A workforce partnership connecting community members to construction careers and jobs building the Obama Presidential Center
About WCBI
Building the Obama Presidential Center isn’t just about bringing a new world-class destination to the South Side—it’s about investing in the surrounding community. The Obama Presidential Center and We Can Build It teamed up to develop a pipeline of construction talent that looks like the community the Obama Presidential Center calls home.
From outreach, to pre apprenticeship training, to test preparation and job placement, the partnership is ready to help Chicagoans establish a successful career in construction.
In the Media
- WGN: President Obama visits Chicago Women in Trades
- Good Morning America: Former President Obama’s presidential center breaks ground
- Obama Foundation: A Day in the Life: Zahrah Hill
- Crain's Chicago Business: Here's how the Obama Presidential Center aims to meet its diversity goals
- Chicago Tribune: Obama Presidential Center officials commit to hiring 35% of construction workforce from South, West sides
- WBEZ: Obama Center Will Be Built By Some Who’ve Long Been Locked Out Of Construction Jobs
- Chicago Defender: Obama Foundation Launches Workforce Initiative to Build the Obama Presidential Center
Obama Foundation - A Day in the Life: Zahra Hill
BUILDING A FAMILY, BUILDING CHICAGO
The Obama Foundation featured article on CWIT graduate and Journeyman Plumber, Zahra Hill, on her generational path into the trades following her mother's footsteps.
Read Article
Thank you to our Tradeswomen and Welders for taking the time to be a part of the Chicago Women in Trades video feature with the Obama Foundation: Ironworker. Jennifer Ortiz - Electrician, Dione Scott - Plumber, Zahrah Hill - Pipefitter, Ebony Simpson - Laborer, Tume Tsotetsi - Ironworker, Paris Finley, Welder - Alyssa Geers, Welder - Briana Gale-Bond, Tuckpointer, Takeesha Walsh and Carpenter, Edith Guerrero.