RELATED:Georgia Secretary of State calls many election changes 'solid'. For years, Americans have fallen prey to the con of wealthy businessmen who want to build shiny new sports arenas yet dont want to pay for them. Blank also contributed $28,500 to the Obama Victory Fund in 2008. So that's really what it was about. Blank writes about being teased for having a stutter. It's good to be different, said Blank, but he said it's the intolerance of some that worries him about the future. So that was a low price a lower price than before Michael Vick the star quarterback was born 22 years before that. This must happen more than every four years, because theres no offseason for democracy. How best to put it? 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 trouble is that the NFL is not coming clean on that investigation. /BitsPerComponent 8 He's committed to his wife now, his children. Arthur Blank is firmly in Joe Biden's corner. So I would fight for that and surround myself with people who believe the same thing, because you have to have that brain power in every institution or corporation or nonprofit. 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. Our history of voting rights is a constant struggle, a repetitive cycle of expansion followed by restriction. The Atlanta media thrashed Arthur Smith, Terry Fontenot, and Arthur Blank about their interest level sometime after the news broke. 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. So, you know, soccer is on the ascent in the United States dramatically, which is a great thing. Scott Jensens Unanswered $15,000,000,000 Question. Those come first. Among Blanks diverse interests are the nationwide PGA Tour Superstore chain, three guest ranches in Montana, and a family foundation that counts millions in economic development investments on Atlantas beleaguered Westside among its $660-million outlay to date. He received his MBA from Harvard. j"[p!d~oB?1].drwe GM]/v2q3^u[\ /. One where guys like the Vikings Mark and Zygi Wilf and Arthur (Home Depot) Blank of the Atlanta Falcons come off as comparatively rational. 15, Two of Blanks children, Dena Kimball and Kenny Blank, sit on the board of directors of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Over the past week, figures around the NFL have People are scared and in pain. Looting is NOT THE ANSWER!!! 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. "This grant will help The Center add to its existing . 2010-2023 Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Do it in November. Fernandez says that they intend to use the stadium as an anchoring institution, and that the number one thing people in the community said they wanted are jobs. Bernardo Little . 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. And somebody knocked on the door. 1, Arthur Blank was born to Molly and Max Blank in Queens, New York. /Subtype /Image Currently, over 200 Westside residents are working on the stadiums construction and the foundation has funded, among other things, Westside Works to help residents find employment and learn job training skills. Our democracy is made stronger when we hear from all Americans on the issues of our day whether they be national or local. 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/. So there wasn't a word on the other end of the phone. Atlanta Falcons employees are most likely to be members of the Republican Party. In his new book, Good Company, Blank follows his own success to show that purpose and profit can and should coexist. 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. 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. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. But the two subsequent CEOs the gentleman there today, Craig Minear, the CEO and president Ted Decker both live the culture. But my mother would say to me, You know, what you have to say is important. And the great political leaders in the past, they were civil and they were good listeners. Scott Jensens Dramatic Fall Shows Ads Still Matter. Give them hope. The NFL owners club is a remarkable collection of avaricious gargoyles. A Member of the Blank Family of Businesses. And now their story is a page-turning novel. Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. A number of events over the last couple of weeks have reminded us again that the long, worthy quest for equal justice, civility and unity in America is far from over. 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. One reporter asked Fontenot whether he thought the Falcons were getting Watson. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. They all have a great set of values. /ColorSpace /DeviceRGB And he should know. The Athletic reported that Blank gave $2,800 to Biden, the Democratic nominee for president, on July 1. Blank told Business Insider that despite their differences, running a company is "not a red issue or a blue issue" and is instead about sharing the same values. 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. 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. Though the 78-year-old who's now the owner of the Atlanta Falcons NFL team was aware of their political differences, he said it never had any bearing on their shared values. Blank, who is worth about $6.2 billion, per Forbes, is one of the higher donors among Biden's billionaire backers, who outnumber Trump's at 134 to 101, although more of Biden's backers have given the $2,800 personal maximum. 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. In 1978, they were both fired from Handy Dans by a corporate raider who took over the chains parent company. It's the fans. 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. Now it's ranked like seventh. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images). I felt and others felt that we could be successful here. It starts with respect. Open, honest dialogue is needed on a much greater scale. I listen to what he says and sometimes I'll cringe. But staying in the city and trying to work with the community definitely beats the usual stadium construction scam and unwanted racial division that has become far too common in sports today. And I know he considers the blessings that we had coming from Home Depot [and what its done] for all of our philanthropy today and all of our businesses today to be something that we're very thankful for. But I know that his essence, at his heart and his soul, is a really good person that cares deeply about humanity. Please stop the violence!, Im not in Atlanta, but if I were I would have been standing with our Mayor! 3 0 obj How? And so from there, since the 2001- 2002 season, we've only had three games that were not sold out during the season. I, like almost everyone else, had already started celebrating at halftime. 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. A Handful of Things I Could Not Care Less About, Matt Birk: Rape Victims Are Playing the Rape Card?, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Were usually very happy to talk, very happy to share our opinions and what have you I have enough humility to understand that the people were serving know better. All of which is, yknow, really classy stuff. /SMask /None>> 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. JFIF K K C By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. The 79-year-old co-founder of Atlanta-based The Home Depot . This is not a protest. Pictured is the famous napkin deal that sealed Arthur Blanks agreement with Taylor Smith to purchase the Atlanta Falcons for $545 million in 2001. Paul, are you OK? I was going to call his secretary, thinking Paul got a heart attack or something. Paul, are you there? I know you see my partner, Bernie, on Fox News very often. ', 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. 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. 1 2 . I seriously doubt the leagues TV ratings or ad revenue would suffer an iota. 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. 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. 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. 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 little shaky now. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Hopefully we'll get back in the playoffs, but not as well as the first three years. So we spent six months maybe talking to fans, or people that were not fans, but were, you know, living in the Atlanta area at that time, and we found out that there were four or five things we had to fix. The organization works directly with election officials to maintain accurate and complete voter lists and to secure their election technology infrastructure. (To his enormous credit, Leibovich burned up all the access his name and the Times brand afforded him to tell a story the average sports writer only dares hint at.) Seventy-threethousand stood up and clapped, gave him a great hand. But We Aint Seen Nuthin Yet. CEIR works to build voter trust and confidence, increase voter participation and improve the efficiency of election administration. So thats Gruden. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is located adjacent to the Falcons current home, the Georgia Dome, in Atlantas Westside. With Labels, Listen to Affected Populations, Not Activists, As With Alcohol, Mitigation, Not Prohibition, Is the Answer, It Seems Democrats Are Blundering Badly (Again) with Their All-Abortion, All-the-Time Campaign. 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. "I know what he cares about and he cares about a lot of the same things that I care about.". 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. So, I would say it was very successful. 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. 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. 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. But Still Not Even an Indictment. And Blanks role in this project extends beyond the stadium. 12, Blank has been married three times. 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. 8 . 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. To assist with the effective inclusion of community voices, the city of Atlanta participated in the Living Cities City Accelerator program, which streamlined and articulated (PDF) best practices for service providers and community leaders to build stable communities in Atlanta. 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?. Blank donated another $35,500 to the Democratic National Committee, according to Federal Election Commission filings. 9. ,> U#kw1%dHT6qZq]9Ki o 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. The firing in 1978 was a political situation primarily between my partner Bernie [Marcus] and a gentleman, that has passed away now, who was his boss. Today, Blank is the Chairman of AMB Group LLC, parent company of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United. We expect to learn a great deal from these groups and have that learning inform our strategy on voting access and civic participation in Georgia and beyond. 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 part of that is reducing our environmental impact.. They put my mother, my brother and I in the living room with one of them and the other was searching the house, looking for cash that wasn't there. Support more understanding and be better listeners trying to see how the other people, you know, try to stand in the footsteps of others. So there was no disrespect to the military. 4, Blank purchased the NFLs Atlanta Falcons for more than $540 million shortly after stepping down as CEO of Home Depot. We had a different leader [Robert Nardelli ] in place that was eventually replaced. "He cares deeply about giving back and making a difference in people's lives. And if you go to the Museum of Equal Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, [Equal Justice Initiative Director] Bryan Stevenson says the same thing: We need to recognize [that] these 5000 lynchings took place in the United States[a 2019 Report from the EJI documents more than 4440 racial terror lynchings in the U.S. between 1877 and 1950]. Blank's statement did not specify any initiatives or call any elected officials or political parties by name. Her father was one half of Rodgers and Hammerstein. So you take your time, you get the words out and people will listen to you. So I think that from those days in college where I raised my hand and I know my buddies around the class would think, Oh, boy, here goes another 5-minute answer, you know? One where guys like the Vikings' Mark and Zygi Wilf and Arthur (Home Depot) Blank of the Atlanta Falcons come off as comparatively rational. So the answer would be yes. Well, I shouldn't say I'm not. I mean, it wasn't like, You're Republican or Democrat. 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. It Now Actually Matters, a Lot. 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. 10, Following proposed changes to Georgia voting laws in early 2021, Blank released a statement saying, We should be working to make voting easier, not harder for every eligible citizen, and that his businesses and family foundation will support efforts that advance voting access for the citizens of Georgia and across the nation. 11 Blank also participated in an online call with over 100 corporate executives to discuss taking action following changes to state voting laws including the possibility of delaying investments in states that pass allegedly restrictive voting laws. Arthur Blank is worried that capitalism is getting a bad rap. /Width 625 Minnesota Legislature, What Are You Chewing? 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. There's no place for looting and stealing and whatever else. And he recently gave $250,000 to committees supporting Joe Biden, Forbes reported. I worked with him for over 40 years and we shared the same bathroom for over 30 years, which is more than any of our marriages lasted," said Blank, who's currently valued by Forbes at about $6.2 billion. But he did. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. He notes pervasive cynicism about corporate leaders and perceptions that the drive for profit comes at the expense of public good. I do know it is hard. The 79-year-old philanthropist has supported educational projects to promote civil rights and racial justice. All those 25,000 tickets were gone. Friday on Political Rewind: Mary Rodgers grew up among some of Broadway's biggest names, from Sondheim to Bernstein. Brian Kemp signed the controversial bill, which includes new restrictions on voting by mail and greater legislative control over how elections are run. Is the Jensen-Birk Campaign Minnesotas WOAT? Show up at the polls on June 9. GPB is committedto bringing you comprehensive news coverage from Georgia, across the country and around the world. He would say, I don't need to be cut any slack, you know. It's our job is to serve the American people and I think we need to have more focus on that.". OMG, Democrats Are Criminally Bad At Marketing What They Accomplish. 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. The 74-year-old Blank, who Forbes estimates has an estimated net worth of $3.1 billion, is the director of Cox. Brian Kemp signed SB 202 into law. 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. Full statement from Arthur Blank: https://t.co/1lU870TGWa pic.twitter.com/0qejiahKKY, Please, please stop this violence!! 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. I am, in a certain sense. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Did the Vikings and NFL Just Blacklist Another Left-Leaning Player? The largest donor was Falcons owner Arthur Blank. You're going to get a lot of your fellow owners really pissed. . 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. C q" "His approach obviously is different. 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. 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. Kemp and the law's backers said it provides some common-sense reformsto ensure elections are secure. The Arthur M. Blank Foundation announced on Wednesday a new series of grants focusing on mental health and well-being in response to America's growing mental health crisis. He had a gun on his lap, sitting on his right thigh. A study by ESPN and FiveThirtyEight in October 2020 showed Blank is a bipartisan contributor to political campaignsbut contributed more to Democratic candidates from 2012 to 2020. . And, you know, you see the blending of every type of person and personality you can imagine. I understand that, but I respect it," said Blank. And then as Dr. King wrote in his last book, which his wife published a year after he passed away. GPBs Virginia Prescott asked Blank about some of those stories in a conversationpresented in collaboration with Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlantas Book Festival in Your Living Room, the National JCC Literary Consortium and the Atlanta History Center. I'm not sure how they're going to receive you. Playoffs, playoff championships, etc. And that's an example of the happiness that we're talking about. 5 Other Blank family businesses include the nationwide PGA TOUR Superstore as well as a handful of ranches across the country. ATLANTA - Atlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank released a statement on Saturday following President Donald Trump's comments on Friday about the NFL. "I know Bernie's heart. 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. I remember I called the commissioner then, who was Paul Tagliabue, and I say, Well, Paul, I have this idea. Citizens and municipalities have for far too long believed these baseless claims, paid for the stadium, and watched them lie dormant during the offseason as the new businesses never came. "So, you know, I love him. Copyright 2023 InfluenceWatch. They survived. Virginia Prescott is theGracie Award-winning host of On Second Thought for Georgia Public Broadcasting. Hes a combination of father and brother to me. He details the inception and rapid success of Atlanta United, and responding to the NFL protests that began in 2016. Arthur Blank enjoys one of his favorite hobbies at Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, one of three guest ranches owned by Blank Family of Businesses. Shrinking from conflict over something as valid, real and life-protecting as a vaccine is not what Id call, manly, brave, courageous or patriotic. The public discourse on these and other issues is too divisive, too political. 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. But there was nothing I could say better than what Mayor @KeishaBottoms said last night! Think about How do I listen to the people that are actually trying to serve and how do we put results in place that would give them the very best chance for equality and for success and for fair treatment? And I think we have to strive more for that. The book lays out a set of values that guided him to turn around the struggling Atlanta Falcons NFL team, launch the Atlanta United FC soccer club and build the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. 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. GALEO strives for a better Georgia where the Latino community is engagedcivically, and its contributions and concerns are recognized. We sit down with New York Times theater critic Jesse Green to discuss Rodgers' autobiography, Shy. We are better than this We are better than this as a country. His faith is very strong. /Length 7 0 R Weve never won a Super Bowl, and this years loss in Super Bowl LI was especially hard to take. "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. 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. 3, By 1981, Home Depots stock went public and raised over $4 million. Dueling Visions for Minnesota: Scandinavia or South Dakota? /Producer ( Q t 4 . Arthur Blank greets a crowd of cheering Atlanta United fans in 2017. 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. What Would Trump Steal That is So Ultra Top Secret and Why? His professional team Atlanta United FC brought professional soccer to Atlanta beginning in 2017. /Type /ExtGState No, I'm not. 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. These are not political issues, they are human issues that need serious, earnest attention from leaders and . He came out of the prison system as a changed person for the positive, not for the negative. 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.
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