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. So it really never defined me. Blank who grew up in New York City said he believes the US is going through one of the most tumultuous times in its history. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images). At the time, Atlanta liked to call itself The City Too Busy to Hate, but as more African Americans moved to the city the moniker shifted to The City Too Busy Moving to Hate, as more white Atlantans escaped the city to the northern suburbs. 5) There are nearly one million Latinos in Georgia, with one of the fastest growth rates of the Latino population in the nation. The guest. Falcons owner Arthur Blank to miss Sunday's game due to positive COVID They were trying to indicate that what the military had fought for these rights, the civil rights, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, etc. However, peaceful protests really go back and look at the history of our country back to the Boston Tea Party. In 1989, the company opened its 100th store. "I know what he cares about and he cares about a lot of the same things that I care about.". Arthur Blank is worried that capitalism is getting a bad rap. This is chaos and were buying into it. Can We Please Kill Off the Tipping Mumbo-Jumbo? 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. 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. 5 Other Blank family businesses include the nationwide PGA TOUR Superstore as well as a handful of ranches across the country. No. But he was there and he finally said, Listen, you own the franchise, you have the option. "People are coming from different places, which is okay, but it's not okay when they're disrespectful; it's not okay when they're not kind. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. In his new book, Good Company, Blank follows his own success to show that purpose and profit can and should coexist. He's committed to his wife now, his children. 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. But, you know, I needed to change my view on what I could give back and how it could be connected to other people.. We had the option of going to a variety of companies, doing a variety of things in a traditional sense of management leadership. 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. Did the Vikings and NFL Just Blacklist Another Left-Leaning Player? Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 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. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. But We Aint Seen Nuthin Yet. It's a beautiful thing. Were trying to do the exact opposite of that.. A little shaky now. GPB is committedto bringing you comprehensive news coverage from Georgia, across the country and around the world. !, And listen to me, be careful where you are getting your information to JOIN protests!! 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. We are better than this We are better than this as a country. Arthur M. Blank is responsible for the sorry state of the Falcons. And he should know. It's hard to believe. What Does Hamline Not Understand About Academic Freedom? The Number of White Teachers About to Get Fired is Exactly Zero. Stop feeding fear and anger every day. follow. How aerobics changed the life of Arthur Blank long before he bought the 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. 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. 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. 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. Arthur Blank is an American entrepreneur and a co-owner of the home improvement retail giant The Home Depot. Given its footprint, we have good rights to expect a lot more from this monolith. I love CNN, I love Cartoon Network. Big Game by New York Times Magazine writer Mark Leibovich, BLM Has Achieved Much More Than Its Critics. Because It Delivers Comfort, Status and Cash. Arthur Blank Politics, Foundation, Businesses, Net Worth ~B?/"J()NF =|Z|&t?jCJw)C 0H>~9 ( 81c2fO=a>}@#y}~9]jqCZ'}*x:qj@PTj+2>dm?aU2 8'z?mWm)yt7,?:99=, +oG6 <4!I lg, ]6vDT2zu9~1bA'px#?)X&,:irv.q'/U:~]{tf&[eR|ozKD-sCEAMnO e=#MguofhNFT1vMfH# Q,e_oZdb_47OatAYs2=LJr~R1# gwg],Xs7q72 f) _n:R-r9-:Q`Mg?_t*"v8? 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. Shrinking from conflict over something as valid, real and life-protecting as a vaccine is not what Id call, manly, brave, courageous or patriotic. Arthur Blank, Atlanta Falcons - Sports Illustrated /Producer ( Q t 4 . I want you guys to come up with real solutions. 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. my patience level probably is not the level it would have to be to sustain myself in this political atmosphere today. How? 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. They have no serious public, political advocates. But the two subsequent CEOs the gentleman there today, Craig Minear, the CEO and president Ted Decker both live the culture. /Type /ExtGState "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. When I left [Home Depot] in 2001, [it] was the second largest retailer in the world, second only to Wal-Mart. 1, Arthur Blank was born to Molly and Max Blank in Queens, New York. American professional sports owners have contributed nearly $47 million in federal elections since 2015, according to research by ESPN in partnership with FiveThirtyEight, including $10 million. Georgia businessman Arthur Blank joins with voting groups on Democracy Class Atlanta The Jolt: Arthur Blank teams with voting groups to forge 'Democracy Class Atlanta' Caption Credit:. You know, dig in [your] heels and it becomes, "My territory, your territory," etc. w !1AQaq"2B #3Rbr We believe the right to vote is sacred and should be protected, so that we can have an active and engaged citizenry that participates in our democracy year-round, not just during presidential election cycles. 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. 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. 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. Arthur Blank is getting more involved in the political process. Young you are. We had a different leader [Robert Nardelli ] in place that was eventually replaced. Opponents of the bill argue it's too restrictive and targets minority voters. 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. Michael Vicks published letter, Atlanta, nearly made a whole city cry on the eve of the Super Bowl. Now it's ranked like seventh. I mean, it wasn't like, You're Republican or Democrat. 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. And Blanks role in this project extends beyond the stadium. 1 2 . Blank retired from the company in 2001 as co-chairman. /Filter /DCTDecode America has long struggled to deliver a fair and equitable democracy to all of its citizens. 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. 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. And I think this should be addressed out of respect and out of listening.". He received his MBA from Harvard. I understand that, but I respect it," said Blank. 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. So I'm happy to see that, you know, he came back to Atlanta and spent time here. And there are two [robbers] and they want to know, "Where's the money, where's the cash?" Steve Bullock, and the Democratic National Committee, to name a few, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission. What Would Trump Steal That is So Ultra Top Secret and Why? And next thing I know, he was sitting on his knees and with a gun to his head. And I think we got disconnected. Theres at least one more level to the Jon Gruden disaster that NFL fans should consider about the leagues remarkable influence. Blank is a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. Their frustration is real, and it must be acknowledged and addressed. So we designed our stadium to accommodate not just for the Atlanta Falcons and National Football League football American football but soccer as well. So, you know, soccer is on the ascent in the United States dramatically, which is a great thing. 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. >> One where guys like the Vikings' Mark and Zygi Wilf and Arthur (Home Depot) Blank of the Atlanta Falcons come off as comparatively rational. 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. He released a statement five days after Gov. The 79-year-old philanthropist has supported educational projects to promote civil rights and racial justice. We Have Every Reason To Expect a Lot More from the NFL, no promises that it will reveal everything it has found out. 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. It had to do with our set of values.". 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. /Height 155 Falcons owner Arthur Blank made a $15 million donation on Tuesday to The Cooper Institute, run by its founder Dr. Kenneth Cooper, a friend of Blank's and a strong proponent of preventive medicine. And Ambassador Young, another good friend would say the same thing. That was in 1979. But I would keep raising my hand. Arthur M. Blank Foundation donates over $5 million for mental health The Georgia Dome was also built for the Olympics, and construction for Philips Arenathe Hawks home, which sits next door to the Dome and where the previous basketball arena, the Omni Colosseum, once satbegan in 1997. CEIR works to build voter trust and confidence, increase voter participation and improve the efficiency of election administration. 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. We have to be better than burning down our own homes because if we lose Atlanta what else do we have?, I want you to go home. I remember I called the commissioner then, who was Paul Tagliabue, and I say, Well, Paul, I have this idea. . 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. Paul, are you there? ", It is your duty not to burn your own house down for anger with an enemy We have to be better than this moment. I've had conversations with a number of senators who made it very clear that some of their best friends, both politically and otherwise, are on the other side of the aisle. Soccer fans don't want to feel like they go into a stadium and they're a second-class citizen citizen. ATLANTA - Falcons team owner Arthur Blank has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the team's final game of the regular season. /Length 7 0 R 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. I mean, people were throwing tea off those boats because they were protesting, you know. Arthur Blank co-founded the Home Depot in the late 1970s after being fired from a regional hardware store chain in Southern California. ,> U#kw1%dHT6qZq]9Ki o 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 that was a low price a lower price than before Michael Vick the star quarterback was born 22 years before that. In 1978, both he and future Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank were fired during a corporate power struggle at Handy Dan. Blank retired as Home Depot's co-chairman in. He just opened the door. Sign up for notifications from Insider! In recent years Atlantas sports teams have attracted controversies that have highlighted the racial disparities that still largely define the city. 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. For more information about Life Itself, visit the . Arthur Blank on Trump policies: 'Troubled by anything that A documentary surrounding Brian Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian's surrogacy journey is set to air on RT on March 13. We hold all the records. 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. The ones in Atlanta on Friday started off peaceful but later turned into violent demonstrations and looting of local businesses. 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. But Still Not Even an Indictment. That coming the day before the New York Times dropped the bomb(s) about Gruden calling the NFL commissioner a faggot, ripping the leagues concussion protocols, (in other words, Grudens pro-concussion) and trading nudie pictures of cheerleaders. Despite being widowed at a young age, his mother managed the familys mail-order pharmaceutical business and sold it to a large retail conglomerate. Playoffs, playoff championships, etc. 14, He also had three children with his second wife of 16 years, Stephanie Blank. ATLANTA - Atlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank released a statement on Saturday following President Donald Trump's comments on Friday about the NFL. This must happen more than every four years, because theres no offseason for democracy. Now 78, he is largely beloved in Georgia as an entrepreneur, owner of two professional sports teams and a prolific philanthropist. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank responds to Georgia's election reforms I look at my six children, Batch 1, Batch 2, and, you know, they go from age 19 to age 52, if I have it right. 12, Blank has been married three times. Arthur Blank indicates that 2023 season is a must win for Arthur Smith He owns the team, after all. And, you know, living in poverty, we had friends coming by all the time and what have you. Dueling Visions for Minnesota: Scandinavia or South Dakota? You can do whatever you choose to do. No, I'm not. 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. Brian Dowling And Arthur Gourounlian Surrogacy Documentary Announced PDF Arthur blank politics OMG, Democrats Are Criminally Bad At Marketing What They Accomplish. 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. "He cares deeply about giving back and making a difference in people's lives. 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. We sold out the entire stadium in two-and-a-half hours. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. 03/03/2023. Its more like cowardly, and meatheaded. Sadly, sometimes these young men and women get involved in that cycle and they never get out of it. 16 Blanks son, Kenny Blank, also sits on the foundations board and is the executive director of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. Blank told Business Insider that despite their political differences, their different leanings never got in the way of their ability to work together as partners or as friends. I listen to what he says and sometimes I'll cringe. We Present You Trumps Deposition, More or Less Verbatim. I know you see my partner, Bernie, on Fox News very often. How could Trump possibly have lost re-election? 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. Why Should Tim Walz Even Bother Debating Scott Jensen? I want you to talk to 10 of your friends. My dad didn't look at who it was. 3 0 obj These are the kinds of people we need in leadership today, not thinking about red, blue, purple. 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. A co-founder of Home Depot increased his giving for children in the pandemic because, he said, "they don't always have the tools to deal with what's happened to them.". This is not a protest. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. They're a PR's dream because they rarely say the wrong thing. 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. The largest donor was Falcons owner Arthur Blank. Blank credits his mother with giving him his first lesson in entrepreneurship. And being a good listener, it's an art form that we all can possess. Well, I shouldn't say I'm not. So when we started, MLS was ranked like 22nd among all the leagues in the world. Arthur Blanks brother, Michael, and his father, Max, are photographed outside the OES Pharmacy family business, in 1940. So, that represents that melting-pot philosophy: Were all in this together. What I Learned Over One Cup of Coffee Yesterday Morning, You Want to Laugh at Liz Truss and The Brits. To anyone interested in a deeper dive into NFL culture I strongly recommend, Big Game by New York Times Magazine writer Mark Leibovich for an inside-the-suites sense of who says what to who when its more or less just them peer billionaires talking. 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. Blank also contributed $28,500 to the Obama Victory Fund in 2008. 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. 2023 Cox Media Group. "This grant will help The Center add to its existing . Now 78, he is largely beloved in Georgia as an entrepreneur, owner of two professional sports teams and a prolific philanthropist. And I love him. Arthur Blank responsible for sorry state of Falcons - ajc Yeah, It Could Have Been Worse. He would say, I don't need to be cut any slack, you know. More must be done to bring people together through meaningful change. But that was typical of my mother. Atlanta Falcons employees are most likely to be members of the Republican Party. Our frontline associates and all those businesses come next. Arthur Blank's Wives & Family: 5 Fast Facts | Heavy.com Please, please stop this violence!! We want to see the system that sets up for systemic racism burned to the ground. And the great political leaders in the past, they were civil and they were good listeners. Show up at the polls on June 9. 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. 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. But go ahead and do it, if that's what you want. So we did it. Then I would not be bashful about asking questions. 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%. Full statement from Arthur Blank: https://t.co/1lU870TGWa pic.twitter.com/0qejiahKKY, Please, please stop this violence!! meathead) culture inside the team formerly known as the Washington Redskins. Hey, Senate DFLers, Dont Forget The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact! 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 there was no disrespect to the military. She was a woman of great principle, great personal authority. endobj But we both said, you know, if we ever had to compete with Handy Dan that was the most successful conventional chain of home improvement center stores in the country at that time it would be with a large, no frills, downmarket store. 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 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 so from there, since the 2001- 2002 season, we've only had three games that were not sold out during the season. /Width 625 Friday on Political Rewind: Mary Rodgers grew up among some of Broadway's biggest names, from Sondheim to Bernstein. By Bob Bahr October 12, 2021, 5:48 pm. And that's an example of the happiness that we're talking about. And so he speaks to people throughout the United States, young people primarily, about that. 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. And at the top of that is who is being served comes first. And that's it. Players and coaches appear giving quick testimonials. endobj 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. 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. Is the Jensen-Birk Campaign Minnesotas WOAT? But he did. 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. endobj The system has worked well for the multi-billionaire and co-founder of The Home Depot. Sign up to receive GPB Event announcements via Email. But in any event, that was part of just being a good listener. He had three children with his first wife Diana Blank, whom he divorced in 1993. Generally speaking they dont do a lot to lift up the communities and neighborhoods around them. Arthur Blank talks sensible gun reform | CNN Home Depot cofounders Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus have long been on separate sides of the fence when it comes to politics.