Against All Odds: Herman J. Russell’s Legacy Makes Waves in Boston’s Seaport

Derrick Chery, Director of Operations for the new Boston office of H.J. Russell & Company, stands before the construction site at 10 World Trade 📷: Mark Manne photography

Prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, racial segregation was common throughout many parts of the United States, especially the American South where it was legal, and often enforced with horrific violence

Atlanta, Ga., December 23, 1930 – Herman Jerome Russell is born one of eight children, and grows up poor, dyslexic, with a speech impediment, and Black in the segregated South. But for each disadvantage, Herman had many gifts. He was instilled with an extraordinary work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit from his parents. Educated at Booker T. Washington High School, he then went on to Tuskegee University in Alabama. He married and raised a family of three children with Otelia Hackney Russell: Donata Russell Ross, H. Jerome Russell, Jr., and Michael B. Russell, Sr.

Herman was not just excluded from doing business because he was Black, he was persecuted and in danger for doing business as a Black man. But his work ethic, invincible spirit, and personal charm helped him break down barriers across all cultures in a diverse and divided Atlanta at the time. Russell grew to become a highly successful business leader who could relate to all walks of life. He was a personal friend and advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a key member of the civil rights movement in terms of logistical, political, and financial support.

Herman J. Russell with President Jimmy Carter

In the 1970s, Russell’s successful subcontracting firm began working with larger white-owned general contractors in joint ventures, and eventually became a prime general contractor in its own right. By the 1980s, H. J. Russell & Company was one of the largest family-owned and non-white-owned businesses in the entire country.

Herman’s son Michael, who now heads H. J. Russell & Company as CEO, reflected on his father, “I think entrepreneurism is really the key that drives America. My father was the epitome of being able to recognize an opportunity, find the resources to take advantage of an opportunity, and add value in that equation. As he would like to say, ‘If you really want to control your own destiny, entrepreneurship is the only way to do that.’”

And Herman was the consummate entrepreneur, as evidenced by his diversifying into real estate development, property management, beverage distribution, television media, airport concessions, and sports franchises. In fact, Russell’s investment in the former Atlanta Flames of the NHL as well as the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA made him the first African American to share ownership in a major sports franchise.

While diversifying his holdings and revenue streams, Russell also diversified his company geographically. To date, the company has completed hundreds of construction projects across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic, H. J. Russell & Company found themselves partnered with Boston-based Suffolk Construction on a major infrastructure project in Texas, where a mutual respect between the two firms grew into a friendship. Over time, Michael Russell was convinced to explore business opportunities in Boston – one of the country’s hottest real estate and construction markets, and one which has become a national leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Boston’s strong efforts to emphasize DEI can be witnessed through what has become known as the “Massport Model,” after the Port Authority’s enduring and highly-acclaimed policy of promoting business opportunities and access for women and people of color.

In keeping with a tradition established by its founder, H. J. Russell & Company has entered the Boston market slowly and methodically – avoiding the pitfalls that have plagued so many who have tried to do the same. Together again with Suffolk Construction, Russell is on the construction management team for the 10 World Trade project in the Seaport District.

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington,  D.C.
Courtesy of H.J. Russell

“Suffolk is thrilled to partner with H.J. Russell on 10 World Trade in Boston, as well as other projects throughout the country,” says Jeff Gouveia, President of the Northeast for Suffolk. “Their company values align perfectly with Suffolk’s core values, and under Michael Russell’s leadership, H.J. Russell continues to grow as one of the premier construction firms in the United States. Our partnership, coupled with Suffolk’s long-standing friendship with the Hynes family and the team at BGI, brings a winning formula to 10 World Trade - an enormously important parcel in the Seaport and one of the most complex projects in the entire City of Boston.”

Built on Massport property, the 10 World Trade team considers itself the most diverse development in Boston. According to BGI project executive John Hynes IV, the project has  15% minority ownership and 33% of the development team is MBE, including Gosder Cherilus of Bastion Companies. Approximately 20% of design and consulting contracts have been awarded to MWBEs, as have over 20% of all construction contracts. When the building opens, Hynes notes that the team has a goal of awarding 40% or more of building operations contracts to MWBEs.

“This development team is doing amazing things across the board, including setting a new standard for inclusivity,” says Hynes. “But there is a very long trend of exclusion that we are up against, and in that context, one piece of real estate is just a drop in the bucket – but the hope is that projects like this have a ripple effect and that real lasting change takes hold over time. That requires a lot of hard work, a lot of patience, and it takes leadership from those like H.J. Russell and others who have overcome incredible adversity to show what’s possible.”

H.J. Russell’s new Boston office at 55 Seaport Blvd
Photo by Mark Manne Photography

In addition to their role on the construction management team at 10 World Trade, H.J. Russell has opened its own Boston office, subleasing a floor of space at BGI’s headquarters at 55 Seaport Blvd. While they are pursuing construction projects independently, they are also mentioned as a major component of the proposal submitted by BGI and RISE in response to a recent RFP from the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. "We are learning from our experiences at 10 World Trade," says Hynes, "and together with our partners at RISE and Bastion, we are raising the bar on ourselves with that proposal because we know how to do it, and we know it can be done."

Included in a documentary about his life, “Building Atlanta,” the late Herman J. Russell said, “A community… is a place that you live, a place that you fellowship in, an area that you share, you give love to one another, you are concerned about your neighbor’s kids. It’s a place where people have dialogue.” For the benefit of us all, Herman’s legacy, his family, and his company are now a celebrated and welcome part of our community here in Boston.

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About H.J. Russell & Company:

Founded in 1952, H. J. Russell & Company is one of the largest minority-owned real estate development and construction services firms in the United States. A multi-faceted organization providing integrated solutions and an exceptional customer experience, H. J. Russell & Company has developed, designed/built, renovated, and managed some of the nation’s most complex and high-profile projects involving multiple stakeholders and requiring exceptional diplomacy and skill. Throughout the company’s 70-year history, it has been committed to not only building structures but communities as well. Visit www.hjrussell.com to learn more about the firm. 

PR contact for H. J. Russell & Company: Betsy Helgager Hughes, BLH Consulting, Inc.; email: betsy@blhconsulting.net; phone: 404-771-9793

About 10 World Trade: 

10 World Trade is a 555,000+ square foot ground up development project in Boston’s Seaport District. The building features over 100,000 square feet of accessible public space, over 287,000 square feet of purpose-built lab / R&D space, and over 250,000 square feet of premium office space – all complimented by the highest levels of sustainability, future-proof smart building systems, and world class amenities. The Project broke ground in March 2022 and is on schedule for completion in December 2024. For more information, visit www.10worldtrade.com 

PR contact for 10 World Trade: John Hynes IV, Project Executive –jhynes4@bginvestors.com