One of Santa’s helpers is local African American contractor

For 380 families, Christmas was a little

merrier this year thanks to Paul King, Chairman of UBM Inc., Chicago’s

largest Black construction firm. In the company’s ongoing effort to set

an example of what an African-American business should do to support good

causes and provide assistance to the community’s less fortunate, King presented

20 gift certificates worth $20 each to all 19 of the city’s black aldermen.

‘UBM has benefitted from the goodwill of

the African-American alderman and we wanted to show our support for all

of the good work they do’, declared King.

It is no accident that King chose to donate

Jewel-Osco food certificates. Earlier this year, UMB Inc. completed the

Stony Island Plaza, anchored by the Jewel-Osco, at 95th and

Stony Island. It was the first time in the company’s 100-year history that

a black general contractor was chosen to build one of its stores. As a

result of UBM completing the project under budget and ahead of schedule,

the giant grocery chain has awarded King’s company a contract to build

another Jewel-Osco in the suburbs.

‘We were given the opportunity to build

the Stony Island store as a direct result of Ald. William Beavers and Mayor

Richard Daley’s efforts. This is an example of what can happen when you

give African-Americans opportunities,’ explains King. ‘In the throes of

the attacks on affirmative action, it’s important that we forge close working

and supportive relationships with our Black alderman. We also really want

to thank Jewel-Osco for taking part in this program with us.’

Many of the alderman are expressing their

gratitude to UBM for the generous gesture. At a time when the aldermen

are trying to help those who are the most needy, Alderman William Beavers

(7) said that King’s gift was timely.

‘The gift certificates from Paul King were

very important for us in the preparation of our food baskets. We give turkeys

away to our constituents, but that’s not all one needs to complete a meal.

Consequently, the $20 gift certificate will allow a family to buy the additional

food to go with their turkey,’ said the veteran Black alderman.

Ald. Leonard DeVille (2) agrees. His ward

office was giving out turkeys and blankets, donated by the Salvation Army,

to the needy. ‘The donation from Paul King helped us with the work we do

during the holiday season,’ explains the far South Side alderman. ‘We appreciate

his thoughtfulness and generosity.’

What makes King’s gift especially effective,

said Ald. Lorraine Dixon (8) is that he gave it directly to the ward offices.

‘In my ward, we were able to send the gift certificates to 20 seniors who

are low income and needed the help to have a very nice Christmas dinner.

Through working with the schools, community organizations and senior buildings

we are able to learn first-hand who needs the help and how to direct any

charitable donations where they can do the most good,’ said Ald. Dixon.

King says he is proud the 25-year-old company

is able to help others, and he will continue to look for innovative ways

for how his company can be a model to other black businesses that want

to be good corporate citizens to the African American community.