LA Stories
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.
Subcontractor Spotlight: IBuilders Corp.
Lakeside Alliance is proud to spotlight Ibuilders Corp., the firm that was awarded the the general trades carpentry package for the Obama Presidential Center project. For this Subcontractor Spotlight, we spoke with IBuilders’ President and Owner, Marco Romero. Read on below!
Workforce Spotlight: Kamonte Brown
Kamonte Brown found his path in construction with the support of St. Paul Community Development Ministries, a We Can Build It Consortium Partner, and their twelve-week pre-apprenticeship training program.
The Lakeside Alliance Team Looks Back on 2022
As we near the end of 2022, we asked the Lakeside Alliance team how they would sum up the year and what they are most looking forward to in 2023.
Second Generation Plumber and Navy Vet Shawn Marsh Shares Hopes for the OPC and More
Lakeside Alliance caught up with the U.S. Navy veteran ahead of Veterans’ Day on November 11 to thank him for his service, learn more about his journey in the industry and hear about his greatest hopes for the OPC.
A Hispanic Heritage Month Interview with Jorge Escarpita and Luis Puig
Jorge Escarpita, founder and president of Escarpita Construction, and Luis Puig, president of ALL Masonry, have conquered barriers and bias in the industry, and won. Both agree that winning key roles in the creation of such a high-profile, large project is especially meaningful for them and their respective businesses.
Resource Center Leaves the Door Open to Opportunity
Not until 2025 will visitors from around the world be able to walk the halls and grounds of the Obama Presidential Center. In the meantime, Lakeside Alliance’s new in-person Resource Center is open and the place where community members can come to connect with this historic building project and learn about opportunities with Lakeside Alliance.
Workforce Spotlight: Sharika Harris
A graduate of George W. Collins High School in North Lawndale, Sharika Harris found her career path with the help of Chicago Women In Trades and got connected to the Obama Presidential Center project via the We Can Build It Consortium.
Subcontractor Spotlight: U.S. Architectural Glass & Metal
As one of only a handful of minority-owned glazing companies in the United States, U.S. Architectural Glass & Metal will install the exterior glass for the Obama Presidential Center. For this Subcontractor Spotlight, we spoke with U.S. Architectural’s Founder and President, Ernest Edwards.
INTERNSHIPS | The A Team
If you visited the job site this summer, you might have met one of the five interns from Lakeside Alliance partner companies who spent an exciting summer working on the historic Obama Presidential Center project. These young people were part of an A Team of future engineers, construction managers and architects who were invited to take part in the most impactful assignment they could hope for.
SURPRISE! President Obama Drops in on OPC Site
President Barack Obama stopped by the site of the Obama Presidential Center this summer, and based on the reactions shared by the workers he spoke with, the memory is one they will treasure for a lifetime.