Opponents of the bill argue it's too restrictive and targets minority voters. ATLANTA - Falcons team owner Arthur Blank has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the team's final game of the regular season. 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. 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, I think the great political leaders and the great spiritual leaders, in my view, have always, always opened up their arms and included everybody. /Type /XObject 5 Other Blank family businesses include the nationwide PGA TOUR Superstore as well as a handful of ranches across the country. We had a different leader [Robert Nardelli ] in place that was eventually replaced. This must happen more than every four years, because theres no offseason for democracy. 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. 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. It's good to be different, said Blank, but he said it's the intolerance of some that worries him about the future. 2023 Cox Media Group. 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%. Well, I shouldn't say I'm not. And it's all connected not only to associates, but to the communities in which we live and operate. 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. Do it in November. Kimball previously served as the vice president of network support at Teach for All. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. About Arthur Blank Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus cofounded Home Depot in 1978 after being fired from their jobs at a regional hardware store. 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. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is married to Angela Macuga, his third wife. The family foundation has already invested over $20 million into the surrounding community. She was a woman of great principle, great personal authority. Home Depot Cofounder Arthur Blank on Politics, Supporting Biden Additionally in 2014, the Atlanta Braves announced that they were building a new stadium outside the city in the northern suburbs, and leaving Turner Field, which was originally the site of Centennial Olympic Stadium for the 1996 summer games. The Falcons leadership knows how to play politics. 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. You need to figure out something else to do for the rest of your life. And after a while, he said, Would you please shut up? And she never did. 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. 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. In 1978, they were both fired from Handy Dans by a corporate raider who took over the chains parent company. 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. 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. 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. %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz 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. If executed improperly, this stadium could continue a long line of broken promises for this blighted community. The 79-year-old philanthropist has supported educational projects to promote civil rights and racial justice. 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. Their frustration is real, and it must be acknowledged and addressed. 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. Left to right: Dennis Ross, Arthur Blank, Bernie Marcus, Pat Farrah, Ron Brill. 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. 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. that those rights were not being fully reflected in our society today. We hold all the records. CEIR works to build voter trust and confidence, increase voter participation and improve the efficiency of election administration. The Number of White Teachers About to Get Fired is Exactly Zero. /Filter /DCTDecode 9. Lawlessness, vandalism and intentionally upending the peace with any form of violence has never been productive and is not the answer. 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 then he came up to my suite afterward and it was like 10, 15 minutes later, his face was just full of tears and he said that he was so moved by it. But I know where his heart is and his heart is really in a good place. 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. And Ambassador Young, another good friend would say the same thing. Because It Delivers Comfort, Status and Cash. Why Should Tim Walz Even Bother Debating Scott Jensen? 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. (Confidentiality, you know.) This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. If you don't make good choices, you can end up being in really bad places. When you burn down this city, youre burning down our community., If you want change in America, go and register to vote. /CreationDate (D:20210314125741+02'00') 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. C q" Arthur Blank gives $17M to National Center for Civil and Human Rights Those come first. GALEO has also handed out flyers at city events, supermarkets, and churches that target Latinos. I understand that, but I respect it," said Blank. But Id like to say to CNN right now: Karmas a mother. Soon after, Blank met his third wife Angela Macuga whom he married in 2016 and later announced their plans to divorce in 2019. The statement came about five days after Gov. Arthur Blank, Tyler Perry speak out about protests, riots Over the next two years (2021-2023), we will create an inclusive relationship with and among these grantees to share ideas, best practices, lessons and challenges. Arthur Blank greets a crowd of cheering Atlanta United fans in 2017. He fielded multiple quarterback-related questions and spoke glowingly of Ridder, who. They all understand it's, you know, you have an opportunity to be here on Earth and how do you want to leave it? And I love him. Atlanta, GA 30318 4, Blank purchased the NFLs Atlanta Falcons for more than $540 million shortly after stepping down as CEO of Home Depot. You're going to get a lot of your fellow owners really pissed. 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. Arthur Blank is firmly in Joe Biden's corner. And that's one of our core values as well: Include everybody. 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. Thats great. 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. Now, there's no place for violent protest. endobj "I know what he cares about and he cares about a lot of the same things that I care about.". They're a PR's dream because they rarely say the wrong thing. !, And listen to me, be careful where you are getting your information to JOIN protests!! When I left [Home Depot] in 2001, [it] was the second largest retailer in the world, second only to Wal-Mart. To many Atlantans, myself included, leaving Turner Field was symbolic of the white flight that has defined the city since the 1960s. 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. His daughter Dena is the executive director of the Kendeda Fund, a left-of-center private foundation founded by her mother, Diana Blank. 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. Generally speaking they dont do a lot to lift up the communities and neighborhoods around them. Home Depot cofounders Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus have long been on separate sides of the fence when it comes to politics. /ColorSpace /DeviceRGB 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. endobj The 79-year-old co-founder of Atlanta-based The Home Depot . } !1AQa"q2#BR$3br And the great political leaders in the past, they were civil and they were good listeners. 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. It's hard to believe. a guy regularly reviled by sportswriters, players and fans as a (very wealthy) toxic idiot. Political Affiliations of Retail Leaders - liveabout.com 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! It's our job is to serve the American people and I think we need to have more focus on that.". They all have a great set of values. Arthur Blank indicates that 2023 season is a must win for Arthur Smith This is not a good way to make a living. I'm not sure how they're going to receive you. But, we really could not have done it without great service, great pricing, and great product knowledge. He's committed to his wife now, his children. Her father was one half of Rodgers and Hammerstein. So, long story short, I think, is that we should recognize the past, understand the progress we have made. /AIS false GPB intern Eva Rothenberg contributed to this article. I have what's called a veil state, or I am a stutterer. Liz Cheney Aint Going Nowhere in This Republican Party, Jensens Abortion Ban Promises Come Back to Haunt Him, Thanks to Oppo. Copyright 2023 InfluenceWatch. This is chaos. In his new book, Good Company, Blank follows his own success to show that purpose and profit can and should coexist.