Photos and article by Courtesy of BCA
The National Black Contractors Association’s Chat n’ Chew builds momentum as a conversation with some of San Diego’s key decision-makers, who many come to tell a good story and leave. No, it’s not that kind of party at the BCA’s Chat n’ Chew, where conversations about billions of dollars of construction projects are taking place and the National BCA is claiming its market share for underrepresented blacks contractors, women and black construction workers, who are mostly excluded on all construction projects in San Diego as a whole.
The most recent visit to the BCA’s Chat n’ Chew was Mr. John M. (Jack) Pellegrino, CPCM Director, and Department of Purchasing & Contracting, for the County of San Diego, along with Andrew Strong Chief of Staff for the San Diego County Chief Administrator and Mr. Omar Passons Director of Integrative Services. They are all decision makers with the power to get real outcomes beyond the rhetoric that is normally heard. Mr. Pellegrino aggressive plan is to achieve real outcomes to include African Americans underrepresented contractors and black workers, which call for a community employment resource center and inclusionary participation, measured by a quarterly report on who, and how many underrepresented contractors got and will get opportunities.
The plan is setting a new paradigm in San Diego’s construction industry marketplace for all qualified willing and able contractors and workers that historically do not get support from owners of construction projects, beyond lip service. “We know that prime contractors come with readymade teams of contractors and workers, and the National Black Contractors history has been one of partnering to achieve successful outcomes and inclusion, like on the San Diego Convention Center, Petco Ball Park, Lincoln High School and other San Diego signature projects – stated Abdur-Rahim Hameed, National BCA President.
Rev. Shan Harris President and CEO for the People Alliance for Justice, made a cameo visit to express his support for the mission of the National Black Contractors Association, and share his group’s mission on Silver Rights (economic opportunity) for the poor and the needs for job opportunities for 18-year-old emancipated foster care youth who are kicked out of the home when the check stops! “We won’t livable paying construction jobs for youth who are cut off and put out on the streets, at 18 years old without anything, which is why we are partnering with the National Black Contractors Association as a pipeline to construction. Although the elephant in the room was Mr. George Harris, contracts compliance manager for San Diego Unified School District $8 billion construction projects, who is slated to come to next month’s Oct. 10th, 2019 Chat n’ Chew to discuss what is it for YOU! This Chat n’ Chew was also attended by the City of San Diego’s Purchasing and Contracting office, to work the room as an invitation to contractors to do business with the City of San Diego to improve on its outcomes.
The Chat n’ Chew was co-hosted the Cultural Brokers family support services, whose concern is those poor families get jobs to keep the home intact. The BCA Chat n’ Chew is every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 12:00 p.m. located at 6125 Imperial Ave. San Diego, Ca 92114 (619) 263-9791 [email protected]
