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. And today that's 2,200 stores in Canada, United States and Mexico probably have a market capitalization today of about $300 billion. The family foundation has already invested over $20 million into the surrounding community. Another Home. And the great political leaders in the past, they were civil and they were good listeners. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. 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. 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. You're going to get a lot of your fellow owners really pissed. I mean, it doesn't make a difference how old you are. I know you see my partner, Bernie, on Fox News very often. Home Depot cofounders Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus have long been on separate sides of the fence when it comes to politics. 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. 3, By 1981, Home Depots stock went public and raised over $4 million. When you find common solutions that work for everybody and [are] respectful of everybody to represent the best of you. The guest. What Would Trump Steal That is So Ultra Top Secret and Why? 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. If you don't make good choices, you can end up being in really bad places. Scott Jensens Dramatic Fall Shows Ads Still Matter. It doesn't mean we agree on everything, we don't, but that's healthy," he said. Our democracy is made stronger when we hear from all Americans on the issues of our day whether they be national or local. Arthur Blank Archives - Wry Wing PoliticsWry Wing Politics But you want your core values to be the same, ideally. 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. I mean, you write a book like this, it's really getting into kind of the political arena. Arthur Blank: I was fired from Home Depot - YouTube The system has worked well for the multi-billionaire and co-founder of The Home Depot. Blank, who is Jewish, also addressed the administration's failure to recognize the losses suffered by the Jewish people during the Holocaust. Atlanta Falcons employees are most likely to be members of the Republican Party. Peaceful protests of the past have led to new ways forward. Arthur Blank on NFL kneelers: 'Players have no interest in being 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. Founded in 2010 as the Asian American Legal Advocacy Center (AALAC), the organization became part of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation in 2014. They're a PR's dream because they rarely say the wrong thing. 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. Can We Please Kill Off the Tipping Mumbo-Jumbo? Where did your parents come from with your grandparents? We all came from someplace else, other than the other Native Americans. /SM 0.02 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. 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. And part of that is reducing our environmental impact.. Organizations also called to move The Masters, which begins April 8. Thats great. 15, Two of Blanks children, Dena Kimball and Kenny Blank, sit on the board of directors of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Arthur Blank greets a crowd of cheering Atlanta United fans in 2017. They all understand it's, you know, you have an opportunity to be here on Earth and how do you want to leave it? He owns the team, after all. Arthur Blank indicates that 2023 season is a must win for Arthur Smith To many Atlantans, myself included, leaving Turner Field was symbolic of the white flight that has defined the city since the 1960s. Arthur Blank is an American entrepreneur and a co-owner of the home improvement retail giant The Home Depot. Give them hope. Now it's ranked like seventh. authenticate users, apply security measures, and prevent spam and abuse, and, display personalised ads and content based on interest profiles, measure the effectiveness of personalised ads and content, and, develop and improve our products and services. It's an inverted pyramid that speaks to our whole orientation and all of our businesses today. Continued: https://t.co/yePGJUaGVV, Ive got a lot of love and respect for police officers., We dont want to see Targets burning. 5) All Rights Reserved. Statement from Arthur Blank on the 2020 election - Atlanta Falcons The trouble is that the NFL is not coming clean on that investigation. Our frontline associates and all those businesses come next. Porn Star Pay Offs, Inciting Insurrection, Sexual Assaults, Bank Fraud, Election Conspiracy and FoxNews v. Dominion. There's no place for looting and stealing and whatever else. "I think one of the things that is wrong with America today that we can work on and become better at is that we need to become better listeners to each other and we need to be better about understanding where people are coming from," Blank said. And, you know, you see the blending of every type of person and personality you can imagine. Their frustration is real, and it must be acknowledged and addressed. "So, you know, I love him. He had three children with his first wife Diana Blank, whom he divorced in 1993. Friday on Political Rewind: Mary Rodgers grew up among some of Broadway's biggest names, from Sondheim to Bernstein. Blank's statement did not specify any initiatives or call any elected officials or political parties by name. Blank is a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. And being a good listener, it's an art form that we all can possess. In recent years Atlantas sports teams have attracted controversies that have highlighted the racial disparities that still largely define the city. And next thing I know, he was sitting on his knees and with a gun to his head. So, I would say it was very successful. 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. The 79-year-old co-founder of Atlanta-based The Home Depot . Arthur Blank responsible for sorry state of Falcons - ajc Owner, Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. ', We have to be better than this moment. Atlanta rapper, advocate Killer Mike has message for protestors https://t.co/zb3oMHK7sx, "You are disgracing the life of George Floyd and every other person who has been killed in this country. With Enemies Like Scott Jensen, Who Needs Friends? Then I would not be bashful about asking questions. Arthur is committed to changing the narrative around sports stadiums, said Frank Fernandez, the VP of Community Development at The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, to The Daily Beast. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Bernardo Little . "He cares deeply about giving back and making a difference in people's lives. People are scared and in pain. . 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. If executed improperly, this stadium could continue a long line of broken promises for this blighted community. 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. There are nearly one million Latinos in Georgia, with one of the fastest growth rates of the Latino population in the nation. How best to put it? Home Depot Cofounder Arthur Blank on Politics, Supporting Biden He and his brother, Michael, were raised in a one-bedroom apartment. I suspect he had help. In 1978, both he and future Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank were fired during a corporate power struggle at Handy Dan. 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. Pictured is the famous napkin deal that sealed Arthur Blanks agreement with Taylor Smith to purchase the Atlanta Falcons for $545 million in 2001. 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. The system has worked well for the multi-billionaire and co-founder of The Home Depot. (Confidentiality, you know.) Who knows how successful theyll be, and many residents worry that economic growth could facilitate gentrification. 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. So, long story short, I think, is that we should recognize the past, understand the progress we have made. Blank donated another $35,500 to the Democratic National Committee, according to Federal Election Commission filings. /Length 7 0 R Arthur Blank is firmly in Joe Biden's corner. In a statement released on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Twitter account, attributed to Blank, he said Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation leadership conveyed his sentiment directly to state officials in recent weeks. Do it in November. Arthur Blank says Falcons are 'excited' about Desmond Ridder's play /Width 625 Playoffs, playoff championships, etc. What I Learned Over One Cup of Coffee Yesterday Morning, You Want to Laugh at Liz Truss and The Brits. Is the Jensen-Birk Campaign Minnesotas WOAT? The perceived linebetween politics and sports further blurred when Major League Baseball's union chief said players are ready to discuss moving the 2021 MLB All-Star Game out of Truist Park. Sign up to receive GPB Event announcements via Email. And it's all connected not only to associates, but to the communities in which we live and operate. 1 2 . Kemp and the law's backers said it provides some common-sense reformsto ensure elections are secure. 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. follow. Now 78, he is largely beloved in Georgia as an entrepreneur, owner of two professional sports teams and a prolific philanthropist. Yeah, It Could Have Been Worse. 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. Born on September 27, 1942, Blank owns the Atlanta, Georgia sports teams - the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL and Atlanta United of the MLS. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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. meathead) culture inside the team formerly known as the Washington Redskins. And there are two [robbers] and they want to know, "Where's the money, where's the cash?" RELATED:Georgia Secretary of State calls many election changes 'solid'. And so he's used that time since he got out of prison and giving back to community, speaking to young people. Open, honest dialogue is needed on a much greater scale. 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. 260 14th St. NW 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. United States, Copyright 2023, Georgia Public Broadcasting. Our Family Foundation and the rest of our businesses here in Atlanta and elsewhere remain committed to being part of the solution., Together for Atlanta. Arthur Blank, Atlanta Falcons - Sports Illustrated [Thats] something that I talk about in the book, which most people are not aware of. 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. Arthur Blank's Wives & Family: 5 Fast Facts | Heavy.com 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. 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 love him. It's good to be different, said Blank, but he said it's the intolerance of some that worries him about the future. Mercedes-Benz Stadium will also be home to Atlantas MLS team, Atlanta United FC. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. We believe that voting rights are critically important, and our home state of Georgia is at the center of the struggle. So, then we opened up The Home Depot. More must be done to address systemic racism. I mean, I was stuttering when I was senior class president, [and in] student government. endobj I want you guys to come up with real solutions. In 1989, the company opened its 100th store. The problem for the big, powerful, macho NFL, as it is for every other giant public entity, is that racism and cancer are kind of the easy stuff. How could Trump possibly have lost re-election? << 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. 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. /Producer ( Q t 4 . All of us as human beings, I think need to do a much better job of being a good listener. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank responds to Georgia's election reforms But Its All Too Familiar. 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. Support more understanding and be better listeners trying to see how the other people, you know, try to stand in the footsteps of others. Arthur Blank - Forbes If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. Brian Kemp signed the controversial bill, which includes new restrictions on voting by mail and greater legislative control over how elections are run. 9, Blank is a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. 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. 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. In 1978, they were both fired from Handy Dans by a corporate raider who took over the chains parent company. 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. Falcons GM comments on pursuing Deshaun Watson last offseason Arthur Blank - Wikipedia This is not a good way to make a living. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Virginia Prescott is theGracie Award-winning host of On Second Thought for Georgia Public Broadcasting. In Fall 2021, we launched our new Democracy program area with $10 million in grants designed to strengthen key democracy organizations to be resilient for the long haul of this work. And in fact, one of her famous expressions was: You do the right things for the right reasons and live with the consequences of them. And I'm trying to build that into my life as well. . And myself, if you will, I'm at the very bottom of the pyramid as a servant leader and somebody who is there to provide leadership, but also provide whatever that needs to be done for us to be successful. 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. These are the kinds of people we need in leadership today, not thinking about red, blue, purple. In total, they anticipate hosting each year 40 to 50 big events and an additional 100 to 200 small events in the neighboring park that will be built where the Georgia Dome currently resides. Arthur Blank, Tyler Perry speak out about protests, riots They were trying to indicate that what the military had fought for these rights, the civil rights, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, etc. It's a beautiful thing. 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. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. 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. Arthur Blank On Michael Vick, Bernie Marcus, And How He'd Run The U.S. We hold all the records. NFL Owner Political Donations: Who Gave to Obama AND Rubio? - The Big Lead 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. w !1AQaq"2B #3Rbr 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 I love him. And so think about the implications of the choices you're making for yourself and for your loved ones, etc. Arthur Blanks talks football, philanthropy, and Kanye West - FOX 5 Atlanta And Ambassador Young, another good friend would say the same thing. /SA true Its more like cowardly, and meatheaded. But Id like to say to CNN right now: Karmas a mother. Blank Launches New Voter Education Project - Atlanta Jewish Times This is not in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. America has long struggled to deliver a fair and equitable democracy to all of its citizens. The 74-year-old Blank, who Forbes estimates has an estimated net worth of $3.1 billion, is the director of Cox. 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. 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 Falcons were the first pro football team in the South, founded during the civil rights era in 1965. 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. 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. I mean, you know, all those things. 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. A reckless high-profile meathead, now out the $60 million remaining on his contract. Arthur Blank enjoys one of his favorite hobbies at Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, one of three guest ranches owned by Blank Family of Businesses. 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. Here, using insidegov.com's database, are the disclosed political donations* for majority NFL owners dating back to the 2008 election. Sadly, sometimes these young men and women get involved in that cycle and they never get out of it. Arthur Blank, owner of Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, co-founder of Home Depot . /Type /XObject I would suggest, for anybody in business, that you listen to who you're serving. Yet the team continues to unite Atlantans during the ups and downs. I felt and others felt that we could be successful here. Falcons' Blank excited about building around Ridder at QB They have no serious public, political advocates. I remember I called the commissioner then, who was Paul Tagliabue, and I say, Well, Paul, I have this idea. But he was. } !1AQa"q2#BR$3br And they love that. Today, Blank is the Chairman of AMB Group LLC, parent company of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United. So when we started, MLS was ranked like 22nd among all the leagues in the world. We Have Every Reason To Expect a Lot More from the NFL, no promises that it will reveal everything it has found out. 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. 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. 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. In our case, the fans, customers, guests or grantees, whatever the case may be, you're going to find out the ultimate truth of what you need to do to build a business response to issues, spot opportunities, deal with problems, whatever it may be. It starts with respect. I stayed in touch with him to some degree when he was in prison. 12, Blank has been married three times. But the level where this Gruden idiocy touches the countrys perilous moment is where the NFL arguably one of the most popular and therefore influential organizations/corporations in the country could and should use Grudens buffoonish racism and sexism to make unambiguous statements to its fans, which is to say just about everyone in the country. Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with businessman Arthur Blank about gun regulation and philanthropy. Please, please stop this violence!! The views expressed here are the authors' alone, not necessarily the views of their clients, employers or families. Blank also contributed $28,500 to the Obama Victory Fund in 2008. Players and coaches appear giving quick testimonials. 9. 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. 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. We sold out the entire stadium in two-and-a-half hours. 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. Our family foundation seeks to preserve and strengthen our democracy, and weve chosen this as one of our new collective areas of giving. But its the NFL itself that should be held to greater account and responsibility than it ever is. "And I'm not 100 years old I'm getting there, but I'm not but the things I see and deal with are just inherently not what's made this country great. But really, in my view, it's mostly that talking to young people about, you know, here's somebody who's been there, done it, gotten on T-shirts, lived it, and somebody whose name they respect or the least they know of, I should say, in most cases. Paul, are you there?