Construction Cares

NON-PROFIT AIMS TO HELP CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN NEED

A career in construction can be extremely rewarding. But for African-Americans in the industry, the road to success is often paved with obstacles, including systemic racial bias, that make it more challenging to find work. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has added an extra layer of stress for a large segment of AfricanAmerican tradespeople whose opportunities are increasingly limited as construction projects have slowed down.

When they are between jobs, many of these workers struggle to cover their essential living expenses, leaving them vulnerable to food insecurity and homelessness. All of this can have a devastating impact on the workers and their families.

For the staff at Communities Empowered Through Construction, these stories of struggle were all too common among the population they serve, so they decided to answer the call for help. Construction Cares is a non-profit organization that was born out of the CEC’s desire to support often overlooked and underserved members of the construction community. Giving these workers a helping hand allows them to focus on finding viable employment opportunities.

“In the construction industry, African-Americans are usually the last hired and the first fired,” said Executive Director, Rachel Ivy. “We want to be there to support them when things get tough.”

Construction Cares’ core initiatives include providing financial support, mentoring opportunities, and educational workshops for construction workers in need. Their efforts have ranged from offering rental assistance for needy workers to providing a care basket and gift card for a construction worker who had recently lost three members of her family. Ivy adds that Construction Cares is unique to other support organizations because they are focused on the mental and emotional well-being of this segment of the construction community, something she believes is often overlooked. “People don’t always value mental health. We want to be there to provide mental and emotional support to a group of people who are dealing with a lot of stuff at once,” she said.

www.constructioncare.org

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Online Event Gives Participants Tools to Repair Their Records

Being convicted of a felony often means losing more than freedom. The loss of voting rights, parental rights, and discrimination by potential employers can have implications long after a person serves their time.

This October, Construction Cares partnered with Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. and State Representative Omar Williams to present Know Your Rights. The online event hosted by Cabrini Green Legal Aid was the first in a three-part series designed to help attendees understand the steps they can take to restore some of the rights they lost due to their conviction. The first session covered restoring voting rights, renewing driver’s licenses after revocation or suspension, and expungement of prior convictions.

“WE WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS,” IVY SAID. “HAVING A CONVICTION ON YOUR RECORD DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN YOUR LIFE IS OVER.”

Construction Cares Executive Director Rachel Ivy said this information is desperately needed by many in the construction industry who are ready and willing to work but are denied employment because of their backgrounds. “Many of the individuals we serve are ex-offenders, so we wanted to equip them with the information they need to get a fresh start.” She hopes the series will be a positive step on the road to gainful employment for many underserved members of the construction community.

MARLON F. Carpenter | Local 58

FACE OF B/ACE

In each issue of B/ACE Magazine, we shine a spotlight on rising stars in the construction industry. Our Faces of B/ACE share their stories of overcoming the odds and trade in their hard hats and tool belts for a more laid-back look.

We wanted to do something special for the last issue of 2020, so we transformed our Faces of B/ACE into characters from some of our favorite iconic Black films. Our Faces got the Hollywood treatment with photoshoots inspired by Cooley High, the classic 1970s film about a group of high school seniors in Chicago, and Malcolm X, the critically-acclaimed biopic based on the life of the outspoken activist. Enjoy!

BUILDING A BRIGHT FUTURE

Marlon Finley has always enjoyed helping young people. His passion for youth development led him to a job with the Boys & Girls Clubs, where he stayed for 18 years. But after a change in leadership forced him out of his position, Finley wondered what was next. His cousin, an electrician, suggested he consider the carpenter’s apprenticeship. But at age 36, with no prior experience, Finley wondered if he would be able to make it in a new industry.

Original Photo - Malcolm X

In the beginning, Finley admits he struggled to keep up with his classmates, most of whom were at least 10 years younger. “I was older than the teacher!” he laughs. Finley says he asked a lot of questions and often annoyed the rest of the group. But his curiosity paid off when he was invited to travel to Las Vegas with a group of outstanding apprentices during his third year. “It felt great to go from the bottom of the class to a resource for some of the guys. They were actually coming to ask me about getting jobs,” he said. Finley believes one of the benefits of becoming a carpenter later in life is that he’s more mature, which comes in handy in an industry where screaming is often the norm. “If I had gotten into [the trades] when I was younger, my attitude wouldn’t be the same,” he says. He adds that his experience with the Boys & Girls Clubs helped prepare him for some of the politics that can exist on a construction worksite because both jobs require you to maintain relationships to be successful.

Finley says he’s been blessed to have had mentors throughout his life. But he says his mother, who raised nine children on her own, has always been his biggest inspiration. Finley says his mother always made sure he and his siblings never had to worry about where they would sleep or what they would eat. And the fact that all nine of them are alive and working today is a huge testament to her strength. It’s also a reminder to Finley, who is a father of three, that he has a lot to be thankful for. “After watching what she went through, I have no reason to complain,” he says.

Original Photo - Cooley High

When asked about the future, Finley says he’d like to become a journeyman. He also hopes to eventually be able to combine his trade with his passion for youth development to create an organization that introduces young people to carpentry. Finley says he wants to promote the trades as an alternative to those who may not see college in their future. “Those are the kids I want to help. I want to let them know there’s always something to do,” he says.

When he’s not working, Finley enjoys spending time with his children as well as many of the kids he worked with at the Boys & Girls Club. “When I left, I promised I would never leave them, no matter what,” he says. But when he wants to get away from it all, he heads to the section of his house where he’s set up his own music studio. “I used to rap,” he says. But the self-described music lover says he’s not crazy about any of the music on the radio these days. “I listen to today’s music to see where the kids are, but I’m like, ‘Y’all messed music up,’” he laughs.

“THERE ARE SO MANY CARPENTERS I KNOW WHO HAVE LOST THEIR HOUSES.”

Finley’s advice to anyone interested in carpentry is to save money to prepare for times when you may be out of work. “There are so many carpenters I know who have lost their houses,” he says. “People will tell you that you’ll make $60 an hour, but won’t tell you that you have to get out there and look for that job yourself.”

And when you are working, Finley says it’s important to work hard and be safe on the job site. “Carpentry is not like a regular job. You have to find your way quickly, and you have to have thick skin because there’s always going to be screaming and yelling. You just have to bust your butt because if not, you can end up out of a job,” he says.

Face of B/ACE

Union Carpenter Local 141 Tremain Leggans

We produced the summer issue of B/ACE during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Our restrictions forced us to improvise, and as a result, our Summer Face of B/ACE did not have a photoshoot with his story. Because we couldn’t end the year without giving Tremain Leggans his chance to shine, we are proud to share his photos in our Winter 2020 issue.

TREMAIN LEGGANS MARSHALL

LIVE HARD FIGHT HARDER

Tremain’s shoot was inspired by Marshall, a film about the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall. We couldn’t think of a better way to feature Tremain and pay tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who brilliantly portrayed Justice Marshall in the film.

New Year, New You

There’s nothing like starting the new year with a new look. And changing your hair color is one of the easiest ways to give yourself a gorgeous style reboot. We asked stylist Oluchi Zelda of Prana for Hair Salon in Chicago to share her tips on how to walk into 2021 with hair color that is sure to turn heads. According to Zelda, you never need a reason to change your hair color, but events like a graduation, a 30th birthday, or a breakup are always great excuses to update your do.

When it comes to color, don’t be afraid to go bold. And according to Zelda, brighter is better. “If you’ve been thinking about getting that silver or green, now is the time,” she says. You can’t go wrong with pops of pink, like a soft, feminine rose quartz or a dusty mauve. Or play with a variety of vivids to create an eye-popping holographic look. But if you’re strictly going for gray coverage, Zelda recommends trying deeper colors like chocolate, cinnamon, or eggplant. She says the only rule is that there are no rules. So don’t let things like your age or complexion limit the colors you’re willing to try. “I have a client who’s 67-years-old and has sky blue hair. Anything you can rock with confidence looks good on you.”

Before you commit to your color, Zelda stresses the importance of a consultation appointment with your stylist. Use this time to ask questions and check out pictures to find hair colors that inspire you. If you don’t want to have to return to the salon too often, choose colors that blend well with your natural hair as it grows out, which should give you 3 to 6 months between touch-ups. Those with more vivid color may find themselves coming back every 4 to 6 weeks. “It all depends on how much grow-out you can stand,” she says.

Oluchi Zelda

Follow Oluchi on Instagram - @oluchizelda and @pranaforhair

Between color treatments, Zelda advises her clients to maintain the health of their hair at home. She recommends regular deep conditioning treatments with a protein component and adds that oils should be used sparingly on the scalp only. Heat styling should be kept to a minimum on color-treated hair. But Zelda says a general rule of thumb is that darker hair handles heat better. Highlight blondes should do their best to avoid direct heat altogether and opt for a roller set instead. “I don’t allow my clients to go past 275 [degrees] on the flat iron,” Zelda says.

Color treatments can be pricey, but Zelda says she discourages her clients from attempting a DIY dye job. “I always tell people that for chemical, cut, or color, you should rely on a professional.” Zelda stresses that box hair colors aren’t traditionally formulated for natural or highly textured hair. Instead, she recommends letting a professional mix a color that is right for your hair type. She warns that using box color products at home can potentially leave your hair damaged beyond repair.

Budget-conscious beauties can follow their favorite hairstylists on Instagram or YouTube to get expert color tips. She adds that some stylists will allow you to schedule Zoom appointments. For less than the cost of an in-person visit, the stylist will walk you through mixing and applying your color virtually. “Stylists are finding creative ways to work with clients, so there is no excuse to have bad hair,” Zelda says.