Ujamaa Construction, Inc.

What Ujamaa Construction, Inc. does

Ujamaa Construction, Inc. is a privately held general contracting and construction management firm founded in 2002 by Jimmy Akintonde and headquartered on Chicago's South Side, with a Southeast regional office (Morrow/Atlanta metro) established in 2017. The firm delivers institutional, commercial, residential, and industrial projects across the Midwest and Southeast, offering a full service mix that includes General Contracting, Construction Management, Design-Build, Owner's Representative, Historical Renovations, Value Engineering, Program Management, Community Engagement, Self-Perform Carpentry, and Sustainability/LEED support. UJAMAA operates as a project-based professional services business with 100+ full-time employees, averages roughly 60 concurrent projects, and has completed over 1,000 projects since inception; pricing and contract terms are negotiated per project rather than publicly disclosed.

Revenue is generated through construction contracts with government agencies, healthcare systems, developers, and commercial clients, often delivered through joint ventures with larger general contractors (McHugh, Power Construction, Leopardo, Pepper) and developer partners (The Michaels Organization, DL3 Realty). Notable project footprints include O'Hare Terminal 5 Concourse M Expansion (~300,000 SF with Austin Power Partners), the FedEx Cargo Relocation complex at O'Hare (350,000 SF multi-building, LEED Silver), Park Station Lofts (58-unit affordable housing, first under the Woodlawn Affordable Housing Ordinance), Advocate Trinity Hospital (new South Side replacement), the Sankofa Wellness Center in Garfield Park, Austin HOPE Center (anchor: Lurie Children's), and The 1901 Project (multi-phase, 55+ acre redevelopment around the United Center). The firm holds MBE, EBE (City of Chicago), and CMS (State of Illinois) certifications, a silver-level OSHA alliance, and reports $46 million in diversity spend since 2020 with a 70% repeat client rate and a 0.85 EMR in 2022.

The operating model is relationship-driven and partnership-led: UJAMAA contributes diversity/community-compliance capability, self-perform carpentry, and a tightly integrated subcontractor network, and pairs with larger primes on bond-and-scale work it could not execute alone. Differentiators cited internally include deep South Side community roots, the Kiswahili 'Ujamaa' cooperative economics philosophy, board-level engagement with workforce nonprofits (Genesis Housing Development Corp, Revolution Workshop, BUILD Inc., St. Leonard's Ministries), and an awards track record that includes March of Dimes Transportation and Construction (2023), multiple 'Outstanding General Contractor of the Year' honors, and the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame. The firm uses standard third-party construction software (BuildingConnected for bidding, FieldEase for compliance/reporting) and does not disclose proprietary technology or AI/ML capabilities.

Name

Ujamaa Construction, Inc.

Legal name

UJAMAA Construction, Inc.

Website

https://ujamaaconstruction.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Ujamaa Construction is a privately held Chicago-based general contractor and construction management firm founded in 2002, delivering institutional, commercial, residential, and industrial projects across the Midwest and Southeast, with a focus on MBE-certified diversity contracting and community engagement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

General Construction Contracting and Construction Management

NAICS

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (236220), Residential Building Construction (23611), Industrial Building Construction (23621), New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236116)

SIC

Operative Builders (1531), General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540), General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Office & Corporate Building Construction (IMAFACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Healthcare Facility Construction (Hospitals, Clinics, Labs) (IMAFACAD)

Keywords

• General contracting
• Construction management
• Design-build delivery
• Commercial construction
• Industrial construction

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. General Contracting Services: UJAMAA generates revenue through general contracting and construction management services. They deliver projects via multiple delivery methods including Construction Management, Design-Build, and Owner's Representative services. Revenue is project-based, derived from construction contracts with government, institutional, commercial, and residential clients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

UJAMAA Construction is a general contracting and construction management firm delivering institutional, commercial, residential, and industrial projects across the U.S. Midwest and Southeast. Services are executed via Construction Management, General Contracting, Design-Build, Owner's Representative, Historical Renovations, Value Engineering, Program Management, Community Engagement, Self-Perform Carpentry, and Sustainability delivery methods, with revenue earned through project-based contracts with government, institutional, commercial, and residential clients.

Product overview

UJAMAA Construction is a general contracting and construction management firm offering a unified portfolio of construction services including General Contracting, Construction Management, Design-Build, Owner's Representative, Historical Renovations, Value Engineering, Program Management, Community Engagement, Self Perform Carpentry, and Sustainability Services. The company executes projects across four main sectors: Institutional (government, healthcare, educational, cultural), Commercial (retail, financial, food services, sports/entertainment), Residential (multi-family, high-rise, hotels, mixed-use), and Industrial (utilities, warehouses, aviation, transportation). Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Chicago with a Southeast office in Atlanta, UJAMAA has completed over 1,000 projects in the Midwest and Southeast regions. The company emphasizes diversity contracting and community engagement as integral to its service delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Contracting Client-centric approach to construction with focus on completing projects in complex environments. Maintains constant communication with clients and utilizes a tight-knit group of subcontractors to navigate complex project requirements.
• Construction Management Open-book approach allowing clients to share in project savings. Monitors and coordinates all variables to ensure projects are completed on time, safely, and within budget and quality expectations.
• Design-Build Brings contractor and architect under one contract for more transparency, accountability, and collaboration. Particularly useful for fast-track schedules or occupied workspaces.
• Owner's Representative Represents the owner's interests throughout the construction process, providing oversight and coordination of all project aspects.
• Historical Renovations Restoration and renovation of historical structures while maintaining architectural integrity and meeting modern building standards.
• Value Engineering Cost optimization service that analyzes project components to deliver maximum value while maintaining quality and functionality.
• Program Management Comprehensive management of multiple projects or complex construction programs from inception through completion.
• Community Engagement Community-focused initiatives including workforce diversity, local hiring, and partnership with community organizations throughout construction projects.
• Self-Perform Carpentry In-house carpentry capabilities allowing direct control over quality and scheduling for carpentry aspects of projects.
• Sustainability Services LEED-certified construction practices reducing waste and ecological impact. Focus on sustainable design and building practices.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of clients return for subsequent projects
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and strategic.

• McHugh ConstructionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner for The 1901 Project - a transformational multi-phase redevelopment of over 55 acres surrounding the United Center campus on Chicago's West Side. This is one of UJAMAA's most significant current projects involving entertainment, hospitality, retail, housing, and community amenities.
• Austin Power PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner for the O'Hare Terminal 5 Concourse M Expansion - over 300,000 Sq Ft project, the terminal's first major expansion since 1993. Partnership resulted in LEED Silver certification targeting and robust DEI outcomes including over 50 permanent jobs.
• Brown & MomencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner for Park Station Lofts - 58-unit affordable housing project in Woodlawn neighborhood. The project features a Black woman-led construction team and all-Black project management field team.
• McShane Construction CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner for 4400 Grove project - two 4-story, 42-unit apartment buildings at 4424 and 4434 S. Cottage Grove in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. $26.5 million budget with 14-month construction duration.
• LeopardomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner for Sankofa Wellness Center in Garfield Park - ground up new construction of a three-story, 55,530-SF building. Project includes healthcare, financial wellness, career coaching, and early childhood education spaces with Rush University Medical Center, Erie Family Health Center, and YMCA as anchor tenants.
• Pepper ConstructionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner for Pepper-UJAMAA team awarded Construction Management contract for Phase 1 of Community High School District 218 Masterplan. Focus on performing arts renovations and athletic expansions at Eisenhower High School and Shepard High School.
• The Michaels OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper partner for Park Station Lofts and 4400 Grove projects. Manages over 400 communities with 146,000 residents. Leading affordable housing developer with 16 communities in Chicago.
• DL3 RealtycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper partner for Park Station Lofts - first affordable housing project under Woodlawn Affordable Housing Ordinance. Committed to anti-displacement and community benefit.
• Power ConstructionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on O'Hare Terminal 5 project and Advocate Trinity Hospital project. Major Chicago construction firm with expertise in large-scale aviation and healthcare projects.
• Genesis Housing Development Corporation (GHDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner for youth-build program introducing inner-city youth to construction environment. CEO Jimmy Akintonde serves on GHDC Board of Directors. Teens work alongside UJAMAA crews to renovate residences for HRAIL program.
• Revolution WorkshopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partner through strategic partnerships throughout the nation. Focused on transforming and creating opportunities and job training for underserved communities.
• Build, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity development partner for BUILD project - renovation of 10,000 Sq Ft building and new construction of 40,000 Sq Ft building serving as headquarters for BUILD Inc and community center for Austin neighborhood.
• St. Leonard's MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership focused on workforce development and creating opportunities for returning citizens and ex-offenders in the construction industry.
• Austin Power PartnersstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction partner for O'Hare Terminal 5 Expansion project. Collaboration recognized at March of Dimes Transportation and Construction Awards Luncheon.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• McHugh Construction: Chicago-based general contractor with comparable mid- to large-scale commercial, institutional, and aviation project book. Active joint venture partner with UJAMAA on The 1901 Project (United Center redevelopment), making it the most directly comparable peer.
• Pepper Construction: Major Chicago-headquartered general contractor serving institutional, commercial, and education clients across the Midwest. JV partner with UJAMAA on Community High School District 218 Masterplan, directly competing for the same opportunities in UJAMAA's core institutional/K-12 segment.
• Power Construction: Chicago-based general contractor with deep expertise in healthcare and aviation construction - precisely UJAMAA's strongest verticals. JV partner with UJAMAA on both the O'Hare Terminal 5 and new Advocate Trinity Hospital projects, making it a natural head-to-head competitor.
• Leopardo Companies: Established Chicago commercial GC focusing on healthcare, corporate, and higher-education construction. JV partner with UJAMAA on the Sankofa Wellness Center, competing for the same institutional/healthcare project pool in Chicago.
• McShane Construction Company: Midwest-headquartered (Rosemont, IL) general contractor active in multifamily, healthcare, and commercial sectors. JV partner with UJAMAA on the 4400 Grove multifamily development in Bronzeville and competes for affordable housing and institutional work in the Chicago metro area.
• Brown & Momen, Inc. Minority-owned Chicago general contractor active in affordable housing, institutional, and community development - closely aligned with UJAMAA's positioning. JV partner with UJAMAA on Park Station Lofts, the first project under the Woodlawn Affordable Housing Ordinance.

Broad incumbents

• Walsh Group: One of the largest privately held U.S. construction firms (Walsh Construction), headquartered in Chicago with national footprint across building, civil, and transportation. A broader incumbent that competes for the same large institutional, aviation, and healthcare project opportunities as UJAMAA's JV partners and UJAMAA itself.
• Turner Construction Company: Nation's largest commercial interior and general contractor with deep presence in healthcare, aviation, and higher education - the same verticals where UJAMAA competes most often. Represents the broader-incumbent competitive ceiling UJAMAA's JV partners operate against.
• Clark Construction Group: National general contractor with a major Chicago-area practice and strong institutional/healthcare book (including aviation work). Competes for the same large scale public-sector and healthcare opportunities in the Midwest that UJAMAA accesses via JV.
• Mortenson Construction: Top-tier U.S. general contractor with strong healthcare, higher-education, and aviation practices. Competes for institutional and large-scale healthcare project opportunities UJAMAA targets, particularly in the Midwest and Southeast regions UJAMAA serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ujamaa-construction-326743547503779
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1331578
• Xx.com/ujamaaconstruct

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ujamaa Construction, Inc.