Article by: Deona Davis
When I look at construction sites across Cleveland, Ohio, I don’t just see bricks, beams, and blueprints — I see opportunity. I see legacy. I see the fight to close a generational wealth gap that has haunted our communities for decades. Black construction in Cleveland is not simply about building houses; it is about rebuilding power.
Across the country, Black-owned construction and development firms are stepping up to address housing shortages and wealth disparities. From eco-friendly earth brick communities in Ghana to micro-home developments in Georgia and mixed-income projects in Florida, we are witnessing a renaissance in Black-led building. And here in Cleveland, that same spirit is alive.
Nationally, firms like LS Black Constructors have demonstrated that safe, affordable, and high-quality housing can be delivered across multiple sectors. Meanwhile, global projects such as Indigo Homes’ Oara Park and Greenwich Park in Ghana are proving that sustainability and culture can coexist beautifully. Earth brick homes there are built to be up to 10 degrees cooler than traditional cement homes, reducing the need for air conditioning and lowering long-term costs. That innovation matters.
In Cleveland, we need that same bold thinking.
Black contractors here face significant barriers. Access to capital remains one of the largest hurdles. While larger, majority-owned firms often have long-standing banking relationships and easier bonding capacity, many Black contractors struggle to secure the same lines of credit or insurance requirements needed for large municipal or private projects. Without bonding, you can’t bid. Without capital, you can’t scale. It becomes a cycle that’s hard to break.
There’s also the issue of access to contracts. Historically, Black contractors have been excluded from major development projects or relegated to smaller subcontracts with tighter margins. Even when cities establish minority participation goals, enforcement can be inconsistent. The playing field simply isn’t level.
Yet, despite these challenges, Black-led initiatives continue to push forward. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity are actively working to close the Black/White homeownership gap by financing and building homes designed to create intergenerational wealth. The focus isn’t just on shelter — it’s on ownership. Ownership changes everything.
Modern Black developers are also embracing sustainable materials and green construction methods. Using locally sourced materials, energy-efficient designs, and innovative aesthetics — including bold, modern exteriors — they’re reshaping what affordable housing looks like. It’s no longer about “basic.” It’s about beautiful, smart, and sustainable.
In Cleveland, where housing inequality and aging infrastructure intersect, Black construction firms have a unique opportunity to lead in revitalization. Imagine micro-communities built on vacant lots. Imagine mixed-income developments that allow working families to stay in neighborhoods they helped build. Imagine green homes that reduce utility costs for families already stretched thin.
Black builders are not just constructing properties — they are constructing pathways to economic independence. They are creating jobs, training young tradespeople, and demonstrating that ownership of land and development is one of the most powerful tools in closing the racial wealth gap.
The truth is, it has always been harder for Black contractors because the system was not designed with us in mind. But history also shows that when we build — despite the barriers — we build with purpose.
In Cleveland, that purpose is clear: ownership, sustainability, community, and legacy.
We are not just pouring concrete. We are pouring foundations for the next generation.
