He was the first to be licensed in Richmond, Virginia and he designed buildings on what became known as the "Black Wall Street of America".

[2] In 1909 the Virginia Union President gave Russell permission to begin his career as an architect.

He designed homes and commercial buildings in what was called Postletown or "Apostle Town" (now known as Jackson Ward).

His designs helped to transform the area into what was called the "Black Wall Street of America.

[12] In 1925,[13] the historic Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church was remodeled and extended by Russell.

[14] In 1942, in one of Russell's last jobs as an architect, he was tasked with supervising the move and reconstruction of the Belgian Building on the Virginia Union University grounds.

Twenty-seven different institutions wanted the building but it was granted to Virginia Union University.