For Byron Sutton, a career in the trades was a stable alternative to life on the streets of the West Side of Chicago. “I was hanging in the streets, doing illegal activity, and I was sent away for 10 years,” he says. 

After his release, Sutton knew he would need to change his life for the better. He was drawn to the trades by friends who told him about the promise of good pay and benefits. Sutton began volunteering through his alderman’s office in hopes of finding a more permanent position. But although those jobs often got him working on a construction site, he didn’t have the same security that comes with a union job. But in 2017, all of that changed when Sutton became a Union Laborer.

Sutton says he enjoys his work, but that it comes with challenges. Racism is a reality for Black people in the trades. And in a business that’s all about who you know, Sutton says it can be tough for a person of color to get their foot in the door. “It’s all political,” he says. Even if you are considered for an interview, some hiring managers will deliberately try to discourage Black applicants. “I had a hiring manager tell me that [the job] was a lot of work and that I needed more experience. But what’s so hard about pushing a broom?” he asks. Sutton credits CEC with helping him prepare for the application and interview process that ultimately helped him land a union job. 

For young people looking to get into the trades, Sutton advises them to start early and learn as much as possible. “Get your certificates, and stay focused on the job,” he says. “It will pay off, and you’ll make good money.” He adds that a good attitude and work ethic are mandatory if you want to be successful. 

“I just took the same rules from the streets over to my work,” he says. 

Sutton believes that systemic racism is one of the biggest obstacles standing in the way of Blacks breaking into the trades. But he adds that some young people can stand in the way of their own success by not being ready to work or able to pass a drug test. 

When asked what he thinks can be done to change the construction industry’s hiring narrative, Sutton suggests that companies do a better job of recruiting young people.“They should be coming to the schools to tell kids about the jobs that are out there and the benefits,” he says. He also believes aldermen should work together across wards to create job opportunities for all city residents. 

Overall, Sutton says he has a lot to be thankful for, including surviving COVID-19. “I was down 21 days,” he says. He adds that he was fortunate his symptoms were not severe, and that he used the downtime to take care of things around his house and spend time with his grandchildren.

At 57-years-old, the father of 12 is planning for the next phase of his life. He says he’d like to own a few buildings or open a janitorial business. “I just bought a building about a year ago, and I’m interested in buying another one,” he says. Sutton says he’d like to have his business up and running by the time he’s ready to retire. “I want to be able to provide jobs for my family and friends.”