Help Build the Obama Presidential Center
Explore how you can help build the Obama Presidential Center, including construction job and training opportunities.
The Obama Presidential Center will be a catalyst for long-overdue investment in and around Chicago’s historic Jackson Park—bringing 700,000 people to the South Side every year, creating a new destination to move visitors from hope to action, driving other development in the area, and creating job opportunities for Chicagoans, especially for residents on the South and West Sides.
We believe the Obama Presidential Center should be built by a team that looks like the Center’s surrounding community, and we’re working hard to make sure that happens. We hope you’ll join us.
Are you looking for a construction job?
If you would like to be considered for a career in construction with the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, please visit the We Can Build It consortium website to submit your information. Let's get started +
Are you a business owner in Chicago?
If you own a business and would like to be a subcontractor with the Obama Presidential Center, please tell us more about your work. Let's get started+
Meet the Team
To help us reach the ambitious goals we’ve set for ensuring a diverse workforce, we’ve teamed up with a range of Chicago-based organizations who are experienced in tapping into the boundless talent of neighborhoods across Chicago. Get to know them below.
Lakeside Alliance
Our builder, Lakeside Alliance, brings together four of the largest, most respected Black-owned construction firms in Chicago, with one of the largest construction management firms in the country. Currently Lakeside Alliance is managing subcontractors for the Obama Presidential Center project. Learn more about the Lakeside Alliance.
Members of the Lakeside Alliance include: Brown & Momen, Inc., Powers & Sons Construction Company, UJAMAA Construction Inc., Safeway Construction Company, and Turner Construction Company.
We Can Build It
The We Can Build It Consortium, an Obama Foundation initiative, was created to get more local residents involved in the building trades. We Can Build It is committed to building a pipeline of diverse talent that is not only equipped to build the Obama Presidential Center, but are also prepared to participate in future projects across the city. We have committed $850,000 to train 400 new apprentices from the South and West Sides.
From outreach, to test preparation and job placement, the consortium is ready to help any Chicagoan—no matter their background or experience—establish a successful career in construction. Learn more about We Can Build It.
Members of the consortium include: Chicago Women in Trades, the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute, HIRE360, Revolution Workshop, St. Paul Community Development Ministries, Sunshine Gospel Ministries, and the YWCA.
Our Goals
We have ambitious workforce goals. Check them out below.
50 percent of our work will be done with minority-, women-, or veteran-owned businesses.
50 percent of the Center’s on-site construction work will be performed by Chicago residents.
We will bring new customers to small businesses around the Center and beyond.
Are you looking for a construction job?
If you would like to be considered for a career in construction with the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, please visit the We Can Build It consortium website to submit your information.Let's get started +
Are you a business owner in Chicago?
If you own a business and would like to be a subcontractor with the Obama Presidential Center, please tell us more about your work. Let's get started+