Transformative Progress: Our 2023 Community Impact Report

From the moment we were first awarded the honor of building the Obama Presidential Center, Lakeside Alliance made it our mission to change the paradigm of construction and create opportunities for communities and residents who historically have been excluded from the industry. Collectively, we committed to intentionally hiring and preparing a workforce that looks like the community surrounding the Center and awarding bid packages to diverse businesses. In partnership with the Obama Foundation, we set ambitious goals to guide this work.

Now, at the halfway mark to the project’s completion, we are proud to release our second Community Impact Report to demonstrate our progress in meeting and exceeding these goals. The report shows that our model is not only effective, but replicable and sustainable.

In 2023, 67% of hours worked on site were performed by African Americans, Asians, Hispanics and Native Americans. Additionally, 52% of hours were performed by Chicago residents, including 38% from the South and West sides and 14% from local neighborhoods surrounding the Center. According to James Wallace, Midwest Regional Manager for Business Development at subcontractor BrightView, “There has never been a project this aggressive about bringing local people to the job site and putting them to work.”

Of the $454 million committed to date, 35% is with minority business enterprises (MBEs), 15% with women-owned businesses (WBEs) and 9% with contractors from the community. This meets or exceeds our goals of 35%, 10%, and 7%, respectively. “This project gives minority firms the opportunity to show what they’re capable of when given the chance,” said Ernest Edwards, Founder and President of subcontractor U.S. Architectural Glass & Metal.

This progress doesn’t happen without intentionality, nor does it happen overnight. “We have done a ton of outreach. Since starting back in 2018, we may have spoken to over 300 businesses,” said Pamyla Brown, who co-leads diversity and inclusion for Lakeside Alliance.

Though there is still more work to be done, Lakeside Alliance remains committed to moving forward with our partners to level the playing field and create a model of intentional hiring and community investment through the Center’s opening and beyond.

As Brown recently put it, “For as much as it’s about the building that’s coming together, it’s about the building of lives that’s happening as well. It’s hard work but it’s also heart work.”