Copyright 2023 InfluenceWatch. 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. 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. Show up at the polls on June 9. Players and coaches appear giving quick testimonials. 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. Who knows how successful theyll be, and many residents worry that economic growth could facilitate gentrification. And my mother was giving him a lecture saying, You realize this is not what your parents would want you to do. And there are two [robbers] and they want to know, "Where's the money, where's the cash?" Did the Vikings and NFL Just Blacklist Another Left-Leaning Player? I am, in a certain sense. In recent years Atlantas sports teams have attracted controversies that have highlighted the racial disparities that still largely define the city. 03/03/2023. [Thats] something that I talk about in the book, which most people are not aware of. my patience level probably is not the level it would have to be to sustain myself in this political atmosphere today. /Height 155 Now 78, he is largely beloved in Georgia as an entrepreneur, owner of two professional sports teams and a prolific philanthropist. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. In order to put this grinding pandemic behind us once and for all? Two Gruden compadres, ex-Gophers star and former NFL coach Tony Dungy and his ESPN partner Mike Tirico, both black, are in a bad spot for defending Gruden about his michellin [sic] tires description of another black guys lips. 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. 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. A little shaky now. 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. 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. 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]. 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. 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. 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 that's one of our core values as well: Include everybody. ', 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. Lawlessness, vandalism and intentionally upending the peace with any form of violence has never been productive and is not the answer. So it really never defined me. One of the beauties is that when you come to the stadium, it feels like it's the United Nations. /Subtype /Image By Bob Bahr October 12, 2021, 5:48 pm. 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. 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! Blank retired as Home Depot's co-chairman in. 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. I have many friends who are no longer fervent Braves supporters. A Member of the Blank Family of Businesses. 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. "He cares deeply about giving back and making a difference in people's lives. And that's all part of his story of redemption and his story of being a changed person. People are scared and in pain. Arthur Blanks brother, Michael, and his father, Max, are photographed outside the OES Pharmacy family business, in 1940. 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 know what he cares about and he cares about a lot of the same things that I care about.". Arthur M. Blank is responsible for the sorry state of the Falcons. I suspect he had help. We must not accept or condone violence in any way. Arthur Blank is worried that capitalism is getting a bad rap. We Have Every Reason To Expect a Lot More from the NFL, no promises that it will reveal everything it has found out. In 1978, they were both fired from Handy Dans by a corporate raider who took over the chains parent company. I think back when I lived in a neighborhood, you know, a small neighborhood, when my mother and dad were alive, we all took care of each other. 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. Given its footprint, we have good rights to expect a lot more from this monolith. 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. 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. 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. But, you know, I needed to change my view on what I could give back and how it could be connected to other people.. A reckless high-profile meathead, now out the $60 million remaining on his contract. Blank donated another $35,500 to the Democratic National Committee, according to Federal Election Commission filings. 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. Arthur Blank is an American entrepreneur and a co-owner of the home improvement retail giant The Home Depot. 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. Do it in November. Enter your email address to be notified about new posts. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. And Blanks role in this project extends beyond the stadium. Tikkun Olam [a Jewish concept of repairing the world through action]. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Minnesota Legislature, What Are You Chewing? Michael Vicks published letter, Atlanta, nearly made a whole city cry on the eve of the Super Bowl. 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. We Present You Trumps Deposition, More or Less Verbatim. 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. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is located adjacent to the Falcons current home, the Georgia Dome, in Atlantas Westside. More must be done to address the underlying issues that have led to these incidents across the country. No, I'm not. 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. Give them hope. 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. 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. GPB intern Eva Rothenberg contributed to this article. The trouble is that the NFL is not coming clean on that investigation. 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. 2023 Cox Media Group. /Creator ( w k h t m l t o p d f 0 . 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%. And they've worked collectively for the United States, for everybody in this country, 330 million people. This is not a good way to make a living. But my mother would say to me, You know, what you have to say is important. We want to see the system that sets up for systemic racism burned to the ground. The Atlanta Falcons new stadium is going to be beautiful. Seventy-threethousand stood up and clapped, gave him a great hand. Founded in 2010 as the Asian American Legal Advocacy Center (AALAC), the organization became part of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation in 2014. One of the robbers tied me up in the bathroom, the bathtub, and I said a few things to him, which, at 10 years old, I don't think my mother even knew I knew those words. A documentary surrounding Brian Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian's surrogacy journey is set to air on RT on March 13. 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. /SMask /None>> I have what's called a veil state, or I am a stutterer. 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. So it was good. Steve Bullock, and the Democratic National Committee, to name a few, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission. We sit down with New York Times theater critic Jesse Green to discuss Rodgers' autobiography, Shy. Blank credits his mother with giving him his first lesson in entrepreneurship. America has long struggled to deliver a fair and equitable democracy to all of its citizens. 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, 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. So, long story short, I think, is that we should recognize the past, understand the progress we have made. Like all stories meant to inspire, he takes some knocks. But go ahead and do it, if that's what you want. So we did it. 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. } !1AQa"q2#BR$3br Yeah, It Could Have Been Worse. 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. 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. 8 . "His approach obviously is different. (Airlines resisting vaccination mandates for passengers are another prime example of failure of true leadership.) Sign up to receive GPB Event announcements via Email. 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. 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. Their siblings, their families, you know, may have gone to battle and wore a variety of uniforms for our country over many, many years. In his new book, Good Company, Blank follows his own success to show that purpose and profit can and should coexist. Blank spent 19 years as the company's president before succeeding Marcus as CEO. This is not a protest. They're a PR's dream because they rarely say the wrong thing. It's the customers. But I know where his heart is and his heart is really in a good place. I mean, those fans, they feel like that's the only sport that we're hosting in that stadium. I was gagged. Kemp and the law's backers said it provides some common-sense reformsto ensure elections are secure. The documentary will premiere exclusively Nov. 23, 2020 at 8 p.m.on Georgia Public Broadcasting. 15, Two of Blanks children, Dena Kimball and Kenny Blank, sit on the board of directors of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. 4, Blank purchased the NFLs Atlanta Falcons for more than $540 million shortly after stepping down as CEO of Home Depot. 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. So I would just cut him some slack. that those rights were not being fully reflected in our society today. But that was typical of my mother. All of which is, yknow, really classy stuff. Brian Kemp signed the controversial bill, which includes new restrictions on voting by mail and greater legislative control over how elections are run. 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. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. There was a six-year period in there, when things went a little south. 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.