Revolution Workshop

The revolution began at a table.

This particular table happened to have been built by a formerly-incarcerated young man who was working his way out of the Chicago criminal legal system. As Revolution Workshop’s founders pulled up their chairs around his impeccable craftsmanship, a transformational conversation began.

At that time, a staggering 37% of Chicago’s Black residents ages 20-24 were unemployed—and the numbers aren’t much better today. When people lack resources and opportunity, the whole city suffers.

Our country is also navigating an acute talent shortage and lack of diversity in the construction sector. Though good paying jobs are available, employers struggle to find the skilled workers they need to fill them.

Around the table, we asked: what if these two problems have a single solution? What if we could uplift the folks in our communities who’ve historically had fewer opportunities to build family-sustaining careers by training them to meet the needs of the construction industry?