CONCRETE LABORER
and
SeanW.
WOMEN
WHISKEY
FLOORING FOR LIFE 1 | B/ACEMAGAZINE.COM
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Two Sisters Catering is now a catering and restaurant company that will function as a fast casual carry out from the daily menu and still work with groups for event catering.
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CONTENTS
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Face of B/ACE
The Way I See It: Raising Daughters, Loving Sons
And for many in the construction industry, we are reminded of the famous motto from the television series, Game of Thrones, “Winter is Coming...”
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Editorial Note
TRADE TALK: FLOORING FOR LIFE 10 MOVIE NIGHT 16 WOMEN AND WHISKEY 24 4 | B/ACEMAGAZINE.COM
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Fall Fashion Date Night
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Completed Project
IT’S A THIN LINE 30 DATE NIGHT 32 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT 34
Subcontractor You Should Know
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EDITORIAL NOTE We at B/ACE want to encourage you not to move forward but to FALL FORWARD!
RACHEL IVY Editor-In-Cheif
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A
s we head into fall, our sense of normal is being threatened once again. The delta variant is surging, chaos is erupting globally, and our city is being ravaged by gun violence. It’s so easy to become overwhelmed and anxious by the headlines. And for many in the construction industry, we know that winter is coming. Despite all of this, we at B/ACE want to encourage you not to move forward but to FALL FORWARD! The joy behind uncertainty is possibility. It takes courage to move forward and follow the unknown. It takes courage to let go of comfort and embrace potential opportunities. It takes courage to listen to that inner voice that keeps prodding you to follow your dreams. It takes courage to get that nose piercing when you work in corporate America. Sometimes we have to fall in the direction of our inner voice and trust that the universe will catch us. If we
get a few bumps and bruises along the way, we have to remember that it’s all part of the journey. It is better to live with a few bumps than to live a lifetime of regret for never trying. We had to convince this issue’s Face of B/ACE to move outside of his comfort zone. But as you will see, he fell in love with the camera. We also included a story on moving forward when you feel blackballed in the construction industry. And ladies, if you’ve been looking for an alternative to your favorite cocktail, you won’t want to miss our article on Women Who Whiskey. In closing, I would like to leave you with this quote from Iyanla Vanzant, “But a vision that grows inside of you, a vision that wakes with you, a vision that you can tap into on your worst days, that vision will pull you FORWARD.” And I say, just go with it.
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Knowing what you need to do to improve your life takes wisdom. Pushing yourself to do it takes courage.
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Mel Robbins
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FASHION
FALL
The temperatures may be cooling down, but this fall’s fashion trends are HOT! And there’s no better time to try a trendy look than when you’re going on a date. Whether you’re meeting for the first time or stepping out with your love for a well-deserved date night, we’ve got the looks to help you look your best.
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DINNER DATE Cream-colored sweater dresses are my favorites for fall. I think because they go so well with the pearl-loving girl in me!
Rock a cute stretchy stiletto to coordinate with the gathered feel of the dress.
MEN’S LOOK Patterned pants combined with an off-white sweater and jacket is ideal for a fall casual date. Add a subtle pop of color with merlot booties.
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TRADE TALK:
LONNIE MACK
FLOORING FOR LIFE Growing up in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing projects, Lonnie Mack wasn’t thinking about a career in flooring. He was approached by someone looking for people in his neighborhood who wanted to work. “When I got in, I didn’t know anything. I hadn’t used a tape measure in a long time, but I knew my measurements,” he said. But an experienced coworker took an interest in Mack and taught him everything he needed to know.
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Seeing how quickly he caught on, Mack’s boss immediately offered to sponsor him into an apprenticeship. “That was my first day,” he said. From that moment, he developed a passion for flooring that still exists today. We caught up with the North Side native and father of three to learn more about him and the trade he loves.
What skills do you need to get into flooring? You need to know how to read a tape measure, and the blueprint will speak for itself. Our blueprint is different from other trades. Everything is already marked down. It’s pretty simple. And if you don’t know something, people in the field will always help you out. When people say they can’t get into the trades, I tell them to find a company and fill out an application. Be truthful. Tell them you don’t know anything, and you want to be a helper. Call a school and tell them you want to join the union. Once you pass the math test, your foot is in the door, and you can move on to the next phase. Is it hard to find work in your industry? You have to find your own jobs. The union doesn’t do it for you. If your company doesn’t have work, you have to call around or find a side job. Can you work without joining the union? You can, but non-union workers don’t earn the same kind of money. Union workers can get close to $50 an hour. Do people of color face any specific challenges in your industry? African-Americans tend to get played. We don’t always get to work a full year. But someone [who is white] will work year-round. I worked with a guy who only worked three months last year. It shouldn’t be that way. What do you like most about your job? I love the environment and the people I work with. When you know what you’re doing, the job is fun. And that helps the day go by pretty quickly.
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The Way I See It: At B/ACE, our writers have opinions about EVERYTHING. Our new column, The Way I See It, gives them a chance to share those opinions with our readers.
RAISING DAUGHTERS, LOVING SONS
T
here is a saying in the African-American community that mothers raise their daughters and love their sons. It’s based on the idea that we are strict with our daughters and more nurturing with our sons. When confronted about these contrasting parenting techniques, we
often double down and defend our actions. We argue that we want our daughters to grow up to be strong Black women and our sons to receive the love and support that the rest of the world denies them.
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Growing up as the oldest and only girl of three, I saw first-hand examples of this gender disparity in my own home. The rules I lived by were vastly different from those of my two younger brothers. While I was doing laundry, dusting furniture, and helping with dinner, their chores consisted of cutting the grass every few weeks and waiting for a snowstorm to shovel our walkway. My parents expected me to get good grades and forced me to race home to make my 9:00 pm curfew, and told my brothers to try not to get arrested or get anyone pregnant while they stayed out until they felt like coming back. Back then, I didn’t know if my parents’ decisions were deliberate, but I knew something wasn’t right. And I vowed to do things differently if I ever had children of my own. Today, as a mother of a boy and a girl, I have an opportunity for a do-over. My husband and I have made a conscious choice to ensure that the rules are consistent in our household and that there is no such thing as a boy or girl chore. In a 2010 op-ed in Essence magazine, Sonja Norwood, mom of celebrity siblings Brandy and Ray J, rejects gender disparity in raising Black children. “I believe that
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today’s mothers should reassess how society has forced us to act and treat our children based on gender. The love we have for our children should unite rather than divide, and our parenting techniques must be based on each individual child’s personality, not their gender,” she writes.
Loving our daughters will arm them with the selfesteem they need in their personal and professional lives. 14 | B/ACEMAGAZINE.COM
Black mothers face a unique set of challenges, trying to protect their children from the violence and discrimination that awaits them in the real world. But we can’t deny our responsibility to ensure our kids have the tools they need to succeed. Our boys and girls need to know that we are both their fiercest allies and their toughest critics. They should expect that we will open our arms to embrace them and point our fingers at them when they are wrong. Because if our children don’t receive guidance from our loving homes, they will get it from the unforgiving streets.
Loving our daughters will arm them with the selfesteem they need in their personal and professional lives. And raising our sons will make them responsible contributors to their communities. There will be plenty of times when I’ll have to dole out tough punishments to both of my children. But no matter what happens during the day, “I love you,” is the last thing they’ll hear from me every night.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not reflect those of B/ACE Magazine.
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RACERBACK MIDI DRESS
BELTED LEATHER MOTO COAT
FALL
Create a sexy look without a lot of effort with this body-con midi dress. Add a green moto jacket for a pop of color and finish with a simple black sneaker.
FASHION
MOVIE NIGHT
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Authentic SUPIMA T-Shirt Hoodie
You’ll have no problem sitting through a movie in this comfortable stretch cargo jogger and hoodie combo. Finish off with a casual blazer and stylish sneakers.
SLIM SOLID BLACK TECH BLAZER
MEN’S LOOK
AIR JORDAN 1 MID SE
Performance Stretch Cargo Jogger 17 | B/ACEMAGAZINE.COM
FACE OF B/ACE
S
ean Wynn is a concrete laborer. But on the job site, he says he’ll do whatever he is asked to do. “Today, I’m flagging,” he laughed. The South Side native was first introduced to the trades by his cousin. Although he didn’t know much about the career path at the time, Wynn says seeing his cousin earn $1700 for six days of work immediately piqued his interest. “I told him, if you’re bringing that kind of money home, I want in!” he said.
At the time, becoming a laborer was Wynn’s quickest path into the trades without an apprenticeship. So, to get his foot in the door, he paid to attend training classes through an organization that helped people find work in construction. Wynn went on to spend 16 years at McHugh Construction, where he says he gained valuable experience that has opened doors for him. “Now, no matter where I go, they know I’m going to work,” he said. Wynn is currently working for Walsh on a project to modernize the CTA’s Red Line.
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Like many people of color, Wynn says being Black is one of the biggest challenges he faces in an industry where who you know is just as important as what you know. “They have to see you work before they warm up to you,” he said.
“No woman wants a man who can’t even change a light bulb.”
As a result, Wynn says he does his best to help other Black tradespeople when he can. “You have to put out good energy. You may not always get the love back in return, but you have to make sure you’re doing your part as a good citizen,” he said. 19 | B/ACEMAGAZINE.COM
Sean
Wynn
CONCRETE LABORER
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When he’s not working, Wynn enjoys hanging out with a cigar in his backyard. But now that he’s fully vaccinated, he says he’s looking forward to the opportunity to travel. “I want to go to Rome for my birthday. When you get older, you want to see some corners you’ve never seen before,” he said. Wynn says one of the benefits of working in the trades has been learning valuable skills that have helped him fix things around his own home. “No woman wants a man who can’t even change a light bulb,” he said. Looking ahead, Wynn says he’s focused on retirement. “I’m almost 48, so I’ve got seven years,” he said. “Depending on how my body feels at 55 will determine what happens.”
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COMPLETED PROJECT The 808 N. Wells project is a seventeenstory mixed-use high rise comprised of 318 rental units. Located in the River North District of Chicago, the property will house studio, one, and two-bedroom listings along with multi-floor amenity spaces, parking, three elevators, a lobby, and commercial space. The post-tension slab structure is encased by a combination of brick rain screen, metal panel, storefront, and full height aluminum framed windows.
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808 N. Wells
These community residents popped out for a little camera fun to pop their collars on one of their projects!
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AND
WOMEN
WHISKEY
Once seen as a drink only for men, women are getting into whiskey in a big way these days. According to Forbes, women currently account for 37 percent of whiskey drinkers, up from 15 percent in the 1990s.
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Not only are more women drinking whiskey, but more women are making it too. Koval is a Chicago-based brand started by Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart and her husband. Uncle Nearest is led by an all-female team, including the first Black woman to head up a major spirits brand, Fawn Weaver. As more women try whiskey, one woman wants to make sure they have a safe space to sip. Julia Ritz Toffoli started Women Who Whiskey in 2011 to allow women to enjoy and learn about whiskey in a gender-inclusive environment. “We need to be able to feel comfortable drinking whiskey in our own city. So why don’t we get together and do that?” she said in an interview. Today, they have grown to over 16,000 members, with 24 chapters in 5 countries. To learn more or find a chapter near you, visit www. womenwhowhiskey.club.
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Whiskey comes in several varieties which can be intimidating for a beginner. If you want to try, but don’t know where to start, here’s some Whiskey 101 to help you decide which is right for you:
Canadian Whisky is lighter and smoother than other varieties, making it a great place for beginners to start. Popular brands include: Crown Royal, Canadian Mist As the name implies, Scotch is a whiskey made in Scotland. It is made with water, malted barley, yeast, and caramel and aged in oak barrels. Although it comes in a variety of flavors, most have a smoky, malty taste. Popular brands include: Johnnie Walker, Macallan
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The Japanese drop the “e” in whiskey like the Canadians, but they learned their craft from Scottish distillers, which explains why it has a similar smoky taste as Scotch. Popular brands include: Suntory Bourbon is made with at least 51 percent corn. The rest is a combination of malted barley and either rye or wheat. Bourbon also comes in a variety of flavors, but it tends to have a sweet and smoky taste. Popular brands include: Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam Tennessee whiskey is similar to bourbon, except it is made in Tennessee and goes through an extra charcoal filtering process that removes impurities. Tennessee whiskey is often described as lighter than bourbon with a slightly sweeter taste. Popular brands include: Jack Daniels
Good whiskey can be enjoyed neat (without water or ice) or with a few ice cubes. But if you’re looking for something with a little more flavor, check out these recipes for deliciously simple whiskey cocktails:
Ginger Highball 2 ounces of any type of whiskey 2-3 ounces ginger ale 3 lemon slices Add lemon slices and ice to the bottom of the glass. Top with whiskey and ginger ale. Mint Julep 5 mint sprigs ½ ounce simple syrup 2½ ounces bourbon Muddle mint with syrup at the bottom of the glass. Fill the glass with ice, add bourbon, and stir.
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SUBCONTRACTOR YOU SHOULD KNOW: TRACEY BEY
C
hicago native Tracey Bey loves making homes look beautiful. “I love seeing things come to finish and what makes them look pretty,” she says. Her company, T2 Finishes, puts the finishing details on real estate renovation and development projects, installing cabinets, flooring, baseboards, and more. “Anything that comes through once you get the walls up and have them drywalled,” she says. We spoke with Bey about how she has been able to find success doing what she loves in an industry that is not always welcoming to Black women. Bey found herself in the banking industry after college. She was part of a team that established Bank of America branches in Chicago-area Jewel stores. But it was her work in participation syndication loans that first got her interested
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in real estate. “I saw people who were rehabbing houses and started rehabbing myself,” Bey says. Twenty years later, she’s still at it. Like most of the construction industry, people of color are hard to find in finishing. “There are no Black people and no Black companies. Our biggest competitor is an Asian company,” Bey says. But she’s not waiting for an invitation to fill a minority hiring quota. Instead, she’s carving out her own lane and letting her work speak for itself. “As a Black woman, I check a couple of those boxes. But I’m not allowing them to use me for their numbers,” she says.
That determination has helped Bey forge relationships with general contractors and learn about potential bidding opportunities. “I don’t want you just to add me to the list because I’m a Black company,” she says. Although T2 Finishes works with residential customers, Bey has also set her sights on landing commercial and mixed-use property projects around the city. She recently won a bid to supply cabinets for a CHA project at 508 Pershing. When it comes to work-life balance, Bey says work often wins out. In addition to T2 Finishes, she and her fiancé manage several companies, which demand a lot of their time. But as someone who likes being busy, Bey says she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’m trying to learn not to take work home so much. We just make sure we take time out for each other, like going out to dinner and having date nights,” she says. Bey advises other women of color who are interested in finishing to be strong and look for ways to make themselves stand out. And in an industry that is all about who you know, Bey says having a mentor can make all of the difference. “Go to every networking event and meet everybody you can,” she says. “Solid connections can help you stay on top of bid opportunities.” She also tries to help open doors for others when she can. “I know how to fight, and I like to fight. All you can say is no. But I’m going to ask you to explain why you’re saying no,” she says. Bey says she’s thankful that her business allows her to do what she loves, employ other people, and help rebuild communities on the South and West sides of the city. “Driving past the buildings we are working on, knowing our cabinets and floors are going in, gives me pride,” she says. 29 | B/ACEMAGAZINE.COM
IT’S A THIN LINE:
A TALE OF THE COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BLACKS AND THE TRADE UNIONS Trade unions are meant to provide support to their members, protecting the integrity of the trade and advocating for the best wages, benefits, and safety standards. But many African-American tradespeople have a complicated love-hate relationship with the unions that are supposed to be protecting their interests. Sprinkler fitter Michael Sullivan was the first Black elected officer of his local union. But he has felt the sting of discrimination from the union and the industry throughout his career. This is his story in his own words.
M
y journey began in 1983 as a young man trying to become a sprinkler fitter. After taking the exam, I learned that although I ranked in the upper 10% of the 1200 applicants, my test scores had been lost. I retook the test four years later and found out that they were terminating the list and that I would have to get in line again. By this point, I was fed up and reached out to
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Affirmative Action and The Urban League. Affirmative Action contacted the Sprinkler Fitters Union on my behalf and threatened to sue if I wasn’t admitted. I was eventually accepted into the Apprenticeship Program and started in June 1990. I later learned about another Mike Sullivan (a white man) who I suspect was given my spot. According to others, he wasn’t too bright.
During my years as an apprentice, I endured racism and discrimination. I heard the N-word. I was scrutinized and labeled as a drug dealer because I drove a Mercedes Benz. They didn’t know that my wife was the youngest Black Senior Vice President at Citibank at the time. One company owner even told me that I would have to work twice as hard. African-Americans were extremely rare in the trade. After President Obama’s election in 2008, there were 70 Blacks out of a union membership of more than 1500. During Obama’s second term, Black membership dwindled to about 14. At the same time, I became the first Black Union Officer in the 130year history of the Local. However, I think some members only voted for me because of my Irish name and because they thought I was the other Mike Sullivan. But that proud moment didn’t last. I was out of work and I couldn’t bring in new Black applicants. In 2012, only two Black sprinkler fitters were working. Some of us decided to research Federal Government and Labor Board rules, find non-compliant companies, and file complaints and lawsuits. The government agencies gave us the runaround, but we didn’t get discouraged. Some eventually took back door deals, but the rest of us continued pursuing our cause. For the next eight years or so, only five Black sprinkler fitters worked consistently. I decided not to seek reelection as a Union Officer. Instead, I stepped out on faith and started my own company. After
two failed attempts, I partnered with another sprinkler fitter to start World Class Fire Protection, the only Black-owned union company in Illinois. We are certified MBE, DBE, ACDBE, and Section 3. We were also BEP and SDVOSB, but my partner got frustrated and quit due to the lack of work. You would think all of our certifications would mean we’d have contracts pouring out of our pockets. But it was just the opposite. Agencies, contractors, suppliers, and banks seemed to have it in for us as Black people trying to start a company in this town. I stood steadfast, despite several entities trying to destroy my company. Although I am the only Section 3 Fire Protection Company, I haven’t had access to jobs in a couple of years, even though the CHA is regularly putting up buildings. Thankfully, I have been getting some work from Chicago Public Schools, although I was never accepted as a vendor. I completed a federal project, Pullman National Monument, and I’m presently working on a HUD 13-story Senior building under Related Midwest. I participated in a mentor-protégé program with Clayco, and I’ve completed three projects for them. Despite my trials and tribulations, we are still grinding and growing. I’ve worked for some of the largest general contractors in Chicago, and others have reached out to me. Although the future looks bright for World Class Fire Protection, our struggle continues. One material supplier has consistently treated us differently than others. Some
contractors don’t pay us on time, putting me in jeopardy for paying union dues and forcing me into settlements. But after seven years in business, my employees continuously thank me for allowing them to get back to work and make a good living. I brought on my Superintendent, who was depressed after being out of work. He thanks me every chance he gets. I’m no savior. I just love my people. I live by the words, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.” Never let anyone discourage you or try and block your blessings. I’m still learning, but it’s my dream, and I would like to help as many people as possible live the same comfortable life as most of my Caucasian brothers and sisters in construction. 31 | B/ACEMAGAZINE.COM
FALL
Be cute and comfortable. That goes for him too! You can dress both outfits up or down with a simple change of footwear!
FASHION
DATE NIGHT
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MEETING THE PARENTS You’ve been dating for a while, and now she wants you to meet her parents. You may be wondering what to wear, so they see you as a potential for their daughter. Wear something that will show you are responsible but also comfortable while you’re sitting around getting to know them.
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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Providing Help and Hope for Area Entrepreneurs
A
llies for Community Business has made it their mission to cultivate small businesses that thrive in their communities. The organization formerly known as Accion Chicago, provides capital, coaching services, and other critical support to area entrepreneurs. In 2020 alone, they disbursed close to $400 million in grants and coached nearly 20,000 clients.
DLV Printing Vernita Johnson We spoke with Rowan Richards, Director of Community Business, about his work and what he thinks every aspiring entrepreneur needs to know.
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People often have ideas for businesses but don’t know where to start. Do you help people who don’t have a fully developed business plan in place? I joined the team in 2017 to build a coaching program to accompany our existing lending program. The program assesses what stage the business is in and determines the best path to help them grow. We have specific milestones and activities built into each stage, so we’re walking with the business owner from idea to execution.
businesses on negotiating with their landlords. As things settled down, we shifted to helping current business owners assess their businesses and what they needed to offer their customers. There were also those looking to start a business for the first time after being laid off or deciding whether they wanted to go back into the workforce after working from home.
Learn more about Allies for Community Business at a4cb.org.
We look to address the needs of business owners holistically, and we continue to seek different ways to support businesses at every stage Have more businesses needed your services since the pandemic? Yes, in different ways. There was panic during the first six months. So, we essentially set up small business triage centers to address the immediate needs brought on by the pandemic. In addition to lending and coaching, we offered webinars, grant programs, and coached
Farmers Market
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Do you think it’s a good time to start a new business when things are so uncertain? I think it’s a fantastic time, assuming you have the right idea. Historically, some of the greatest inventions have come through the most challenging periods in history.
It’s an opportunity to get creative during chaos. And if you’re able to align your skills and resources with those opportunities, you can be successful. On the other hand, some businesses are offline that may never come back. So, if you’re behind the curve, some risk comes into play. Certifications are important for women and minority-owned businesses, but the process can be overwhelming. What’s your advice for people trying to navigate the process? If you’re in construction, having your certifications is a plus. Developers have to work with subcontractors who are at least 50 percent
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minority or women-led. That gives many small business owners access to contracts they may not otherwise have. Think about who you want to work with, then determine what certifications they require and what puts you in the best position to receive a contract. There’s no need to go after certifications that won’t lead to anything. We generally work with clients around the WMBE certifications offered through the city of Chicago. It might not be the only one you need, but it can help you capture opportunities with city agencies like CPS. If you want to work with the federal government, you
should find out what they require. That way, you feel like you’re spending your time well. There’s a lot of paperwork. It’s not difficult, just timeconsuming. And once you start, you have a 3-month window to complete it before the city deletes your application. Once a business is up and running, what kinds of support do you provide to help businesses with marketing? We provide support around strategy and best practices to help businesses get started. We also help our clients by promoting their events through our platforms.
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It is not too late. Your are not too old. You are right on time-and you are better than you know.
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Marianne Williamson
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ON SALE NOW
You c our e an supp vulne fforts to ort help of therable mem commconstruc bers unity. tion
DONATE
TODAY! Visit www.constructioncare.org to donate! Construction Cares provides underserved members of the construction industry with the training, financial, and emotional support they need to remain actively employed in the industry.
www.communities4construction.com
Phone: 312-989-3903 Fax: 312-989-3910 Address: 2532 W. Warren Blvd Chicago, IL 60612
The CEC is committed to the community. We believe that every community has qualified candidates who would love to be a part of the ongoing developments around them. We are constantly looking for potential candidates who are currently working in construction or have a desire to be in the industry. If you are looking to join our network, please complete our Online Application at www.communities4construction.com 40 | B/ACEMAGAZINE.COM
