We Build: The Podcast

On this episode of We Build: The Podcast, Paul and Lonoia are joined by Stedman Graham. Known by many as being Oprah's partner, he is clear about himself, who he is, and so much more. As an author of 12 books, he shares what inspired his latest book, "Identity Leadership” and offers words of wisdom for all ages. "It's not how the world defines you, it's how you define yourself." Through his conversation with Lonoia and Paul, he guides the listeners through the thoughtful, self-reflective approach to achieving self-actualization and maximizing one's potential and being self-empowered. Although he describes many roadblocks that may exist in society and that many put in their own way, he offers a roadmap to navigating them, starting first with one's own understanding of self and the vision they have for their future. This is a must-listen podcast to those who want to get it together, and those who think they have it all figured out. 

On this episode of We Build: The Podcast, Paul and Lonoia are joined by Delilah Wynn Brown, the Director of Real Estate Development at H. J. Russell & Company. Delilah shares, how from a very young age, she was interested in architecture and was the only girl in her high school drafting class when it wasn’t generally allowed or encouraged for girls to take. Although her initial path was to become an architect, she really wanted to focus on community building and helping people have nice places to live. So, she refocused her education and career towards city planning and placemaking. She explored development and program management during her first stint at Russell, which gave her a chance to merge the technical with the creative aspects of building. After running a program management consulting business with a partner for nearly 20 years, she rejoined Russell. In this episode, she tells stories of what she learned from Mr. Herman J. Russell, the founder of Russell, and inspires others, who may be following non-traditional paths. Delilah concludes by sharing the details of a recently completed project, Marchon—one of Atlanta’s latest transit oriented developments just south of downtown, adjacent to the King Memorial MARTA transit station and the Historic Oakland Cemetery. She explains how it came to life and how it now offers nearly a third of its units as WorkForce housing, making it a more affordable place to live for working people and families. A project that lives up to her dreams as a child.

On this episode of We Build: The Podcast, Paul and Lonoia introduce you to Dave Pridemore, Founder and Executive Director of Camp Grace, an overnight camp for underserved youth featuring three camps on 300 acres with 500 beds, three fishing lakes, a pool, football field, and several additional features. Expanding to build a STEAM learning center to inspire and motivate youth, Camp Grace hopes to impact 7,000 - 8,000 youth each summer. His vision is crystal clear and supported by celebrities, athletes, and CEO’s like Michael B. Russell of H. J. Russell & Company. 

On this episode of We Build: The Podcast, Paul Bryant, Vice President of External Relations, interviews PGA golfer, Jeff Dunovant, Director of Golf Operations at First Tee Metro Atlanta and the John A. White Park Golf Course. He’s also the Chairman and President of the National Black Golf Hall of Fame. Jeff shares his family’s rich history with the game of golf, following in his father’s PGA footsteps, making him and his father, Harold Dunovant, the first and only Black father and son members of the PGA. You’ll be captivated by the stories he shares of his family’s experiences as Black golfers over the years. He expounds on his desire and passion to diversify and change the face of golf. He shares what it took to become a member of the PGA in the past, and what the process is like today. It’s a fascinating interview that will leave you wanting to research more about the history of the game of golf and their father/son success in spite of it. 

On this episode of We Build: The Podcast, Lonoia Murphy, Senior Director of Marketing, turns the tables and interviews her co-host Paul Bryant, the VP of External Relations who spearheads Russell CARES, the philanthropic arm of H. J. Russell & Company. Throughout the interview, they discuss how philanthropy has been a big part of the fabric of the company, from the very beginning, 70 years ago. They also talk about the focus areas for their giving and the criteria for an organization to be eligible to receive support. Paul also shares more about the Annual Russell Rocks The Block event, where Russell companies and entities come together to say thank you to the community. Listen in to find out how Russell CARES got started and what its future holds.

On this episode of We Build: The Podcast, Paul and Lonoia introduce you to three of the company’s interns, who hail from three different Atlanta-based Historically Black Colleges & Universities—Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University and Spelman College. They share their unique personal and academic experiences on their different campuses and interning at H. J. Russell & Company. They share what they’ve learned about Russell’s founder, Herman J. Russell, since beginning their internship. 

On this episode of We Build: The Podcast, Paul and Lonoia are joined by Todd Pettigrew, a Scheduling Manager for H. J. Russell & Company. Todd, an engineer by training, has been with the company for more than six years, and he played in integral role in the award-winning City of Atlanta Water Supply Program. In his role as the project scheduler, he was responsible for developing the game plan in regards to scheduling, putting it together and monitoring the process, making and suggesting adjustments and tracking the project to get the job done. As one of the most complex projects in the company’s history, in partnership with PC Construction, the project gives the City of Atlanta about 2.4 billion gallons of water as a reserve and increases the amount of time to make any potential repairs to pumps or related equipment from 6 days before the tunnel and reservoir was formed to now over 30 days without having to ration water. In addition to his construction scheduling expertise, Todd also shares details about his upbringing and various jobs that eventually led him to his current position, as well as his love for flying planes and figure skating.

On this episode of We Build: The Podcast, Lonoia Murphy is joined by Claudette Hanks, H. J. Russell & Company’s Diversity Manager. Claudette, who joined the company in the Birmingham, AL office more than 30 years ago, shares how one question posed to her early in her Russell career by Mr. Herman J. Russell, the founder, earned her the opportunity to work in every company division except for the Property Management group. Not only does she weave in lessons learned from Mr. Russell, but she also shares the extra focus and attention the firm CEO, Michael B. Russell, Sr. is giving to diversity, equity and inclusion, including the company’s new READI Program (Russell Educational Academy for Diversity and Inclusion). The program is designed to better engage with and prepare the firm’s trade partners/subcontractors, especially the minority and women-owned companies that want to do business with Russell. 

On this episode of We Build: The Podcast, Paul and Lonoia are joined by Shaun Reinhardt, VP & Project Partner, and Jordan Jones, Government Relations Associate, of Dominium, a leading national affordable housing developer. With regional offices in Atlanta, Phoenix and Minneapolis, Dominium believes in making a positive difference in the cities and neighborhoods they call home. In this episode, Shaun and Jordan discuss the importance of addressing the affordable housing crisis as well as the foundational values shared between Dominium and H. J. Russell & Company, particularly building with a focus to serve the community. Just one of the exciting projects between Dominium and H. J. Russell & Company includes a $130-million investment of affordable senior independent living and family housing in the Greenbriar community of Atlanta, where the Magic Johnson Theater was located. Listen in and learn more.

On this episode of We Build: The Podcast, Paul is joined for the second time by the inspiring legend of networking and Black wealth building, Dr. George C. Fraser. As a motivational speaker and 6-time best-selling author (Success Runs In Our Race), Dr. Fraser kicks off the new year and Black History Month by looking back and looking forward. From exposing and navigating the challenges with voting rights and the civil rights movement, to sharing his personal recommendations for newfound wealth-building opportunities. He has set his New Year’s resolution to focus on what he believes is the “true struggle” while also sharing a personal story about how one speech he heard early in life impacted his mission to focus on race. His insights and enthusiasm for the advancement of the Black community is riveting. He also shares an exclusive offer for his Power Networking Conference just for We Build listeners. Join us once again to listen to learn at the feet of this community giant.