By Bill Day

For generations, Black contractors have built the churches, schools, and landmarks that shaped our communities. In Birmingham, this legacy is undeniable. The historic 16th Street Baptist Church, a cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement, was designed in 1911 by Black architect Wallace A. Rayfield and built by Black contractor T.C. Windham. These men laid the foundation—literally and figuratively—for what would become one of the most significant landmarks in American history.

Decades later, Black businesses continued driving major construction projects in our communities. In the 1970s and 80s, when white banks refused to fund Black congregations, Dr. A.G. Gaston’s Citizens Federal Savings and Loan stepped in. His support provided an opportunity for Black churches to ensure resources circulated within our communities. He understood the power of keeping the Black dollar in Black neighborhoods. By empowering Black-owned construction firms like Mac Pon, Dr. Gaston helped sustain a thriving Black business ecosystem — one that uplifted families, built generational wealth, and strengthened the economic backbone of our communities.

Yet today, that legacy is being erased.

The Black Church: Built by Us, Now Built Without Us
As construction moves forward on the new 16th Street Baptist Church Multi-Purpose Educational Facility, Black contractors are not leading the effort—despite the presence of experienced Black general contractors and subcontractors. This isn’t just about one project; it’s part of a growing pattern where Black businesses are consistently excluded from major capital improvements at the very institutions they built and sustained.

Black churches have long been central to our struggle for justice and self-sufficiency. They weren’t just places of worship; they were community hubs, political organizing spaces, and economic engines. When the 16th Street Baptist Church was bombed in 1963, it was Black-owned Gillard Construction that restored it. James Poindexter, now 92 years old, was a superintendent on that project. He reminds us of what’s at stake: Black communities once took pride in and responsibility for building their own institutions.

Yet today, that commitment is fading. Churches that once ensured Black contractors led their construction projects now outsource to companies with no ties to our history or struggle. In contrast, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Dr. King once preached, protects its legacy by prioritizing Black builders and businesses.

So why aren’t we doing the same in Birmingham and across Alabama?

It’s Time to Empower Each Other
We can no longer afford to stand by as our communities are excluded from the very projects we built and sustained. The decisions being made today will shape the future of our neighborhoods. If we are leaving these decisions in the hands of others, then we are failing ourselves.

The question is clear: Are we willing to empower each other, or will we continue to hand over opportunities to those who don’t share our history or commitment to our communities’ development?

This is not simply about contractors. Black businesses, Black contractors, and the broader Black community must be actively considered — not as an afterthought, but as central contributors. The facts remain—if there is an opportunity, particularly one of this magnitude, it must involve Black businesses. Our survival depends on it. We must challenge our community leaders, our churches, and our elected officials to ensure Black contractors and businesses have a seat at the table. Anything less is a betrayal of our legacy.

A Call to Action: Reclaiming Our Economic Future
This is bigger than a single church project. Across Alabama, Black participation in commercial construction is nearly nonexistent. When Black businesses are excluded, our neighborhoods suffer. Without contracts, there is no growth. Without economic circulation, communities decline.

The lack of Black contractor inclusion directly contributes to economic stagnation, unemployment, and generational poverty. Yet, institutions that were once champions for Black economic empowerment are now bypassing Black businesses altogether.

The consequences of failing to reinvest in our communities are devastating. When opportunities bypass Black businesses and contractors, the cycle of economic disinvestment continues — and with it, the cycle of violence. Economic stability and community empowerment are directly linked. When we create jobs, support Black-owned businesses, and invest in our neighborhoods, we foster safer, stronger communities.

We also have a responsibility to train and mentor the next generation of Black men and women in commercial construction. Representation matters. Young people in our communities need to see themselves in these spaces — as leaders, builders, and business owners. The absence of Black professionals on major projects sends a damaging message, reinforcing the false narrative that these opportunities are not for us.

It’s time to break that cycle. By empowering Black contractors and businesses, we not only honor our history but also build a future where our communities thrive.

We Must Ask Ourselves:
Why are we handing over our resources and future to those who don’t share our history and have little concern for our communities’ economic stability?

How can we demand better for Black businesses in Alabama?

Is our legacy being forgotten and sold?

The Time to Act is Now
The exclusion of Black contractors is not just an economic issue—it’s a matter of historical and cultural preservation. At a time when institutions that uplift our history are being defunded, dismantled, or removed from public view, the need to sustain and honor our legacy has never been more urgent.

We are witnessing efforts to erase the stories of resilience, progress, and achievement that define our contributions to this nation. Monuments are taken down, funding is slashed from cultural programs, and accurate accounts of our history are deliberately pushed aside. If we fail to demand inclusion in the projects that shape our communities, we risk losing not only our economic power but also the very narrative of our existence.

It’s time for Black institutions to lead by example—just as they did in the past. It’s time to stand up for Black builders, Black businesses, and Black communities. By reinvesting in our communities, we protect our stories, empower our youth, and ensure that the lessons of our history are not forgotten.

The power is in our hands. It’s time to empower each other.

Join the conversation.
Contact me at info@blackcontractorsassociationinc.org to share your thoughts and take action.