But he was. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images), WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), >> Go home. 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. Prior to the construction of the Georgia Dome they played at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium with the Atlanta Braves, and you could see the spot where Hank Aaron surpassed Babe Ruth in home runs. They said it would take an act of courage on your part to go out on the field and and to be recognized. And, you know, people stood up! I want you to talk to 10 of your friends. In their sixth season of Major League Soccer, the Five Stripes bring some new faces onto the field this year. << And Ambassador Young, another good friend would say the same thing. America has long struggled to deliver a fair and equitable democracy to all of its citizens. But, we really could not have done it without great service, great pricing, and great product knowledge. 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. Blank retired from the company in 2001 as co-chairman. I mean, I was stuttering when I was senior class president, [and in] student government. 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. Left to right: Dennis Ross, Arthur Blank, Bernie Marcus, Pat Farrah, Ron Brill. Brian Kemp signed SB 202 into law. 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. Marcus handed the CEO reigns to Blank in 1997; Blank held the position until a new president and CEO was hired in 2000. I have many friends who are no longer fervent Braves supporters. It's an inverted pyramid that speaks to our whole orientation and all of our businesses today. And they love the camaraderie. Arthur Blank, owner of Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, co-founder of Home Depot . He had a gun on his lap, sitting on his right thigh. !, Do not fall for this foolishness!!! Arthur Blank co-founded the Home Depot in the late 1970s after being fired from a regional hardware store chain in Southern California. And that's it. The Falcons were the first pro football team in the South, founded during the civil rights era in 1965. 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. So it really never defined me. 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. So, that represents that melting-pot philosophy: Were all in this together. Do it in November. And to be sure, Atlanta is better than what we saw in the actions of a few last night. How best to put it? 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. 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. 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. /Type /ExtGState And if I stop talking now for two minutes, you realize just how long two minutes is. The statement reads: "We are at our very best. Like all stories meant to inspire, he takes some knocks. 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. Its more like cowardly, and meatheaded. As I've said, 95% of my estate is going to be recycled back through our foundations and they will provide their insights and their leadership and their views and values that their father and their mothers would be very proud of. 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. And my mother was giving him a lecture saying, You realize this is not what your parents would want you to do. Shrinking from conflict over something as valid, real and life-protecting as a vaccine is not what Id call, manly, brave, courageous or patriotic. And now their story is a page-turning novel. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. /Height 155 Student Loan Forgiveness and The Ghost of John Kline, (Who?). 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. Blank spent 19 years as the company's president before succeeding Marcus as CEO. I concede, as others who know him personally have, that Im stunned that a guy like Gruden who has been a high-profile media/cultural presence for over 20 years, regularly giving live interviews, chewing up air time as a TV analyst and obliging all the other requests for personal contact that go with being a football celebritry could conceal his essential meat-headedness so long and so well. At the end of the day, you can have differences of opinion, which is a great thing to have, and different approaches, which is a great thing to have. 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%. This is not a protest. Blank also owns Atlantas Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a sports and entertainment facility valued at $1.5 billion that hosted the 2019 Super Bowl. But in any event, that was part of just being a good listener. There was a six-year period in there, when things went a little south. Dueling Visions for Minnesota: Scandinavia or South Dakota? The Atlanta Falcons new stadium is going to be beautiful. He just opened the door. /CreationDate (D:20210314125741+02'00') So, then we opened up The Home Depot. 17. CEIR works to build voter trust and confidence, increase voter participation and improve the efficiency of election administration. ", It is your duty not to burn your own house down for anger with an enemy We have to be better than this moment. Home Depot cofounders Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus have long been on separate sides of the fence when it comes to politics. Arthur Blank greets a crowd of cheering Atlanta United fans in 2017. 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. In 1978, both he and future Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank were fired during a corporate power struggle at Handy Dan. Link Copied! endobj 13 Diana is a left-of-center philanthropist based in Atlanta and anonymously contributed several high-profile donations in the area including a $4 million gift to the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra as well as a nearly $20 million gift to Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta. 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. How do you help repair the world if we can use that expression? And there are two [robbers] and they want to know, "Where's the money, where's the cash?" Yet the team continues to unite Atlantans during the ups and downs. And part of that is reducing our environmental impact.. /BitsPerComponent 8 I said, Paul? Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz j"[p!d~oB?1].drwe GM]/v2q3^u[\ /. Hey, Senate DFLers, Dont Forget The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact! 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. 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. They all have a great set of eyes and they're all different. Atlanta Falcons employees are most likely to be members of the Republican 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 have what's called a veil state, or I am a stutterer. 2, In the late 1970s, Arthur Blank was an officer at Handy Dan, a regional hardware store chain in Southern California. And the great political leaders in the past, they were civil and they were good listeners. 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. He owns the team, after all. Not about dogfighting. Young you are. 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. Additionally in 2014, the Atlanta Braves announced that they were building a new stadium outside the city in the northern suburbs, and leaving Turner Field, which was originally the site of Centennial Olympic Stadium for the 1996 summer games. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! I mean, it doesn't make a difference how old you are. 15, Two of Blanks children, Dena Kimball and Kenny Blank, sit on the board of directors of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. And whether, you know, be it Dr. King or, a great friend to America and a great leader, Congressman Lewis, [who] was a great personal friend of mine and served our country beautifully, would say peaceful nonviolent protest is how we that's how we make progress. Falcons owner Arthur Blank spoke with reporters during a 10-minute teleconference from the Super Bowl. I seriously doubt the leagues TV ratings or ad revenue would suffer an iota. The foundation is . . So that was a low price a lower price than before Michael Vick the star quarterback was born 22 years before that. JFIF K K C And I love him. We Have Every Reason To Expect a Lot More from the NFL, no promises that it will reveal everything it has found out. In his new book, Good Company, Blank follows his own success to show that purpose and profit can and should coexist. The Blank foundation also emphasizes environmental sustainability and aims to support programs that foster this message in the Westside. 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. So when we started, MLS was ranked like 22nd among all the leagues in the world. /Title ( A r t h u r b l a n k p o l i t i c s) But Its All Too Familiar. So, I would say it was very successful. 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? The trouble is that the NFL is not coming clean on that investigation. In order to put this grinding pandemic behind us once and for all? Thats great. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. It's our job is to serve the American people and I think we need to have more focus on that.". 9, Blank is a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. Full statement from Arthur Blank: https://t.co/1lU870TGWa pic.twitter.com/0qejiahKKY, Please, please stop this violence!! 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. "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. Steve Bullock, and the Democratic National Committee, to name a few, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission. 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. 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. Because It Delivers Comfort, Status and Cash. Which country do you come from? One where guys like the Vikings Mark and Zygi Wilf and Arthur (Home Depot) Blank of the Atlanta Falcons come off as comparatively rational. But, you know, I needed to change my view on what I could give back and how it could be connected to other people.. And so from there, since the 2001- 2002 season, we've only had three games that were not sold out during the season. 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. We don't have any fans in our building, and this is what we plan on doing: We're going to, you know, promote season tickets for 100 bucks or $10 a ticket. And I remember waiting for, you know, probably two minutes. 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. His professional team Atlanta United FC brought professional soccer to Atlanta beginning in 2017. I had another NFL player, while [Vick] was in prison, come visit me and say I came from exactly the same neighborhood, but it was in a part of Pittsburgh. So sadly, Michael was raised in an environment where that was kind of normal behavior, if you will. I'm not sure how they're going to receive you. Blank also contributed $28,500 to the Obama Victory Fund in 2008. The views expressed here are the authors' alone, not necessarily the views of their clients, employers or families. 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?. And so he carries a weight of authority that somebody who's just called a suit and comes in and talks to them and doesn't quite feel the same, same way. And, you know, you see the blending of every type of person and personality you can imagine. All of us as human beings, I think need to do a much better job of being a good listener. In 1989, the company opened its 100th store. Brian and Arthur welcomed their daughter Blake into the world via Arthur's sister Aoife, who acted as a surrogate for the couple, back in September -- with Brian previously teasing the documentary before Blake's arrival. Despite being widowed at a young age, his mother managed the familys mail-order pharmaceutical business and sold it to a large retail conglomerate. Soon after, Blank met his third wife Angela Macuga whom he married in 2016 and later announced their plans to divorce in 2019. About Arthur Blank Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus cofounded Home Depot in 1978 after being fired from their jobs at a regional hardware store. Weve never won a Super Bowl, and this years loss in Super Bowl LI was especially hard to take. And he should know. You know, better than in the 40s and 50s, but not where we should be. GALEO strives for a better Georgia where the Latino community is engagedcivically, and its contributions and concerns are recognized. It is my hope that we take this terrible moment in our history to elevate that conversation toward productive action and lasting, positive change. Blank allowed the previous front office to make shortsighted moves that still are costing the. Their frustration is real, and it must be acknowledged and addressed. /Producer ( Q t 4 . 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. Enter your email address to be notified about new posts. So, we had great confidence in our own abilities. How could Trump possibly have lost re-election? Arthur Blank is firmly in Joe Biden's corner. This is chaos and were buying into it. 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. 2010-2023 Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Open, honest dialogue is needed on a much greater scale. Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with businessman Arthur Blank about gun regulation and philanthropy. 4 0 obj I love CNN, I love Cartoon Network. 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. The largest donor was Falcons owner Arthur Blank. My dad didn't look at who it was. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Arthur Blanks brother, Michael, and his father, Max, are photographed outside the OES Pharmacy family business, in 1940. 14, He also had three children with his second wife of 16 years, Stephanie Blank. 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. 8 In 2012, Blank signed the Giving Pledge and committed to giving more than half of his wealth away to philanthropic efforts in his lifetime. 6 Blank was the 2003 Chairman of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. 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. One of the beauties is that when you come to the stadium, it feels like it's the United Nations. The family foundation has already invested over $20 million into the surrounding community. How do I do my part in it? Blank is a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. 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. Kemp and the law's backers said it provides some common-sense reformsto ensure elections are secure. 6 0 obj 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. Were trying to do the exact opposite of that.. Pictured is the famous napkin deal that sealed Arthur Blanks agreement with Taylor Smith to purchase the Atlanta Falcons for $545 million in 2001. Those come first. 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. It's the customers. More must be done to address systemic racism. Founded in 2010 as the Asian American Legal Advocacy Center (AALAC), the organization became part of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation in 2014. That was in 1979. 3 0 obj Your support makes this possible. Can We Please Kill Off the Tipping Mumbo-Jumbo? It's hard to believe. They were trying to indicate that what the military had fought for these rights, the civil rights, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, etc. 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:. Friday on Political Rewind: Mary Rodgers grew up among some of Broadway's biggest names, from Sondheim to Bernstein. This is not in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Founded in 2010 as the Asian American Legal Advocacy Center (AALAC), the organization became part of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation in 2014. 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 . /SA true 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 Georgia Dome was also built for the Olympics, and construction for Philips Arenathe Hawks home, which sits next door to the Dome and where the previous basketball arena, the Omni Colosseum, once satbegan in 1997. And at the top of that is who is being served comes first. 1 2 . I was gagged. Blank donated another $35,500 to the Democratic National Committee, according to Federal Election Commission filings. It Now Actually Matters, a Lot. /ca 1.0 I know you see my partner, Bernie, on Fox News very often. No, I'm not. The statement came about five days after Gov. But I know that his essence, at his heart and his soul, is a really good person that cares deeply about humanity. 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. And the core values that our forefathers drafted for us they weren't perfect, either, but in their own ways, they strove for those things. By Bob Bahr October 12, 2021, 5:48 pm. His percentage of giving back from his estate will be equal to mine and some of his philosophies don't exactly match mine. 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. For more information about Life Itself, visit the . We must not accept or condone violence in any way. So I think that part of that comes out of really being a good listener and responding to what you're hearing and trying to find a way to make things work for the benefit of everybody collaboratively. When you burn down this city, youre burning down our community., If you want change in America, go and register to vote. He released a statement five days after Gov. You know, dig in [your] heels and it becomes, "My territory, your territory," etc. We want to see the system that sets up for systemic racism burned to the ground. I mean, you know, all those things. Playoffs, playoff championships, etc. Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United owner Arthur M. Blank released a statement Monday on the importance of fair elections and democracy: "Free and fair elections are vital to the health of our. The stadium boasts roughly 4,000 solar panels and will use 70 percent less energy. 12, Blank has been married three times. 260 14th St. NW 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. %PDF-1.4 Blank, who is Jewish, also addressed the administration's failure to recognize the losses suffered by the Jewish people during the Holocaust. It is making no promises that it will reveal everything it has found out about the Redskins and others who had contact with the team. United States, Copyright 2023, Georgia Public Broadcasting. 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. 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.". Proceeds from sales of Good Companygo to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. But he did. that those rights were not being fully reflected in our society today. /Creator ( w k h t m l t o p d f 0 . Blank writes about being teased for having a stutter. ", CNN -- Ted [Turner] did a great thing. 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. No. RELATED:Georgia Secretary of State calls many election changes 'solid'. This is not the legacy of civil rights in America. The Falcons leadership knows how to play politics. 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. But the two subsequent CEOs the gentleman there today, Craig Minear, the CEO and president Ted Decker both live the culture. They all understand it's, you know, you have an opportunity to be here on Earth and how do you want to leave it?
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