Faces of B/ACE

Cordell R. – Holiday 2023

In our exclusive interview, meet Cordell, a dedicated laborer from the vibrant west side of Chicago, who shares his inspiring journey in the construction industry.   Cordell not only provides valuable safety…

Beating the odds: Levonte Solid! 

A s he goes into his third year as a carpentry apprentice, Lavonte Solid reflects on how he has beaten the odds. Making the transition from the streets of Chicago’s west side…

Finding Purpose: Devon Redmond

When Devon Redmond graduated from Dunbar Vocational High School, he had no idea what the next stop on his career path would be. He’d held jobs before but didn’t consider any of…

Fired Up: Rachel Ivy

Nothing gets me more fired up to write than reading a quote that sets my soul on fire! I think I have a touch of attention deficit disorder. One doctor suggested I…

SEAN W. – Fall 2021

Sean 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…

BRIAN Y. – Summer 2021

For Brian Young, education is everything. He is a firm believer in learning as much as he can about many different subjects, a quality that has helped him both in work and…

Keith A. – Spring 2021

Keith Augustine always knew he wanted to get into construction. His father was a bricklayer, and Augustine was eager to follow in his footsteps. But deep down, he had doubts that he…

Marlon F. – Winter 2020

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…

Byron S. – Fall 2020

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,…

Wendy B. – Fall 2020

Terrazzo Finisher Wendy Bautista has been training for a career in the trades her entire life, even though she didn’t always know it. The Brighton Park native spent much of her childhood…