В Бирмингеме создан союз чернокожих подрядчиков для поддержки местного бизнеса и создания рабочих мест

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times For more than three decades, Jarrod Sims has watched Birmingham’s skyline evolve. He’s seen neighborhoods revitalized, schools renovated and commercial developments reshape the city. As a licensed general contractor and president of Syms Contractors, a family-owned business founded by his father more than 30 years ago, Sims has spent much of his career helping build those projects. But behind the cranes and construction sites, he says another story has continued to unfold — one centered on who receives opportunities to help build Alabama’s future. That belief is what led Sims and a group of fellow business owners to establish the Black Contractors Association Alabama Chapter, an organization dedicated to advocating for Black contractors, tradespeople and minority-owned businesses while fostering collaboration, professional development and community engagement. “We’re more than an advocacy organization,” Sims said. “We’re about building community. We’re about creating opportunities. We’re about helping businesses scale.” The association, now in its third year, includes approximately 60 to 70 members representing a wide range of professions connected to the construction industry — from licensed contractors and electricians to architects, printers and other professional service providers. For members, the association is about more than networking. It is about creating relationships that translate into contracts, mentorship and long-term business growth while ensuring Black-owned businesses have a seat at the table when public and private development opportunities arise. A Vision Decades in the Making Although the Black Contractors Association Alabama Chapter officially launched in 2023, Sims says its roots stretch much further back. His father founded Syms Contractors in the early 1990s after purchasing a ServiceMaster franchise that specialized in fire and water restoration. As customer demand grew, the company expanded into reconstruction work, eventually becoming a full-service general contracting firm involved in restoration projects, commercial renovations, residential developments and public construction projects throughout Birmingham. Having grown up in the industry, Sims said he witnessed firsthand both the opportunities and the challenges facing Black contractors. In 1994, he and several other contractors attempted to establish what was then known as the Birmingham Association of Black Contractors. “It didn’t survive,” Sims recalled. “The timing wasn’t right. Most of us were still young in the business. We didn’t have the experience, the capacity or the relationships that we have today.” While the organization dissolved after only a few years, Sims said the need for advocacy never disappeared. According to Sims, decades of unequal access to publicly funded construction work convinced him that Black contractors needed a unified voice. He pointed to historical disparities in Birmingham’s contracting industry and referenced past legal battles surrounding minority participation in public projects, saying those events reinforced the importance of organized advocacy. “There has never been an advocacy arm specifically for Black construction professionals in Alabama,” Sims said. “That’s what makes this organization so important.” Sims said today’s association differs from its predecessor because many of its members are now established business owners with decades of experience and the resources to mentor the next generation. “This is about building something that’s going to last,” he said. “We’re trying to make sure the next generation of builders and contractors have opportunities that maybe we didn’t.” More Than Contractors Despite its name, the association’s membership extends well beyond construction companies. Architects, engineers, electricians, printing companies, consultants and other service providers all play roles in bringing construction projects to life, Sims said. “Construction doesn’t happen with just a general contractor,” he said. “There are professional services involved in every project.” That philosophy has allowed businesses from multiple industries to find value in the organization. Among them is Goodman & Goodman Electric. Owner and President Will Goodman joined the association roughly two years ago after meeting Sims while working on a project. “I liked the fact that there was someone advocating for Black contractors,” Goodman said. “I saw that this would be a nexus for us to build and develop, and that it would really benefit future generations.” A Birmingham native who has worked as an electrician for nearly 40 years after beginning his career in the military, Goodman said the organization has provided more than professional relationships. It has opened doors. “Our growth has been about 300 percent since starting with the Black Contractors Association,” Goodman said. “They have some great connections, and just having more access to what’s out there and what’s available has really helped our company.” Today, Goodman serves on the association’s executive committee while continuing to grow his electrical contracting business. He also sees the organization as an opportunity to invest in younger contractors entering the profession. “I just see so much talent out there,” Goodman said. “If we can help some of the emerging contractors not make some of the same mistakes that we made, I think it’ll be extremely beneficial.” For Goodman, advocacy is inseparable from opportunity. Having lived through the Civil Rights era, he said organizations like the Black Contractors Association remain necessary because they provide both representation and mentorship for future generations of business owners. “I’m committed,” he said. “I just want to see where it takes us.” For Sims, stories like Goodman’s reinforce the organization’s broader mission. “It’s not just about buildings,” he said. “It’s about helping businesses grow so they can create jobs, invest back into their communities and leave something for the next generation.” Building Businesses by Building Relationships For many members, the Black Contractors Association Alabama Chapter has become more than a professional organization. It has become a place where relationships lead to opportunity. Goodman credits much of his company’s recent growth to the network he has built through the association. Since joining, his company has collaborated with other members on projects throughout the Birmingham area, creating opportunities not only for his business but also for the employees and subcontractors who work alongside him. “We go out and acquire jobs that create opportunities for young, skilled workers,” Goodman said. “Actually, for all minorities.” The veteran electrician believes collaboration has replaced what can often be an isolated experience for small business owners. Instead of competing against one another, members share information, recommend one another for projects and celebrate each other’s successes. Sims said that type of collaboration is intentional. “Our job is to advocate on behalf of our members,” he said. “If there are issues with representation or inclusion, we’re going to address those issues. We’re going to make sure our businesses have a voice.” He hopes that voice extends beyond securing contracts. “We need more businesses in our community,” Sims said. “Our job is to make sure they can scale and that there aren’t unnecessary obstacles standing in their way.” The organization’s monthly meetings reflect that philosophy. Rather than gathering in traditional conference rooms, members often meet inside businesses owned by fellow members, giving attendees an opportunity to experience firsthand the services those businesses provide. For Belinda Lyons, owner and founder of ProInked Printing Service, those meetings have become one of the organization’s defining strengths. “We’ve had an opportunity to visit and hear from a Black contractor every month,” Lyons said. “Whether that’s someone in the building space or someone who’s a service provider, every meeting showcases excellence.” Lyons joined the organization nearly a year ago after her company provided printing services for the association’s annual Frankie Beverly tribute fundraiser. She said the organization’s mission immediately resonated with her. “They are committed to making sure Black voices are at the table,” Lyons said. “Not just contractors, but all segments of minority-owned businesses and women-owned businesses.” That broader definition of construction surprised even some new members. As the owner of a printing company, Lyons initially wondered how her business fit within a contractors’ association. Sims explained that every construction project depends on dozens of supporting businesses — from architects and engineers to sign companies, printers and marketing professionals. Those businesses, he said, deserve opportunities alongside general contractors and subcontractors. “It has everything to do with construction,” Sims said. “Those services become part of the project.” Circulating Wealth Within the Community When talking with members of the association, one theme surfaced repeatedly. The professionals weren’t simply talking about winning contracts. They were talking about keeping dollars circulating within Black communities. During a monthly meeting at a Black-owned coffee shop in Birmingham, Lyons recalled that nearly 70 business owners introduced themselves before discussing the importance of supporting one another. “Everybody talked about buying Black, spending Black and being responsible,” Lyons said. “But they also talked about providing excellent service. We have to earn people’s business.” For Lyons, supporting Black-owned businesses isn’t about excluding anyone else. It’s about ensuring businesses within underserved communities have the same opportunity to thrive. “We have to be an advocacy group for ourselves,” she said. “Nobody’s coming to save us.” She believes successful Black-owned businesses create a ripple effect that extends far beyond individual owners. “The way money rotates in other communities, we have an opportunity to transfer wealth back to our community,” Lyons said. “I desperately want to be part of that wealth transfer.” Birmingham’s history makes that mission especially meaningful to her. Originally from Walker County, Lyons said the city’s legacy of Black entrepreneurship inspired her own business journey. She points to pioneers like A.G. Gaston, whose businesses helped establish Birmingham’s historic Fourth Avenue Business District, as an example of how entrepreneurship can create lasting opportunities. “When I think about Birmingham, I think about how we had to support our own,” Lyons said. “It’s been a great place for me to launch a business and hopefully leave a legacy for my children.” Beyond the Job Site While advocating for contractors remains central to the association’s mission, members say community service is equally important. Since its formation, the organization has partnered with schools, churches, nonprofits and community organizations throughout the Birmingham area. This spring, members participated in Green Acres Middle School’s “Dads and Donuts” program, where they met with students and parents while discussing mentorship and positive male leadership. The organization also partnered with Smart Choices Youth Empowerment Camp at Mount Hebron Baptist Church, where members spoke to young men about discipline, self-control and leadership. Other initiatives have included participation in career-focused events at area schools, sponsorship of scholarship programs, support for young entrepreneurs and partnerships with organizations promoting civic engagement. “We wanted to make sure we were part of the community,” Sims said. “That’s core to our mission.” Members have also participated in mental health awareness events, entrepreneurship programs and cultural celebrations that extend well beyond construction. Last year, the association hosted a tribute honoring music legend Frankie Beverly, an event Goodman described as “phenomenal.” “It was really well attended,” Goodman said. “They always bring inspiring people together.” This month, members gathered in support of Unbound: Freedom to Read, an event that examined the growing movement to ban books while encouraging literacy, dialogue and historical understanding. For Lyons, whose grandchildren are growing up during a time when some books are becoming less accessible in schools and libraries, supporting the event was an easy decision. “If you don’t know your history, it’ll repeat itself,” she said. “This event is incredibly important because our children deserve access to those stories.” Whether members are mentoring students, sponsoring scholarship programs or supporting literacy initiatives, Sims believes each effort reflects the organization’s larger purpose. “We’re not just building buildings,” he said. “We’re helping build stronger communities.” Preparing the Next Generation As cranes continue to reshape Birmingham’s skyline, Sims believes the next challenge isn’t simply constructing more buildings — it’s ensuring the next generation is prepared to help build them. For him, advocacy begins long before someone earns a contractor’s license. It starts by exposing young people to careers that many may never have considered. “There used to be a time when construction was respected,” Sims said. “We’ve got to make it cool again.” He worries that many young people are unaware of the opportunities available in skilled trades, particularly as Alabama continues to attract new industries and large-scale developments. According to Sims, the state’s growing investment in technology infrastructure, including data centers, could create entirely new opportunities for electricians, HVAC specialists, plumbers, concrete finishers and other skilled trades. “These data centers — that’s where the opportunities are,” Sims said. “The electrical work, the cooling systems, the infrastructure. Those are going to create the next generation of millionaires. I don’t want us to miss those opportunities.” Preparing for those opportunities, he said, requires more than technical skills. It also requires relationships, mentorship and access to information—three things he hopes the association can provide. “We’re trying to build something that’s sustainable,” Sims said. “This isn’t just about us. It’s about the young men and women coming behind us.” That mission extends beyond construction companies. Whether members own architectural firms, electrical businesses, printing companies or consulting agencies, Sims believes every successful Black-owned business strengthens the community’s economic foundation. “We’re celebrating the people who are already doing great work,” he said. “At the same time, we’re helping others grow into that next level.” Looking Beyond the Present Although the organization is still relatively young, members say its vision stretches well beyond monthly meetings or networking events. The goal, they say, is to create an ecosystem where businesses can support one another, share opportunities and advocate collectively for equitable participation in Alabama’s economy. Goodman sees that vision every time members gather. After four decades in the electrical industry, he says he has watched the profession change, but one thing remains constant. “There is so much talent out there,” he said. “If we can help people avoid some of the mistakes we made and help them grow faster, then we’ve accomplished something.” Lyons agrees. She believes collaboration — not competition — will ultimately strengthen Black-owned businesses across industries. “Everybody has something they bring to the table,” she said. “When we intentionally support one another, we all grow.” That spirit of collaboration has become one of the association’s defining characteristics. Instead of limiting its focus to contracts and construction projects, the organization has intentionally woven itself into the fabric of Birmingham through mentorship, education, philanthropy and civic engagement. From sponsoring scholarship funds and youth programs to supporting literacy initiatives and small business owners, members say their work reflects a broader commitment to strengthening the communities where they live and work. For Sims, that commitment is just as important as any building his company has completed. “We’re builders,” he said. “But we’re not just building structures. We’re building businesses. We’re building leaders. We’re building community.” Building a Lasting Legacy Nearly 30 years after an earlier effort to organize Black contractors dissolved, Sims believes today’s organization has something its predecessor lacked: experience, established businesses and a collective understanding that lasting change requires collaboration. Membership continues to grow each month, with contractors, entrepreneurs and professional service providers joining from across the Birmingham area. The association hopes to surpass 100 active members by year’s end, but Sims says success won’t ultimately be measured by membership numbers alone. Instead, he hopes it will be measured by the businesses that expand, the young people who choose careers in the trades, and the communities that benefit from those investments. “We’re creating opportunities,” Sims said. “That’s what this organization is about.” For Goodman, the association has already demonstrated what’s possible when business owners choose collaboration over competition. For Lyons, it represents an opportunity to help ensure Black-owned businesses remain visible, connected and positioned to thrive for generations to come. And for Sims, it is the continuation of a vision that began decades ago — one rooted in advocacy, strengthened by partnership, and focused squarely on the future. As Birmingham continues to grow, members of the Black Contractors Association Alabama Chapter hope they won’t simply witness that growth from the sidelines. They intend to help build it.