Swan House Ball

The Atlanta History Center announces the chairmen for the 2011 Swan House Ball, Lovette Russell and Jack Sawyer, and our distinguished honorary chairman, Herman J. Russell. 

Arthur Blank said of Mr. Russell, that his legacy “extends well beyond the landmark physical structures he has helped to create.  It is as much about how he has done it, through relations and partnerships he has forged and the strength of leadership he has shown through the years, all of which have had an enormous influence in helping Atlanta fulfill its promise.  Much of what we have achieved as a city wouldn’t have been possible without him.”

Mr. Russell first demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit as a young man in the late 1950s, and quickly became a leader in business and in the community.  He was the first African American member of the
Atlanta Chamber of Commerce in the 1960s and became its second African American president in 1980.  Over the years, his family-run business, which began in construction, became involved in some of the city’s major civic projects, including Atlanta City Hall, the Carter Presidential Center, Turner Field, Grady Memorial Hospital, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and the Atlanta History Center.

His business, H.J. Russell and Company, evolved from construction-related services into the fields of communications, airport concessions, and sports.  Described by Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce president Sam Williams as “one of the great bridge builders for business, civic, and racial cooperation,” Russell is a committed philanthropist, generously donating to several of Atlanta’s leading universities and Hughes Spalding Children’s Hospital. 

“The History Center has a civic duty to tell Atlanta’s stories,” said president and CEO Sal Cilella.  “And few personal histories are as compelling and as emblematic of the best of our city’s history as the story of Herman Russell.  The respect and admiration in which he is held is inspiring and we are proud to be able to help honor his many remarkable contributions to Atlanta and to the nation.”

Swan House Ball co-chairman Lovette Russell, a widely admired philanthropist, is a committed advocate for children’s causes and an active volunteer leader for a variety of Atlanta nonprofits, including Children’s Healthcare, the High Museum, the YWCA, Zoo Atlanta, Sheltering Arms, and her alma mater, Spelman College.  She was honored as a YWCA Woman of Achievement in 2009. 

Jack Sawyer is the Southeast regional president for Wilmington Trust and is well known for his commitment to Atlanta’s cultural and civic institutions.  Honored at the Swan House Ball in 2009 for his service to the community, Sawyer served on a History Center steering committee to develop support for the current Civil War to Civil Rights series of exhibitions and programs.  He is also an active leader for the High Museum, the Savannah College of Art and Design, Zoo Atlanta, Children’s Healthcare, Open Hand, Atlanta Humane Society, and the Shepherd Center.

Ms. Russell and Mr. Sawyer have each chaired many of the city’s leading charitable events and bring both experience and commitment to producing the History Center’s principal fundraiser, which generates essential operating support for education programs and other mission-related activities.

The Swan House Ball takes place on Saturday, April 30, 2011.  For further information, contact Kathleen Egan.

 

Check out images from the 2009 Ball on  

Or, click below to view pictures of prior Swan House Balls.