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Impact through purposeful action

The promises we keep today lay the foundation for tomorrow — the journey starts now.

latest impact posts

Remembering Radcliffe Bailey, a Great Artist

I was sad to learn that Radcliffe Bailey, a game-changing American contemporary visual artist, passed away recently. I was truly inspired by the time I spent with him. Radcliffe’s unique artistic approach, mixing media, paint, and sculpture, explored African-American history and the intersection of ancestry, race, and cultural memory in the everyday. Bailey was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey, on November 25, 1968, but moved to Atlanta, Georgia, by the age of four. Curator of modern and contemporary art Michael Rooks once said that Bailey was “probably the most prominent living artist here in Atlanta.” The city’s High Museum of Art was a source of inspiration for Bailey, leading him to attend the Atlanta College of Art, where the city’s history with civil rights and the Civil War served as some of his greatest artistic muses.

Illumination 2023: An Underwater Success!

Illumination 2023: Underwater was a tremendous success last weekend! Since it started, Illumination has been one of my favorite events to advocate for and attend. It was an unforgettable night filled with musical performances, a laser light show, glowing artwork, food, and great friends. Most importantly, the 1200 people who joined us at Vertiport Chicago raised $1.1 million to cast a light on rare diseases and support the search to cure RVCL. This has personally impacted me, as my late wife Ellen was diagnosed with RVCL in 2005.

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Our ESG Report: Upholding Environmental, Social, and Governance Goals

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The time is always right to do what is right,” – and Clayco has a rich history of doing the right thing. We have continuously operated with our people, places, and clients in mind to build “Beyond These Walls.” This mantra emulates that what happens inside the buildings we construct is more important than the bricks and mortar.

Constructing Dreams & Bright Futures

If there is one aspect of Clayco that has consistently rang true since its establishment decades ago, it's that our organization is dedicated to bettering the lives of people in underserved communities. Clayco is proud to be one of the many sponsors of the Construction Career Development Initiative (CCDI), which connects youth in underserved communities with career opportunities in construction. This past weekend, CCDI hosted its first Saturday Academy session at Clayco with 25 ambitious high school students looking to expand their personal and professional development. It was an incredible success! Events like these are integral to connecting youth from under-resourced neighborhoods with career opportunities in construction. CCDI has a strong class of seniors in the program this year, and it’s great to see how the initiative helps them discover their path in construction.

Success at Clayco's Second-Annual Kids Dig!

Children are the future, and investing in their wellness is committing to creating a brighter and healthier society. Clayco recently hosted its second-annual Kids Dig in partnership with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. This event attracted over 120 young patients and their families to participate in hands-on construction education and the chance to operate bulldozers, excavators, and other equipment in a giant sandbox with professional assistance. The best part about this incredible fundraiser is that all proceeds go directly to Lurie Children’s, supporting the more than 220,000 children who come to the hospital for treatments annually.

Pedal the Cause

Clayco supported finding a cure for cancer as we committed to our 13th year with Pedal the Cause! Almost every member of our Clayco family has been impacted by cancer, whether it is that of a family member, friend, or colleague. Our goal as an organization is to innovate communities and industries to build a better, healthier future beyond our walls. Pedal the Cause is an important initiative that aligns with our core values and supports lifesaving research with its efforts.

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The key choices we make in this life

Some of the key choices that we get to make in this life are the things we prioritize, both with our finances and with our energy and efforts.

Over the course of my life, my priorities have shifted immensely, and I now spend a large amount of my time focusing on the work that our foundation is doing, as well as being engaged in impactful community efforts. The majority of the work that we are a part of is aimed at issues directly affecting my family and the Clayco community.