The foundation is . . We want to see the system that sets up for systemic racism burned to the ground. And I love him. Big Game by New York Times Magazine writer Mark Leibovich, BLM Has Achieved Much More Than Its Critics. 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. 3 0 obj 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. "He cares deeply about giving back and making a difference in people's lives. 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. It's an inverted pyramid that speaks to our whole orientation and all of our businesses today. But Id like to say to CNN right now: Karmas a mother. And he had to mop the floors for weeks and months on end. I mean, people were throwing tea off those boats because they were protesting, you know. 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. He had three children with his first wife Diana Blank, whom he divorced in 1993. I have many friends who are no longer fervent Braves supporters. ', 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. 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. He came out of the prison system as a changed person for the positive, not for the negative. People are scared and in pain. Her father was one half of Rodgers and Hammerstein. And if I stop talking now for two minutes, you realize just how long two minutes is. 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. The public discourse on these and other issues is too divisive, too political. The pair always strove to create a work environment that put people before politics, said Blank. 1 0 obj I mean, those fans, they feel like that's the only sport that we're hosting in that stadium. It's the fans. . By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. I was gagged. 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. It is my hope that we take this terrible moment in our history to elevate that conversation toward productive action and lasting, positive change. They survived. 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. I mean, you know, all those things. RELATED:Georgia Secretary of State calls many election changes 'solid'. I felt and others felt that we could be successful here. And part of that is reducing our environmental impact.. Steve Bullock, and the Democratic National Committee, to name a few, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission. He fielded multiple quarterback-related questions and spoke glowingly of Ridder, who. Because It Delivers Comfort, Status and Cash. They want to have a home-field advantage. 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. Nationality: United States Executive summary: Co-Founder of Home Depot. CEIR works to build voter trust and confidence, increase voter participation and improve the efficiency of election administration. 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. 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. This is chaos. ,> U#kw1%dHT6qZq]9Ki o . The largest donor was Falcons owner Arthur Blank. /CA 1.0 Atlanta, GA 30318 This is not the legacy of civil rights in America. Arthur Blank is firmly in Joe Biden's corner. However, peaceful protests really go back and look at the history of our country back to the Boston Tea Party. Arthur Blank talks sensible gun reform. 260 14th St. NW Hes a combination of father and brother to me. /Title ( A r t h u r b l a n k p o l i t i c s) We must not accept or condone violence in any way. 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. 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. 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. 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. And at the top of that is who is being served comes first. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is married to Angela Macuga, his third wife. Blank is a dedicated Democratic supporter, having donated thousands to Hillary Clinton's campaign, the Bullock Victory Fund, which backs the party's 2020 candidate for Montana senator, Gov. And then he worked in the laundry. Soon after, Blank met his third wife Angela Macuga whom he married in 2016 and later announced their plans to divorce in 2019. 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. Blank spent 19 years as the company's president before succeeding Marcus as CEO. After cofounding Home Depot in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1978, Blank and Marcus helped put the do-it-yourself phenomenon on the map by offering the tools for personal home renovations. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! I suspect he had help. His percentage of giving back from his estate will be equal to mine and some of his philosophies don't exactly match mine. 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. They all have a great set of eyes and they're all different. 6 Blank was the 2003 Chairman of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. And he should know. And being a good listener, it's an art form that we all can possess. Arthur Blank greets a crowd of cheering Atlanta United fans in 2017. You know, he uses the phrase community of chaos, that we move away from chaos and towards community and community in a very broad sense, community with each other. And Blanks role in this project extends beyond the stadium. Arthur Blank is getting more involved in the political process. 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. These are not political issues, they are human issues that need serious, earnest attention from leaders and . His faith is very strong. "This notion of divisiveness has become, in my humble opinion, maybe, post-Civil War, probably one of the most stressful times I've ever seen in our country," he said. GALEO has also handed out flyers at city events, supermarkets, and churches that target Latinos. 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. 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. 16 Blanks son, Kenny Blank, also sits on the foundations board and is the executive director of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. 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. JFIF K K C But what, I ask, would be the effect of a dozen or so top current and former stars, coaches and league executives stepping up to a camera and telling pro footballs millions (and millions) of fans to get vaccinated for the sake of other people like the season ticket holders sitting next to them if not themselves? "I know what he cares about and he cares about a lot of the same things that I care about.". 2023 Cox Media Group. GPB intern Eva Rothenberg contributed to this article. Arthur Blank is worried that capitalism is getting a bad rap. The documentary will premiere exclusively Nov. 23, 2020 at 8 p.m.on Georgia Public Broadcasting. 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. Download the FOX 5 Atlanta appfor breaking news and weather alerts. And Ambassador Young, another good friend would say the same thing. They all have a great set of values. But you want your core values to be the same, ideally. 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. And I think this should be addressed out of respect and out of listening.". So the answer would be yes. 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. I listen to what he says and sometimes I'll cringe. He notes pervasive cynicism about corporate leaders and perceptions that the drive for profit comes at the expense of public good. When I left [Home Depot] in 2001, [it] was the second largest retailer in the world, second only to Wal-Mart. 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. Blank also owns Atlantas Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a sports and entertainment facility valued at $1.5 billion that hosted the 2019 Super Bowl. 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. 14, He also had three children with his second wife of 16 years, Stephanie Blank. I mean, I was stuttering when I was senior class president, [and in] student government. Bernardo Little . But, you know, I needed to change my view on what I could give back and how it could be connected to other people.. So, you know, we understood that our culture had nothing to do with which party you are affiliated with. 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. 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. Kemp and the law's backers said it provides some common-sense reformsto ensure elections are secure. Home Depot co-founders pictured in 1979, a year after the first store opened. Falcons owner Arthur Blank is weighing in on Georgia's sweeping overhaul of election laws. Resistance to Artificial Intelligence (AI) is Futile. But its the NFL itself that should be held to greater account and responsibility than it ever is. 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. And somebody knocked on the door. /Type /XObject Our history of voting rights is a constant struggle, a repetitive cycle of expansion followed by restriction. One was in pricing. And thats despite our recent record, which hasn't been, you know, one I'm particularly proud of, but we'll get better. We were living in a single-bedroom apartment in Queens. In his new book, Good Company, Blank follows his own success to show that purpose and profit can and should coexist. 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. It is in effect protecting the teams owner, a guy regularly reviled by sportswriters, players and fans as a (very wealthy) toxic idiot. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images). 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. This is not a protest. Continued: https://t.co/yePGJUaGVV, Ive got a lot of love and respect for police officers., We dont want to see Targets burning. It starts with respect. Kimball previously served as the vice president of network support at Teach for All. . 1 2 . ATLANTA - Atlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank released a statement on Saturday following President Donald Trump's comments on Friday about the NFL. Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. When you find common solutions that work for everybody and [are] respectful of everybody to represent the best of you. follow. About Arthur Blank Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus cofounded Home Depot in 1978 after being fired from their jobs at a regional hardware store. For more information about Life Itself, visit the . A company where we already know from law suits the teams executives treated its cheerleaders like Vegas escorts and, yup, traded nudie pictures of them changing outfits. I mean, it wasn't like, You're Republican or Democrat. 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? Georgia Politics FOX 5 Atlanta ATLANTA - Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United Owner Arthur Blank said Tuesday afternoon he believes voting should be made "easier, not harder for every eligible. He owns the team, after all. Arthur Blank, owner of Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, co-founder of Home Depot . Enter your email address to be notified about new posts. 8 . What Does Hamline Not Understand About Academic Freedom? /SA true Which country do you come from? One of the beauties is that when you come to the stadium, it feels like it's the United Nations. 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. I mean, it doesn't make a difference how old you are. Players and coaches appear giving quick testimonials. He's committed to his wife now, his children. One reporter asked Fontenot whether he thought the Falcons were getting Watson. 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. I do know it is hard. His daughter Dena is the executive director of the Kendeda Fund, a left-of-center private foundation founded by her mother, Diana Blank. In 1978, they were both fired from Handy Dans by a corporate raider who took over the chains parent company. 2010-2023 Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Paul, are you there? February 4, 2021 4:12 pm ET. Good Company is billed as a visionary road-map for creating successful businesses. 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. They were trying to indicate that what the military had fought for these rights, the civil rights, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, etc. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. Owner, Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC. Please stop the violence!, Im not in Atlanta, but if I were I would have been standing with our Mayor! And I think we got disconnected. He said, All of that really gave me time not only for redemption, but more importantly, for reflection. And he said, I really realized that I had done a lot of good things in my life putting aside and playing ball. Opponents of the bill argue it's too restrictive and targets minority voters. Seventy percent of the players in the NFL are African American a disproportionate number. But he was. 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. I mean, you write a book like this, it's really getting into kind of the political arena. This is not in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. In 1978, both he and future Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank were fired during a corporate power struggle at Handy Dan. 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's statement did not specify any initiatives or call any elected officials or political parties by name. 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. Student Loan Forgiveness and The Ghost of John Kline, (Who?). that those rights were not being fully reflected in our society today. /ca 1.0 Their frustration is real, and it must be acknowledged and addressed. Its more like cowardly, and meatheaded. I still remember this as if it was yesterday. Mercedes-Benz Stadium will also be home to Atlantas MLS team, Atlanta United FC. I, like almost everyone else, had already started celebrating at halftime. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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. 3, By 1981, Home Depots stock went public and raised over $4 million. (Confidentiality, you know.) Another Home. I understand that, but I respect it," said Blank. "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. Blank also contributed $28,500 to the Obama Victory Fund in 2008. With Enemies Like Scott Jensen, Who Needs Friends? Tikkun Olam [a Jewish concept of repairing the world through action]. Why Should Tim Walz Even Bother Debating Scott Jensen? Did the Vikings and NFL Just Blacklist Another Left-Leaning Player? I said, Look, I'm going to be a new owner, tell me what I can do to help. And they love that. I said, Paul? (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.) 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. There are people and other countries who are posting things pretending to be US, pretending to stand for peaceful protest, but they are trying to incite us into violence and chaos to try and do more harm! Those come first. Sign up to receive GPB Event announcements via Email. 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. >> } !1AQa"q2#BR$3br Give them hope. The stadium boasts roughly 4,000 solar panels and will use 70 percent less energy. The Athletic reported that Blank gave $2,800 to Biden, the Democratic nominee for president, on July 1. Over the past week, figures around the NFL have ATLANTA - Falcons team owner Arthur Blank has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the team's final game of the regular season. 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. There's no place for looting and stealing and whatever else. 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. Shrinking from conflict over something as valid, real and life-protecting as a vaccine is not what Id call, manly, brave, courageous or patriotic. 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. Full statement from Arthur Blank: https://t.co/1lU870TGWa pic.twitter.com/0qejiahKKY, Please, please stop this violence!! Our frontline associates and all those businesses come next. Show up at the polls on June 9. 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. Max died when Arthur was 15, leaving his mother to grow what became a multi-million-dollar business. We need to recognize those truths. I love CNN, I love Cartoon Network. 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) Organizations also called to move The Masters, which begins April 8. And the great political leaders in the past, they were civil and they were good listeners. 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. 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. I know you see my partner, Bernie, on Fox News very often.