Black History Month Spotlight: Honoring Herman J. Russell

Honoring Herman J. Russell: A Legacy of Excellence, Entrepreneurship, and Empowerment

Black History Month is a time to celebrate the visionaries who have paved the way for economic empowerment and community transformation. Among the towering figures in business and real estate, Herman J. Russell stands as a beacon of resilience, leadership, and opportunity.

For me, Russell’s impact isn’t just a historical footnote—it’s personal. His legacy is woven into my own journey as an entrepreneur in multifamily services and PropTech, and today, as I build VendorCall, I continue to walk through doors that his vision helped open.

A Personal Connection to His Legacy

When I first moved to Atlanta, I lived in Artist Square, managed by Columbia Residential. As a veteran, I had to work overseas for a brief period, and I’ll never forget the kindness and flexibility Columbia Residential showed me—they not only held my apartment but also reduced my rent while I was away. At the time, I didn’t realize how deep their commitment to supporting people like me ran.

Years later, as I stepped into the multifamily industry, I heard the name Herman J. Russell again and again. When I launched 360clean, my first major contract was with Columbia Residential. That opportunity gave me more than just revenue—it gave me insight into how the industry worked, how to scale a business, and how true leaders create opportunities for others.

I now know that Columbia Residential’s DNA was shaped, in part, by the mentorship and influence of Herman J. Russell. Their founder, Noel Khalil, worked closely with Russell early in his career, absorbing the principles of business excellence, real estate development, and minority entrepreneurship. That legacy of mentorship and access to opportunity continues to shape the multifamily industry today.

Herman J. Russell: The Blueprint for Black Entrepreneurship

Born in 1930 in Atlanta, Herman J. Russell built H.J. Russell & Company from a modest family-run plastering business into one of the largest Black-owned construction and real estate firms in the U.S. His company played a pivotal role in shaping Atlanta’s skyline, with projects such as:

🏗 Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
🏟 The Georgia Dome
🎭 The Atlanta Civic Center
🏠 Mixed-income housing developments that provided homes for thousands

Russell wasn’t just a business leader—he was a pioneer of economic empowerment who believed in mentorship, equity, and breaking down barriers for minority entrepreneurs.

• The First Black Member of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce (1963)

• A Key Supporter of Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s first Black mayor, helping create more opportunities for minority contractors

• One of the largest developers of HUD-backed affordable housing

• A Champion of Small Businesses, ensuring Black-owned firms had access to large-scale contracts

The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE): Building the Next Generation

One of Herman J. Russell’s most lasting contributions is the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), which transforms his former company headquarters into a hub for Black business owners.

As an entrepreneur and founder of VendorCall, I’m honored to be part of RICE, following in the footsteps of so many who have built impactful, service-driven businesses. RICE is more than just a business incubator—it’s a movement.

🚀 54,000 sq. ft. of office space, mentorship, and networking resources
💡 Business coaching, capital access, and technology tools
🤝 A thriving community of Black entrepreneurs supporting each other

For me, being a RICE member means carrying on Russell’s vision: using entrepreneurship as a tool for economic mobility, job creation, and generational wealth.

It’s fitting that as I work to scale VendorCall—a PropTech platform connecting property managers with trusted vendors—I do so within a space that was literally built to empower Black business owners like me.

A Legacy That Lives On

Herman J. Russell wasn’t just building buildings—he was building opportunities. He understood that economic empowerment is the foundation of lasting change.

Today, H.J. Russell & Company continues to thrive under his family’s leadership, and RICE carries forward his mission to ensure Black entrepreneurs have the tools, knowledge, and networks to succeed.

For me, Herman J. Russell’s story is more than just inspiration—it’s a roadmap. His journey proves that:

• Relationships matter—business is about people, not just contracts.

• Access to opportunity changes lives—mentorship and partnerships can accelerate growth.

• True success is measured by how many people you help along the way.

Continuing the Legacy

Every time I work with a property management company, mentor a small business owner, or sign up another vendor on VendorCall, I think about how my journey has been shaped by the opportunities I received from people who believed in growing others, not just themselves.

That’s how we honor our legends—not just by remembering them, but by continuing their work.

What’s Next?

As I scale VendorCall, I’m committed to:

✅ Helping vendors—many of them minority or veteran-owned—secure more business.
✅ Providing property managers with a fast, tech-driven way to find trusted service providers.
✅ Building a PropTech solution that creates real impact in the property management industry.

The next generation of Black entrepreneurs is already here. It’s up to us to open more doors, build more bridges, and create more opportunities—just like Herman J. Russell did.

💡 Who has inspired your journey? Drop a comment and share the leaders who paved the way for you!

Thank you for joining us. We hope the insights shared will help you manage your properties more effectively and connect with the right vendors. Stay tuned for our next issue, where we’ll explore the latest property management tech tools.

Best,
Editor, Property Pulse