About Us
Our Story
In 2015, four Black-owned construction firms — Brown & Momen, Powers & Sons Construction, Safeway Construction and UJAMAA Construction — came together to select majority-owned Turner Construction as the prime contractor for their Obama Presidential Center bid. This joint venture was named Lakeside Alliance.
With over 250 years of experience between them, Lakeside Alliance was selected as the builder of the Obama Presidential Center in 2018. With a deep understanding of the challenges facing underrepresented communities in the construction industry and a dedication to inspiring change, Lakeside Alliance made a commitment to use this historic opportunity to transform the paradigm in Chicago’s construction industry with a focus on transparency, sustainability and intentionality.
Lakeside Alliance is committed to ensuring this historic opportunity to celebrate the legacy of our nation’s first Black President will benefit local residents, drive investment into the community and usher in a new, more inclusive era of construction in Chicago.
“The world’s eyes are on the Obama Presidential Center project. So, with everything we do, we must do it with a purpose.”
— Ernest Brown | President, Brown & Momen, Inc.