Greetings Craig,

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We all recognize the importance of the Obama Presidential Center as legacy to the historic presidency of President Barack Obama. Additionally, we recognize the importance of the Obama Presidential Center to the economy of the Southside of Chicago and the project itself as a uniquely significant source of business opportunities for Black-owned contractors and other Black-owned businesses.

Towards better understanding the opportunities the project presented (and many in the community rightfully expected) in December 2021, Michael Strautmanis, Executive VP Civic Engagement and Tammi Davis, Manager of Business and Workforce Diversity, along with supportive representation from the Lakeside Alliance and Chicago Women In Trades, joined us at a COAL Power Breakfast, titled "Business and Employment Opportunities with the Obama Presidential Center" to detail plans and activities toward providing business opportunities for Black-owned businesses.

Since then, major progress is being made in building out the Obama Presidential Center, and as the team committed back in 2021, they've returned to share how successful the project has been in engaging Black contractors and other businesses, as well as share future opportunities the community should be prepared to take advantage of.

COAL is honored to host Joshua Harris - Vice President, Public Engagement, Obama Foundation, Kendall Williamson - Director of Community and Industry Engagement, AECOM Hunt/ Elevate Design Build Group, Junisa Brima - Vice President and Construction Executive, Turner Construction Company/ Lakeside Alliance, and Ernest R. Sawyer - President, Ernest R. Sawyer Enterprises Inc., for an important discussion on the Obama Presidential Center Project and engaging our Black Business Sector.

Please join us for this late-August virtual Power Breakfast on Saturday, August 31, 2024 for this conversation on an historic initiative of significant impact for the Southside of Chicago and the Black community.

Respectfully,

COAL Board of Directors

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"The time to work seriously and collectively, to improve the state of our Community, is upon us..."

Let Us be intentional in all aspects of the Work that must be done.

About COAL

COAL is an umbrella organization founded by 13 of Chicago's historic African American mens clubs. COAL's overarching mission is to identify, examine, illuminate and find resolution to issues impacting the greater community. We strive to use our collective experience, expertise and resources to improve the quality of opportunity, quality of preparedness and the quality of outcomes (expressed as 'quality of life') for our Community.

What We Believe

The Coalition of African American Leaders believes that it is important to examine the critical issues confronting the African American community where injustice, inequality and the absence of access and opportunity continue to prevail, thereby negatively impacting us as a people.

COAL is an assemblage that advocates and organizes for appropriate and responsible public policy change, system behavior change and equality of opportunity. We aim to achieve for all of our people the fullness of the life experience without any form of racism or exclusion as a deterrent.

We believe we must prepare ourselves for the opportunity of this full participation, thereby achieving the necessary education and training to participate.