ALDERMAN WANTS BLACK CONTRACTORS TO HELP REBUILD THE COMMUNITY

17th Ward Alderman David Moore called for companies across the city to hire Black contractors to rebuild businesses that were damaged during unrest after George Floyd’s death. Photo by Tia Carol Jones
17th Ward Alderman David Moore called for companies across the city to hire Black contractors to rebuild businesses that were damaged during unrest after George Floyd’s death. Photo by Tia Carol Jones

Alderman wants Black contractors to help rebuild the community

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Standing in front of the Walgreens located on 1213 W. 79th St., and after George Floyd’s death sparked nationwide uprisings and unrest, David Moore, 17th Ward Alderman, stood with elected officials, clergy, contractors and community organizations, and called for companies to use Black contractors during the rebuilding process. “Use intentionality of hiring black people, use intentionality of hiring black contractors and when you’re intentional about this, then we can begin to move forward on [a] myriad issues,” Moore said.

According to Moore, Black contractors built the Walgreens located on 1213 W. 79th St. and he said people need to understand the history of the location and where the community is today. “Where we are today, given everything that happened, wasn’t just about Mr. Floyd,” Moore said. “It was about systemic racism throughout.”

Moore said his focus on Chicago’s City Council and as vice chair of the committee on equity, is to make sure that there is equity in contracts and that Black contractors are hired for both labor and professional services.

Moore said that he has spoken to both Walgreens and Walmart, but it isn’t just about those two companies.

“This is about every corporation from here in Englewood to downtown, to downstate by East St. Louis. So, we’re asking and we’re demanding for people to make sure they’re intentional in hiring Black people,” he said. “So, we’ve asked them to make sure that Black contractors were hired not only at this location, but throughout and to put a plan together.”

Moore said he reached out to clergy members and they made calls to companies. He also reached out to other elected officials and they made calls to companies. He said after a concerted effort, Walgreens agreed to a plan.

Father Michael Pfleger, of St. Sabina Catholic Church, said almost 20 years ago, the community fought to bring Walgreens to the location and they also fought to have a Black contractor build it.

“We need the businesses. [The] hashtag can’t be BlackLivesMatter, and nothing’s done to put it into flesh and reality. The nice phrases are great, but now they need to put it in[to] action, we need businesses to come into the community and open up their businesses and stores in the community,” Pfleger said.

Pfleger added all the businesses that experienced damage during the unrest, need to open up again.

“You can’t determine you’re going to open up on the North side, but not the South side or West side,” he said adding, every one of the businesses has to open. “They have to open up with the same speed. So, I don’t want to see that a Walgreens or a Jewel or a Walmart opened up someplace else and they’re back going and we’re still waiting to be done. They need [to] open up all at the same time,” Pfleger continued. He added hiring Black contractors doesn’t just have to happen in the Black communities in the city, but Black contractors should be hired in all communities in the city, he said.

“You’re going to find this hard to believe Chicago, but Black folks can work in the white community, too. We want to make sure they’re included and get equity in all the different stores, in all [the] different retail [stores],” Pfleger added. “If the rebuilding is taking place, use African American contractors,” he said.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.