Some projects are measured by their size or complexity. Others are measured by the impact they'll have for generations.
For Powers & Sons Construction, the Obama Presidential Center is both.
A Day Years in the Making
On June 18, 2026, thousands gathered to celebrate the official opening of the Obama Presidential Center—a milestone that marked years of planning, partnership, and hard work.
The ceremony featured remarks from Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett, President Barack Obama, and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who spoke about the Center's mission to inspire leadership, strengthen communities, and empower future generations.
The celebration also included unforgettable performances by an incredible lineup of artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Common, John Legend, Bono and The Edge, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, Tems, The Roots, Eddie Vedder, and many others. It was a celebration filled with music, hope, and the shared belief that this Center will continue to inspire people for generations to come.
Building More Than a Landmark

Located in Chicago's historic Jackson Park, the Obama Presidential Center was designed to be much more than a presidential library. It is a place where people can gather, learn, connect, and be inspired to create positive change in their own communities.
The campus includes the Museum Building, Forum, Programs & Athletic Center, a branch of the Chicago Public Library, and welcoming public green spaces that will serve residents, students, visitors, and community organizations for years to come.
Just as important as the buildings themselves was the commitment to creating opportunities throughout the project. From workforce development and local hiring to supplier diversity and economic inclusion, the Center was built with the community in mind from day one.
Powers & Sons' Role
For Powers & Sons Construction, this project has been more than a decade in the making.
Long before construction began, Mamon Powers Jr. recognized that the future Obama Presidential Center represented more than the opportunity to build a landmark. He saw it as a chance to change the way major projects were pursued by minority-owned contractors.
Rather than competing against one another for this historic project, Mamon envisioned bringing Black-owned general contractors together to work as partners. His belief was simple: by uniting their strengths, experience, and resources, they could create greater opportunities.

That vision led Powers & Sons Construction, Brown & Momen, Safeway Construction Company, and UJAMAA Construction to unite as the Presidential Partners. Together, they shared a common goal: to demonstrate the strength, expertise, and capabilities of Black-owned construction firms while creating meaningful opportunities for minority businesses and the next generation of construction professionals.
As the project continued to take shape, Turner Construction Company joined the partnership, and together the five firms formed Lakeside Alliance, the construction management team selected to bring the Obama Presidential Center to life.
What began as one leader's vision to unite rather than compete became something much larger. Lakeside Alliance not only delivered one of the most significant cultural projects in the country, but also created a model for collaboration, inclusion, and shared success that will leave a lasting impact on the construction industry.
As we celebrate the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, we're also celebrating the vision that made it possible and the thousands of people whose dedication, craftsmanship, and collaboration turned that vision into reality.

Looking Ahead
The completion of the Obama Presidential Center represents years of collaboration, dedication, and craftsmanship from thousands of individuals committed to creating something that will inspire generations to come.
We are grateful to have been a part of the team that helped bring this historic vision to life and congratulations to the Obama Foundation, Lakeside Alliance, and all project partners on this remarkable achievement.
At Powers & Sons Construction, we remain committed to building projects that create opportunities, strengthen communities, and leave a lasting impact for generations to come.
As a proud member of Lakeside Alliance, Powers & Sons Construction is honored to bring the historic vision for the Obama Presidential Center to life and to celebrate our ongoing commitment to building projects that create opportunities, strengthen communities, and leave a lasting impact for generations to come.