The P3 Project for Diverse Entrepreneurs

In this episode of the P3 Project for Diverse Entrepreneurs, host Shelton A. Russell speaks with  Anup Tamrakar , founder and CEO of Urban Infraconstruction , and the cover story subject of the latest issue of American DBE Magazine. Anup Tamrakar's story reflects the modern immigrant entrepreneur journey in America's infrastructure and construction economy. Born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, Anu...

Air traffic control and aviation expert Oscar Lewis, president of The Lewis Company, visits the P3 Project podcast to discuss the recent midair collision of a military helicopter and passenger airplane near Washington, D.C. Lewis provides his insight on the accident and shares why DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) had nothing to do with this mishap. Lewis also discusses his journey to buildin...

Kadilex Construction President Karl Jefferson Jr. joins the P3 Project for Diverse Entrepreneurs podcast to discuss his success in building a full-service Ironworking company in the infrastructure and transportation industry. Jefferson shares his experience of starting the business in 2010 specializing in rebar installation on bridge and highway projects but has expanded the company to include a v...

Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. and WSP USA Senior V.P. and National Transit and Rail Market Leader Jannet Walker-Ford visit episode #33 of the P3 Project for Diverse Entrepreneurs. Both Fords share their journey as a married couple maintaining a thriving relationship while serving as leaders and transportation industry executives. They also discuss their philosophi...

Episode #32 of the P3 Project for Diverse Entrepreneurs features a conversation with father and daughter entrepreneur duo Steven Davis and Monique Allen. Davis is President & CEO of Construction & Engineering Services Consultants, Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida; and Allen is President of ACMS Northwest, LLC in Portland, Oregon. Both minority business leaders are growing successful enterprises as DB...

Fairpointe Planning, LLC CEO and Principal Tanisha Hall visits the P3 Project podcast and shares her journey to growing a successful business in the transportation planning industry. Hall talks about her business strategy when starting the company, the importance of getting certified as a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) and a woman-owned business (WBENC); and how these certifications helpe...

Legacy Rail Operations co-owners Gregory White and Jeffrey Wright visit the P3 Project podcast to share their journey towards DBE success in building a rail operations consulting firm helping transit agencies across the country improve the design, construction and operation of passenger rail systems. The brothers discuss uniting Jeff's extensive experience working in rail operations at Chicago Tra...

DIGroup Architecture President Vincent Myers, AIA, LEED AP visits the P3 Project to share his firm's history as a merger of three architecture firms coming together to maximize their collective opportunity. Vince also talks about being a second generation architect after his father, Harvey Myers, became one of the first African American licensed architects in the state of New Jersey. He discusses...

Messer Construction Vice President - Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer Stanford Williams shares his company's best practices for increasing the participation of MBE, WBE and DBE firms in supplier diversity efforts on construction projects. As a member of the company's executive leadership team, Williams works directly with Messer President and CEO Timothy J. Steigerwald and other leaders to en...

Talson Solutions, LLC Founder and President Robert S. Bright shares the history and accomplishments of his DBE and MBE-certified consulting firm specializing in construction auditing and capital project consulting. Bright talks about the role of a construction auditor, new industry opportunities coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and how to pursue international business opportunities....

Onyx Enterprise, LLC President and CEO Tarolyn Buckles shares her firm's story and journey toward success. Buckles is an engineer and entrepreneur building an engineering consulting, program management, and construction management firm based in Detroit, Michigan. Onyx Enterprise provides construction inspection services, materials testing and water/wastewater engineering. The firm is a certified w...

Episode #25 of the P3 Project features an interview with Sumithra Jagannath, president of ZED Digital. Sumithra talks about her path to entrepreneurship after working in the technology industry earlier in her career. She also talks about new technologies and software applications changing the way transportation services are utilized, through internet-based tools like multimodal trip planning, cont...

Yerba Buena Engineering and Construction President and CEO Miguel Galarza shares his inspiration for starting the company as a Hispanic business owner in San Francisco, California in 2002. Galarza talks about his background working as a journeyman carpenter in the labor union and then working for a SBA 8(a) contractor while learning to manage projects for the federal government. He also talks abou...

This episode of the P3 Project features Charnelle Hicks-Gungor, president of CHPlanning/Nspiregreen. Hicks-Gungor describes her background and how she got interested in the urban planning industry as a college student at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. She also talks about her experience and strategy for growing her Philadelphia, PA-based DBE firm from a startup in 1998, to building a solid in...

C. David Moody visits the P3 Project podcast to discuss his journey as an entrepreneur in the Atlanta, Georgia construction industry and his journey as a survivor of sexual abuse as a child. Moody's story of overcoming obstacles and challenges to achieve success is woven through his numerous professional and personal achievements. Moody founded C.D. Moody Construction Company, Inc. (CDM) in 1988 a...

Episode 21 features an interview with Mae C. Whiteside, P.E., founder, president and CEO of CKL Engineers LLC. CKL is based in Chicago and is licensed and a certified DBE firm in the states of Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Iowa and Indiana. Whiteside discusses her journey from public housing and homelessness to building a successful and award-winning engineering firm, while overcoming major obstacles...

Brunson Cooper, managing director of Corenic Construction visits the P3 Project podcast and talks about growing a thriving MBE/DBE construction company the Metropolitan Washington, DC area. Cooper shares his background working for one of the largest construction companies in America after graduating from North Carolina A&T State University. He also talks about growing Corenic Construction from a s...

LLE Construction Group LLC president & CEO Lasenta Lewis-Ellis joins the P3 Project to discuss her history and success as a woman entrepreneur in the construction industry. Lewis-Ellis talks about the challenges of starting a company in Columbia, South Carolina and the strategies she used to grow the company. She also shares her personal black history hero, tips for entrepreneurs to grow a success...

Attorney Rodney K. Strong, CEO of Griffin & Strong P.C., visits the P3 Project podcast to discuss his firm's work to increase equity and inclusion for minority-owned and women-owned DBE firms across the country. Strong highlights Griffin & Strong's work on the Living Cities - City Accelerator initiative by helping 15 cities analyze their procurement activities to identify best practices and improv...

Episode 17 of the P3 Project podcast features a conversation with Melvin E. Clark Jr., owner, chairman and CEO of G.W. Peoples Contracting Company Inc . The company is based in Arlington, Virginia is one of the nation's leading minority-owned rail construction companies. Mr. Clark talks about his experience in growing two rail construction companies during his career, his advocacy work on behalf o...

Attorney Colette Holt of Colette Holt & Associates visits the P3 Project podcast to discuss the legal landscape for DBE, minority-owned and women-owned businesses during the President Biden Administration. Ms. Holt also talks about the current makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court and the potential impacts this court can have on civil rights and affirmative action programs to support diverse business d...

This episode of the P3 Project Podcast features H. Jerome Russell Jr., son of the late Herman J. Russell Sr. H.J. Russell Sr. started H.J. Russell & Company in 1952 and over the years the company has grown into a multifaceted organization engaged in real estate development, general construction, program management, and property management. Russell shares the history of H.J. Russell & Company, what...

This episode of the P3 Project Podcast for diverse entrepreneurs highlights best practices and resources for DBE and HUB business owners to keep themselves and their workforce, subcontractors and suppliers safe during the pandemic. This episode features NCDOT Office of Civil Rights Director Shelby Scales, NCDOA Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) Deputy Director Alicia Lyon and...

Lisa Williams, founder and principal of Cap8 Doors and Hardware talks to host Shelton A. Russell about navigating a company as a minority businesswoman in a male-dominated industry. Williams is the owner of the full-service door distributor and installer company. Listen in as she shares how she overcomes challenges, why there's been an uptick in her business during a pandemic, and  how she's keepi...

Episode 12: The Dragon Group In this episode, P3 Project host Shelton A. Russell is joined by principals of The Dragon Group, Randall and Yvonne Dragon. The Dragon Group is a full-service construction management and sustainability consulting firm with a mission to build a better environment and community. The firm is certified as both a DBE and MBE firm in Georgia. Listen in as the couple discuss...