THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 17, 1994 TAG: 9411150143
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: Larry W. Brown
LENGTH: Long : 153 lines
WITH HER WHITE Contractor's College three-ring binder in hand, Dorothy Carroll tiptoed to the MacArthur Theatre auditorium for another class session.
It was already past 6 p.m., and she didn't want anyone to realize she was late.
But as she got into the groove of the Contractor's College for that evening and looked around at her classmates, a smile spread across her face.
``It makes me feel so good to step in there to see so many black men with their own businesses,'' said Carroll, 49.
The Contractor's College, sponsored by the Turner and Curtex Construction companies, was a free six-week course designed to help minority contractors in all areas of construction management. The classes started in September and ended Nov. 8.
More than 190 business owners from throughout Hampton Roads were enrolled in the classes, which gave them management techniques and a network of fellow business owners.
Sessions were held every Tuesday for 2 1/2 hours. A combination of staffers from Turner, Curtex and outside consultants served as lecturers on subjects such as estimating, scheduling, marketing, cost control, bonding, accounting and contracts.
``I liked the way they spoke, so a layman can understand,'' Carroll said.
Though the students engaged in conversation with the teachers, Andre Gilliam of Hampton said the students did not play around.
``They stressed participation and being on time,'' Gilliam, 32, said of the teachers. ``It's a sit down, listen and talk type of thing.''
Curtex president Curtis Cole Jr., who serves on the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said the college is part of the city's effort to better itself and create jobs.
The city and the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority helped sponsor the classes. Cole said the city and the NRHA are trying to formulate an ``empowerment zone'' by soliciting more minority business owners.
``This was something to whet their appetites and give them some exposure, so they can see it's not as hard as they thought,'' Cole said. ``(We wanted) to give them a map to success.''
The college has been held every year since 1969, but this year's group was the largest and most enthusiastic, Cole said.
The classes also opened up many job opportunities. Several of the students are working on the new downtown Tidewater Community College campus, and others are planning to bid for contracts on the upcoming MacArthur Center and on renovation to other downtown municipal buildings.
The mostly black, mostly male students came from as far away as Elizabeth City and Newport News. They didn't just let the speakers lecture - they jumped into the sessions, using knowledge they have gained in the field.
``Everybody's into it. It's just amazing,'' Carroll said. ``and they know what they're talking about. It's good to see such a large group of black men doing something positive.''
Using a combination of guest speakers, slide presentations, question-and-answer sessions and group projects, the classes shed light on areas that are often overlooked, students said.
``It pulls out a lot of gray areas people don't realize,'' said Gilliam, who is project manager for Gilliam Welding. ``It helped in things you have to deal with every day.''
Gilliam, whose company specializes in fabricating handrails and security doors and windows, said the college was a success because it was sponsored by actual contractors who know the business.
``These people are actually out there dealing with the construction world,'' Gilliam said.
Jose Colon, of C&C Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration in Hampton, said he had nothing but rave reviews for the college.
``From day one I felt like it was going to be very helpful to the company,'' said Colon, who attended the classes with his wife, Aminta. ``It opens up the possibility of the general contractors to see the small businesses and what they can do.''
Emmanuel George, who runs Plant Maintenance Services in Virginia Beach, agreed.
``It's so much to learn and to gain from,'' said George, 30. ``If (Curtex) had another seminar I'd take the time out to go. Anyone else should try to take the opportunity and take the chance to gain knowledge.''
It was impressive, George said, that other contractors took the time to organize and teach the classes. He said the college was both informative and fun.
``The Curtex seminar has really been a great thrill,'' George said. ``They've done a great job.''
George, who has been in business for three years, said thanks to the college he already is looking forward to a better year.
``I learned pointers on how to smooth out my business,'' George said. ``I'm going to manage a lot more.''
Carroll, a Norfolk real estate agent, is not a contractor but said that her job often brings her in touch with contractors.
``The class gave me more insight into plans and specs, and it broadened my knowledge of what the contractor does,'' Carroll said. ``Now I can understand what has to be done.''
In addition to the job tips, students say they were able to meet a number of other contractors. Colon, 32, said he already has scheduled two jobs with an electrician he met in the class.
``You tend to pick up a business relationship with the contractors that are there,'' Gilliam said.
During the class breaks, George said, contractors had the chance to learn about each other.
``There's a lot of different businesses,'' he said. ``We all talk and exchange cards and business numbers. There's more minority businesses out there than I thought.''
Introducing minority business owners to each other was one of the college's goals, Cole said.
``There was one guy who said he joined forces with another company, and several have gotten contracts with other contractors,'' Cole said. ``That's what we were hoping would come out of this class.''
The college must be continued to teach up-and-coming contractors different aspects of the construction, George added.
``It's a great tribute to a small minority business, a person who's trying and doesn't know the business,'' he said.
Participants learned about the classes through friends, mailings and business associations. Carroll said people should not pass up opportunities like this.
``If there's anything out there that's learnable and free, I'll check it out,'' she said. ``And this is what's good about the free workshop. You get to weave it into other things. I had nights free, so why not?''
On the college's final evening, Cole said the students had testimonials to show how the class has helped them.
``This was not just a pie-in-the-sky thing or something that was just going through the motions,'' Cole said. ``There are several in that class who are better off today than they were before the class. And from the testimonials . ILLUSTRATION: ON THE COVER
The color cover photo, taken by staff photographer Jim Walker, is of
Contractor's College student Andre Gilliam, project manager for
Gilliam Welding.
Staff photos by PAUL AIKEN
Silhouetted by the light of the overhead projector, lawyer Bernard
T. Holmes gives a lecture on contracts.
Emmanuel George, who runs Plant Maintenance Services in Virginia
Beach, records a session of the college.
Staff photo by JIM WALKER
Andre Gilliam, a Contractor's College student, is project manager
for a welding firm that specializes in fabricating handrails and
security doors and windows.
Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
Dorothy Carroll is a Norfolk real estate agent who attended the
college to get more ``more insight into plans and specs.''
KEYWORDS: MINORITY CONTRACTOR CONTRACTOR COLLEGE MINORITY BUSINESS by CNB