of true leadership.) Now it's ranked like seventh. I want you guys to come up with real solutions. It's hard to believe. Here, using insidegov.com's database, are the disclosed political donations* for majority NFL owners dating back to the 2008 election. /AIS false And how do I put my shoulder to the wheel and lead by example and take the blessings of all the resources that our family. But, you know, I needed to change my view on what I could give back and how it could be connected to other people.. They all have a great set of values. And my mother was giving him a lecture saying, You realize this is not what your parents would want you to do. 16 Blanks son, Kenny Blank, also sits on the foundations board and is the executive director of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. We Present You Trumps Deposition, More or Less Verbatim. The wealthy propose tax increases on the poor and middle class to pay for their new stadiums, and they claim that new businesses flocking to the area will magically cover the costs. "People are coming from different places, which is okay, but it's not okay when they're disrespectful; it's not okay when they're not kind. ", It is your duty not to burn your own house down for anger with an enemy We have to be better than this moment. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. What I Learned Over One Cup of Coffee Yesterday Morning, You Want to Laugh at Liz Truss and The Brits. This is not in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. 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. They survived. They all live life with purpose. The Gruden e-mails were leaked from a (way too) long-running investigation of the toxic (i.e. Generally speaking they dont do a lot to lift up the communities and neighborhoods around them. Now, the last game we had in the Georgia Dome before we moved to Mercedes Benz Stadium in August of 2017, wewere honoring all of our ring of honor members and he was one of them. And I love him. All Rights Reserved. Resistance to Artificial Intelligence (AI) is Futile. Arthur Blank is worried that capitalism is getting a bad rap. And so he's used that time since he got out of prison and giving back to community, speaking to young people. I was gagged. So, you know, we understood that our culture had nothing to do with which party you are affiliated with. They're a PR's dream because they rarely say the wrong thing. The Atlanta Falcons new stadium is going to be beautiful. In 2014 it emerged that Bruce Levenson, who owned the NBAs Atlanta Hawks, had written an email that amongst other things theorized that the black crowd [at Philips Arena] scared away the whites, adding for good measure: I have even bitched that the kiss cam is too black. Levenson later that year sold his stake in the franchise, and the Hawks have worked hard to win back their black audience. It is time to hold mayoral offices accountable, chiefs and deputy chiefs. These are the kinds of people we need in leadership today, not thinking about red, blue, purple. Scott Jensens Dramatic Fall Shows Ads Still Matter. In recent years Atlantas sports teams have attracted controversies that have highlighted the racial disparities that still largely define the city. GALEO strives for a better Georgia where the Latino community is engagedcivically, and its contributions and concerns are recognized. You know, dig in [your] heels and it becomes, "My territory, your territory," etc. Show up at the polls on June 9. Falcons owner Arthur Blank spoke with reporters during a 10-minute teleconference from the Super Bowl. Born on September 27, 1942, Blank owns the Atlanta, Georgia sports teams - the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL and Atlanta United of the MLS. /Length 7 0 R We need to recognize those truths. My dad didn't look at who it was. Low Expectations and Dark Hopes for the New Year, Minnesotas Wealthiest Social Security Beneficiaries Shouldnt Be First in Line for Help, Time to Limit HOAs Solar Panel Policing Powers, Pop Quiz: How Many People Actually Know Whats Going On?. Kemp and the law's backers said it provides some common-sense reformsto ensure elections are secure. 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. 6 Blank was the 2003 Chairman of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. 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. https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Arthur%2BBlank&contributor_employer=The%2BArthur&two_year_transaction_period=2016&contributor_state=GA, https://www.ajc.com/news/local/molly-blank-strong-widow-grew-successful-business-sons/JMYrzmcGsGc4nXD58rqltJ/, https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/197614, https://corporate.homedepot.com/sites/default/themes/thd/images/timeline/History-Of-The-Home-Depot.pdf, https://www.forbes.com/profile/arthur-blank/?sh=ae7b330749c3, https://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/front-office-roster/arthur-blank, https://blankfoundation.org/trustee/arthur-m-blank/, https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/statement-from-arthur-blank-on-georgia-voting-rights, https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/04/11/companies-voting-bills-states/, https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/arthur-blank-wife-angela-are-getting-a-divorce/897352464/, https://saportareport.com/a-longtime-anonymous-donor-reveals-her-identity/sections/abcarticles/maria_saporta/, https://blankfoundation.org/trustee/dena-kimball/, https://blankfoundation.org/trustee/kenny-blank/. << One of the beauties is that when you come to the stadium, it feels like it's the United Nations. I've always believed that the circumstances around me might change, but these core values, which we discuss in the book, they're not mine, they really belong to all of us. However, many Americans are still being denied access to their vote and their ability to fully participate in our democracy. Dueling Visions for Minnesota: Scandinavia or South Dakota? Blank is a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. So, long story short, I think, is that we should recognize the past, understand the progress we have made. I do know it is hard. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! /Subtype /Image << %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz The Falcons' owner, Arthur Blank, the co-founder of Home Depot with a net worth of $3 billion, at first glance certainly fits the bill of your standard billionaire athletic team owner. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Blank allowed the previous front office to make shortsighted moves that still are costing the. 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. The Home Depot co-founder, Arthur Blank, candidly shares details of an impromptu meeting in an airport hangar when he was asked to step down, the company's short-term mistake of replacing him. In 1978, both he and future Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank were fired during a corporate power struggle at Handy Dan. Lawlessness, vandalism and intentionally upending the peace with any form of violence has never been productive and is not the answer. I look at my six children, Batch 1, Batch 2, and, you know, they go from age 19 to age 52, if I have it right. The Falcons owner, Arthur Blank, the co-founder of Home Depot with a net worth of $3 billion, at first glance certainly fits the bill of your standard billionaire athletic team owner. And, you know, living in poverty, we had friends coming by all the time and what have you. No. Kimball previously served as the vice president of network support at Teach for All. We dont have the answers, but we are committed to listening and responding to the people who have made this their lifes work and to the citizens they serve. But I would keep raising my hand. Expand. 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. We are better than this We are better than this as a country. And if all goes to plan, its also going to help a depressed community thats heard big talk before. I mean, I was stuttering when I was senior class president, [and in] student government. 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. It starts with respect. endobj Blank also owns Atlantas Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a sports and entertainment facility valued at $1.5 billion that hosted the 2019 Super Bowl. So, you know, soccer is on the ascent in the United States dramatically, which is a great thing. Open, honest dialogue is needed on a much greater scale. 4, Blank purchased the NFLs Atlanta Falcons for more than $540 million shortly after stepping down as CEO of Home Depot. I mean, you write a book like this, it's really getting into kind of the political arena. Through their work, we envision a social movement in which communities of color are fully empowered, active in civic life, and working together to promote equity, fair treatment, and self determination for all. The statement reads: "We are at our very best. Organizations also called to move The Masters, which begins April 8. Like many other enormous corporations the NFL, selling a slick, bristling mix of testosterone and patriotism, ducks away from anything with a whiff of political conflict. They all understand it's, you know, you have an opportunity to be here on Earth and how do you want to leave it? And they love that. Bernardo Little . /CA 1.0 And that's an example of the happiness that we're talking about. Atlanta Falcons vNew Orleans Saints 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. Marcus has been an outspoken Donald Trump devotee throughout both the 2016 and 2020 elections, donating $7 million to Trump's campaign four years ago. The latest of Blank's many charitable endeavors is aimed at helping the museum expand its reach. A protest has purpose. Their frustration is real, and it must be acknowledged and addressed. He also goes public about the pain of learning of Michael Vicks role in an illegal dogfighting ring, along with other ups and downs in a life of unimaginable financial success. They have no serious public, political advocates. He's done a lot of work in terms of animal rights, which has been great and been appreciated by all of those agencies and all those institutions. And today that's 2,200 stores in Canada, United States and Mexico probably have a market capitalization today of about $300 billion. 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) With Enemies Like Scott Jensen, Who Needs Friends? Now 78, he is largely beloved in Georgia as an entrepreneur, owner of two professional sports teams and a prolific philanthropist. 15, Two of Blanks children, Dena Kimball and Kenny Blank, sit on the board of directors of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. How best to put it? (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images), WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), >> Go home. And if I stop talking now for two minutes, you realize just how long two minutes is. I went to a small business school outside of Boston called Babson College I would always sit in the front because I always wanted to pay attention and learn. 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. He shares how he and Bernie Marcus were brusquely fired from executive positions at Handy Dan Home Improvement Stores the humiliating inflection point that led the pair to create The Home Depot. I love CNN, I love Cartoon Network. Georgia Public Radio GPTV, a 2019 Report from the EJI documents more than 4440 racial terror lynchings in the U.S. between 1877 and 1950], National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Political Rewind: Theater critic Jesse Green remembers Mary Rodgers in 'Shy', Longtime nature writer Janisse Ray delivers gripping debut novel, At new season kickoff, Atlanta United looks for fresh start on the field. 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. Atlanta Falcons employees are most likely to be members of the Republican Party. Were trying to do the exact opposite of that.. He owns the team, after all. In order to put this grinding pandemic behind us once and for all? 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. 2010-2023 Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. I have many friends who are no longer fervent Braves supporters. And at the top of that is who is being served comes first. And we've had a very successful team for the first threeand-a-half years this year. Blank's statement did not specify any initiatives or call any elected officials or political parties by name. And that's all part of his story of redemption and his story of being a changed person. 1, Arthur Blank was born to Molly and Max Blank in Queens, New York. 03/03/2023. Arthur M. Blank is responsible for the sorry state of the Falcons. [Thats] something that I talk about in the book, which most people are not aware of. 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. /SMask /None>> In 2022, they plan to connect with over 1 million voters/ potential voters through phone banking, text banking, in-person canvassing events, and going door to door. However, the Atlanta Falcons new home, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, may foster a new era of stadium construction and community engagement. 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. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Arthur Blank talks sensible gun reform. Home Depot cofounder, Arthur Blank, is a longtime Democratic supporter and donated $250,000 to committees supporting Joe Biden between July and September in 2020, Forbes reported. But go ahead and do it, if that's what you want. So we did it. These are not political issues, they are human issues that need serious, earnest attention from leaders and citizens alike who understand that diversity is our strength and fair treatment is everyones right. The Number of White Teachers About to Get Fired is Exactly Zero. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is married to Angela Macuga, his third wife. Blank told Business Insider that despite their political differences, their different leanings never got in the way of their ability to work together as partners or as friends. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Georgia Secretary of State calls many election changes 'solid', study by ESPN and FiveThirtyEight in October 2020, too restrictive and targets minority voters, Cobb leader says moving MLB All-Star game in protest would hurt business, Democrats dispute police report in Georgia lawmakers arrest, Civil rights groups file new lawsuit over Georgia voting law, Photos show rescue of Woodstock man 'buried up to his neck' in collapsed trench, Frederick, MD tanker explosion leaves 1 dead; Shuts down part of US-15, Sheriff's office continues five-year-long search for missing Carrollton man, Georgia baby girl reported missing with man diagnosed with mental illness, police say, Jesse Wilson: Adoptive mother arrested in boy's death in Arizona, Clayton County twin sisters make history rising the ranks in Georgia UPS facility, Alex Murdaugh killed wife, son to buy time, prosecutor says, UGA football star Jalen Carter facing charges in fatal crash: What we know, Young Thug trial: Judge orders probe of leaked evidence, Families intensify search for two men missing for more than a week. A reckless high-profile meathead, now out the $60 million remaining on his contract. Both John Lewis John, just a month before he passed away and Andy Young have said to me that we do have to recognize that things are better than they used to be. 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. And they found ways to get things done with people who had a little bit a different view but found that commonality that was really important. Blank credits his mother with giving him his first lesson in entrepreneurship. We had a different leader [Robert Nardelli ] in place that was eventually replaced. We sit down with New York Times theater critic Jesse Green to discuss Rodgers' autobiography, Shy. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. But Its All Too Familiar. It's the customers. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. During the 2020 elections, Blank contributed $300,000 to the Biden Victory Fund, $35,000 to the Democratic National Convention, and tens of thousands of dollars to state Democratic Party committees. And I remember him looking at me saying, If I told your mother what you just said, she would wash your mouth out with soap. But that was the last thing I said. Do it in November. So there wasn't a word on the other end of the phone. In 1989, the company opened its 100th store. He fielded multiple quarterback-related questions and spoke glowingly of Ridder, who. Michael Vicks published letter, Atlanta, nearly made a whole city cry on the eve of the Super Bowl. Please stop the violence!, Im not in Atlanta, but if I were I would have been standing with our Mayor! All the issues that Colin [Kaepernick] raised at that time [2016-2107] about the social injustice and lack of equality and equity in the criminal system and all those issues, I think they were real then and they're certainly real now. I said, Paul? Its more like cowardly, and meatheaded. Founded in 2010 as the Asian American Legal Advocacy Center (AALAC), the organization became part of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation in 2014. Is the Jensen-Birk Campaign Minnesotas WOAT? ATLANTA - Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United Owner Arthur Blank said Tuesday afternoon he believes voting should be made "easier, not harder for every eligible citizen" and his business and non-profit partners plan to support efforts to advance voting access. Home Depot cofounders Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus have long been on separate sides of the fence when it comes to politics. Our history of voting rights is a constant struggle, a repetitive cycle of expansion followed by restriction. That coming the day before the New York Times dropped the bomb(s) about Gruden calling the NFL commissioner a faggot, ripping the leagues concussion protocols, (in other words, Grudens pro-concussion) and trading nudie pictures of cheerleaders. But, you know, I think the word civility is terribly important today in the political world in which we just don't see it the way we need to see it. So in this case, we were coming back from a game after the team had played in St. Louis against the old St. Louis Rams theyre now in L.A. and instead of riding in the front of the plane with the coaches and managers, I sat in the back with the players. 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. He's committed to his wife now, his children. 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. 12, Blank has been married three times. 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. >> This is not the legacy of civil rights in America. << Why Is Doc Jensen Still So Obsessed With His Long-Disproven COVID Claims? He notes pervasive cynicism about corporate leaders and perceptions that the drive for profit comes at the expense of public good.
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