Atlanta Just Made History at John A. White and Here’s Why It Matters

Written by Mellanda Reese | Jan 23, 2026 1:17:10 PM

Atlanta often discusses legacy. This week marked real progress toward making it tangible.

For the first time, two Black-owned general contractors are serving as the prime team on a public-sector project in Atlanta.

H.J. Russell & Company and FS 360 were selected by the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority to lead the $25 million redevelopment of the John A. White Golf Course and Senior Activity Center in Southwest Atlanta.

This moment reflects years of policy, preparation, and persistence finally coming together in a meaningful way.

From Policy to Leadership in Atlanta Construction

Atlanta’s construction industry didn’t change overnight. It changed because of policy.

In the 1970s, former mayor Maynard Jackson introduced minority participation requirements for city contracts, despite early resistance and doubts about the capacity of minority-owned firms.

Over time, Atlanta proved those doubts were unfounded.

Those policies not only opened doors but also helped build firms like H.J. Russell & Company, which became one of the nation’s largest minority-owned construction firms and played a significant role in shaping Atlanta’s skyline.

Why This Joint Venture Matters

The John A. White project marks a historic milestone not just because of who was selected, but how the work is structured. The joint venture places both firms in shared prime leadership, with equal decision-making authority, accountability, and responsibility for delivery at the highest level of a public investment.

Michael B. Russell Sr., CEO of H.J. Russell & Company, and Ernest L. Ellis, founder and CEO of FS 360, demonstrate what is possible when opportunity and preparation align across generations of Black-owned businesses.

The Role NAMC Played

While the project award reflects the strength and leadership of the joint venture team, organizations like the National Association of Minority Contractors of Greater Atlanta play an important role in what follows.

NAMC has spent years supporting minority-owned firms by providing advocacy, technical assistance, and guidance on competing for and managing complex public contracts.

For the John A. White project, NAMC worked with Russell and FS 360 to help connect local subcontractors and suppliers to upcoming opportunities. This outreach helped ensure qualified local firms were aware of the project and positioned to participate.

That role matters. Large public projects move quickly, and without clear pathways to information and access, many capable firms can be left out—not because of a lack of skill, but because of limited visibility.

A Project Grounded in Community

The John A. White Golf Course has been a valuable part of the community for many years.

Since 1929, it has hosted youth programs and fostered community ties through sports and mentorship.

The redevelopment will introduce new amenities designed to serve residents across generations, including:

Atlanta’s first dedicated senior activity center
Wellness and fitness spaces
A modernized golf center and restaurant
Conference and community meeting spaces
Enhanced facilities for youth programs

The goal is not only to modernize, but also to make sure the site continues to serve the community for years to come.

Why This Moment Extends Beyond One Project

The John A. White project is an example of what meaningful inclusion looks like in practice.

It is not just symbolic participation.

It is not about subcontracting at the margins.

It is shared leadership on a major public investment.

It also signals to minority-owned firms across Atlanta that large-scale opportunity is possible when systems are structured to support real growth.

Bottom Line

This is more than a win for two companies.

It reflects a shift in Atlanta’s public-sector contracting—from participation to partnership, and from access to ownership.

With the John A. White project, Atlanta did more than approve another redevelopment. It set a new standard.

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