LA Stories
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.
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.