LA Stories
Workforce Spotlight: Marquis Ruffin
Born and raised in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, Marquis was first introduced to the building trades through St. Paul Community Development Ministries’ twelve-week pre-apprenticeship training program. After completing his carpentry apprenticeship, he joined the team at W.E. O’Neil as part of Concrete Collective and began working on the Obama Presidential Center project.
The Top 4 Things to Know About Apprenticeships
From November 13-17, employers, industry associations, educators, unions and community-based organizations come together to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week and raise awareness of careers requiring skilled labor. As we enter National Apprenticeship Week, here are the top four things to know about apprenticeships.
Careers in Construction: Every Role Is a Piece of the Puzzle
October is Careers in Construction Month, an opportunity to shine a light on the more than 180 roles one might find within a construction project. Every role is essential to getting to the finish line, some of which have nothing to do with fabricating steel, pouring concrete, or architecture and design. Lakeside Alliance, builder of the Obama Presidential Center, checked in with members of our team who occupy roles that may not always be the first to come to mind, but cover a range of responsibilities that are essential to the project.
Subcontractor Spotlight: BrightView
Lakeside Alliance is proud to spotlight BrightView, one of the nation’s leading commercial landscape companies.
Maliq Cherry Continues His Grandfather’s Legacy at Lakeside Alliance Principal Firm Powers & Sons
Maliq and his grandfather are not the only ones making a multi-generational impact at Powers & Sons. Mamon Powers, Jr., CEO and Chairman of the Board of Powers & Sons, is following in the footsteps of his father, Mamon Powers, Sr., who founded the firm in 1967. Today, third generation leadership — including Lakeside Alliance’s very own Kelly Powers Baria, daughter of Mamon Powers Jr. — is stepping in to lead the firm’s next chapter.
Rising Stars in Construction Look Back At Their Summer on Team OPC
In their own words, Kelli Caruvana, Hakeem Ahmad, Marshall Ellis, Julian Mejia, and Raphael Cardamone explain why they are pursuing careers in construction, what they’ve learned during their internship, and what being a part of this historic project has meant to them.
Workforce Spotlight: Jasmine Scott
Originally from Houston, Texas, Jasmine Scott moved to Chicago in 2020. While looking for a new career path, she connected with Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) to learn more about the construction industry and its various professional opportunities. Lakeside Alliance spoke with Jasmine about her role on the Obama Presidential Center project, career advice and what it means to her to be a part of the Center.
Supporting Local Food Truck Vendors
On June 20, we invited diverse food truck vendors from around the city to attend an informational session at the Lakeside Alliance Resource Center. Attendees gained access to educational and financial resources to help them grow and learned how they can get involved in the OPC project in a meaningful way – by providing delicious and diverse cuisine to the people working on site.
Respect, Dignity and Active Caring: Promoting Mental Health Conversations in Construction
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about mental health and behavioral issues and make room for critical conversations about reducing the stigma that many people experience when they’re struggling, including at work.
Subcontractor Spotlight: Spotlight Cleaning Service Inc.
Lakeside Alliance is proud to spotlight Spotlight Cleaning Service Inc, the very first vendor to begin work on the historic Obama Presidential Center project.
Subcontractor Spotlight: Air Design Systems
Lakeside Alliance is proud to spotlight Air Design Systems Inc, one of only a handful of women-owned sheet metal/HVAC businesses in the United States.
Women in Construction Week 2023: Who Builds the World? Girls!
To kick off Women in Construction Week 2023, Lakeside Alliance hosted “Who Builds the World? GIRLS!”, an event where young women and girls in grades 6 through 12 could immerse themselves in the world of construction, and be inspired and instructed by women working in the industry.
Workforce Spotlight: Alyssa Cuba
Alyssa Cuba, an ironworker with Lakeside Alliance, was the first in her family to pursue a career in the trades. Check out our interview with Alyssa where she describes how rebar is the “skeleton” of buildings, the advice she’d give to young women and girls considering a career in construction and what excites her most about the project.
2022 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report: Intentionality That Drives Results
Change doesn’t happen overnight, but as a result of intentionality and determination. That’s why Lakeside Alliance is proud to share our 2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report documenting our changemaking efforts. There is a long way to go before the center opens, but the report shows important progress in meeting our ambitious DEI goals set in partnership with the Obama Foundation.
Ernest Brown Remembers Architect Kenneth G. Groggs
For Black History Month, Ernest Brown — Lakeside Alliance Principal and President of Brown & Momen, Inc. — reflects on his formative relationship with architect Kenneth G. Groggs, the lead designer of the iconic FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., co-founder of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and the first African American to serve as Illinois State Architect.