Jimmy Akintonde Shines a Light on Black History in the Making

For Black History Month, Jimmy Akintonde — Lakeside Alliance Principal and Founder of UJAMAA Construction — shines a light on Lakeside Alliance’s success story, what he’s learned working alongside fellow Black-owned contractors and how joint ventures bring diversity to the table.

Before Lakeside Alliance came together, I had limited experience working with the firms in our joint venture. Though we worked on projects together from time to time, we primarily saw each other as competitors because we often bid for similar work. As an owner, I never had the chance to open up to fellow Black-owned contractors, get to know them personally or feel comfortable enough to honestly discuss the challenges we faced on projects or in the industry more broadly. Back then, I didn’t know what I was missing out on.

All of that began to change when the Lakeside Alliance joint venture was formed. Led by four Black-owned firms — Brown & Momen, Powers & Sons, Safeway and my company, UJAMAA — with partner Turner, Lakeside Alliance embarked on a journey in 2017 that would lead us to not only being awarded one of the most pivotal projects in our city’s history, but to forming lifelong connections that impact me in ways I could have never predicted.

As I reflected on Black History Month, it became clear that the story I wanted to tell was an inspiring one of what can happen when some of the best minds in the industry come together and truly work as a team. Construction isn’t easy, but what matters most is the way teams come together to solve problems. The experience of working through both the challenges and successes of this project alongside such a powerful team has inspired me everyday for six years, and fostered relationships that will last a lifetime.

I’ve come to appreciate what each person brings to the table, and I feel equally seen, heard and valued on my side. From Ernest Brown, I’m learning balance and to not take myself too seriously. Mamon Powers Jr. teaches me to be proud, to recognize what the Black contractors before me went through and own the responsibility I have to look out for the folks who will come after me. Kelly Powers Baria helps show me the power of trust and teamwork. While there’s too many individuals to name, the collective team that makes up Lakeside Alliance has continually reminded me that I am not alone.

Just as the Obama Presidential Center will impact the surrounding community long after the project is completed, Lakeside Alliance will continue to impact the construction industry and how project teams elevate diversity. I have traveled the country since the start of this project and, no matter where I am, local markets dial in right away when I begin to talk about the Lakeside Alliance model. We’re already seeing this formula get repeated in other markets — and it’s working.

From this experience, I hope that fellow owners can see the value that joint ventures like Lakeside Alliance can provide to their teams and their clients. I think this is the only way to deliver complex projects in the city of Chicago, or any other city. Bringing together people with different backgrounds, expertise and lived experiences leads to diversity of ideas, diversity of problem solving and diversity of possibilities. It’s a net plus for everyone.

For the relationships it has forged and the example it has set for the rest of the industry, Lakeside Alliance is Black history in the making. From day one, I understood how the Obama Presidential Center would change lives in the community. Now I understand how it changed mine.