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Black Economic Development in Atlanta

    Since the early 1970s, Atlanta has enjoyed the reputation as a Mecca for black economic development. Perhaps the most significant boost to this image came when the city elected its first black Mayor, Maynard Jackson, who served two terms from 1974 to 1981, ushered in 18 years of black political leadership at city hall and helped create an environment in which the number of black-owned companies tripled, from 3961 in 1977 to 11804 firms today. Atlanta now ranks sixth among U.S. cities in the number of black-owned businesses.

    In 1982, Jackson was succeeded by Andrew Young, who became the city’s second elected two-term black mayor. During the Young administration, Atlanta’s minority participation goal was increased to 35 percent on all city contracts. By this time, the city’s Minority and Female Business Enterprise (MFBE) program was a model for the nation – not only because it created greater access to public work, but because it paved the way for Atlanta’s minority-owned firms to do business in the private sector as well.

    Between 1973 and 1988, the city of Atlanta awarded almost 1600 contracts to 612 minority-owned firms. The average value of those contracts was more than $300,000. During the same period, minority firms received 38 percent of the $283 million in joint-venture contracts awarded by the city.

    “Fair government created an environment for success for all people, ” says Herman J. Russell, chairman and CEO of H.J. Russell & Co. “I was ready to take advantage of opportunities when the doors opened. That’s the key.” Russell, who started his construction empire in 1952, won $75.2 million in contracts through the city’s MFBE program between 1980 and 1990. In 1972, the company grossed $6 million; in 1991, it posted sales of $143.6 million.

Notes: Mecca原为Mecca伊斯兰教圣地麦加，此处指“向往的地方”。 usher in 迎来。gross v. 总收入。post v. 公布。