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[[image]] Jesse Hill, Jr. President and Publisher, Atlanta Inquirer Jesse Hill—the Complete Renaissance man—is either involved directly of [[or]] indirectly in every phase of Atlanta's political, economic, social and religious life. However, realizing that the family structure is the core of stability in all of the institutions by which man lives, he gives his lovely wife Azira, and their two daughters, Nancy and Azira, the essentials, both intrinsic and extrinsic, that make for a good, wholesome family life. Hill is a member of Big Bethel A.M.E. Church, where, among other positions, he is a member of the Board of Stewards, and for many years, Superintendent of the Sunday School. He is a major factor in the growth and development of the church and gives unstintingly of time, talent, and economic support. Coming to Atlanta 25 years ago from St. Louis, Missouri, Hill with a B.S. degree from Lincoln University and a Master's in Actuary Mathematics and Business Administration from the University of Michigan, quickly became a voice to be heard and a man to be depended upon. Confidante and advisor to Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon, Hill was as instrumental as any other American who believed that the country needed a man in the White House who was sensitive to the needs and aspirations of the people, in assuring the election of Jimmy Carter to the Presidency. He was on the first—not just the first Black—to recognize the unique qualities of President Carter for this important position. As a result of his faith, in the man, combined with his political insights and his astuteness in assessing human character, he was successful in helping to bring together concerned people from both the Black political and economic community of Atlanta that helped to raise, according to the New York Times, $1.5 of the $7.9 million. Listed among Atlanta Magazine's 200 City Shapers in its Bicentennial edition, Hill is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, a member of the Board of Regents of the University Systems of Georgia, Recipient of the 1973 Abe Goldstein award of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, and in 1972 he was presented the Temple Award—a singular honor. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Symphony. Jesse Hill has proved to be a moving force in both local and national politics. He has helped to organize and direct the campaign of State Representative Julian Bond, Mayor Maynard Jackson, and was indispensable in the highly successful campaign of Andrew Young for 5th District Congressman. A person of multi-faceted involvements. Hill is chairman of the National Alliance of Businessmen and serves on the Executive Committee of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and a president elect of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, becomes the first Black to hold such a position. As Director of MARTA, his work has circumvented many of the ills that have affected other Rapid Transit Systems. Under his leadership, the Metro Atlanta National Alliance of Businessmen served as a nationwide model in providing jobs for hardcore unemployed in 1971. As Chairman of the Atlanta Crime Commission, including businessmen, lawyers, doctors, and other concerned citizens, Jesse Hill has the responsibility of not only helping to identify the causes of the most prevalent crime areas, but also of aiding in the streamlining of crime prevention methods. He sees his responsibility as being threefold-indentification [[three-fold identification]] of causes, alleviation of causes, and an education of the citizenry to the effect that crime, unresolved and unsolved, has on all their lives. In recognition of his service to all mankind, the Republic of Korea presented to Jesse Hill an honorary Doctor of Laws in 1976. [[image]] Herman J. Russell Chairman of the Board The Atlanta Inquirer Dubbed the "quiet giant" by Atlanta Magazine, October, 1971, Herman J. Russell's influence, talents, and beliefs have spoken loudly in the areas of Civil Rights, the growth of his beloved Atlanta, and in his faith that, with the right kind of leadership, America can live up to its Constitution's mandate. Russell, a product of "ghetto" Atlanta, arrived at Tuskegee Institute, Alabama, with on quarter's tuition. By virtue of a desire to succeed and hard work, he was graduated from Tuskegee in 1953 with a diploma in building construction. Inheriting his father's business in 1957, he has been instrumental in changing the skyline of Atlanta. Using travel as a means of social outlet, Russell has visited to 15 European countries and the Orient, the latter being his favorite, because just as he was able to rise above seemingly unconquerable odds, he can relate to the way that the Chinese and Japanese have been able to overcome the devastations of World War II. In addition to his fund raising [[fundraising]] involvement in the Black community, Russell is a member of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce (the first Black to hold membership), The Rapid Transit Commission, Fulton-Dekalb Hospital Authority, the Metropolitan Community Chest, and is recently the first Black appointed to the Board of the World Congress Center. He was named by Atlanta Magazine among the first 200 "City Shapers"...past and present in its Bicentennial edition. Russell, the "quiet giant," was one of the most important figures in Black politics and Black economics in Atlanta that banded together to send Jimmy Carter to Washington. Russell, the third largest stockholder in Citizens' Trust Bank, Atlanta's only Black-controlled bank, lives quietly with his wife, Otelia, and their three children—two boys and a girl. [[image]] John B. Smith Executive Vice President and Advertising Director The Atlanta Inquirer Affectionately known as "J.B." by friends and close associates, Smith, before the advent of Haley's widely acclaimed and tremendously moving Roots, decided to research his family's line age [[lineage]]. Among other things, he 462
