Bishop Louis Henry Ford

For whom the Bishop Ford Freeway was named dedicated his life to touching the lives of others through community and economic development throughout the United States. Although Bishop L.H. Ford spearheaded the construction of numerous facilities namely Saints Academy in Lexington Mississippi, he envisioned the construction of a senior living facility on the grounds of St. Paul Church of God in Christ located at 4550 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Upon his home-going this vision was passed on to his son…

Bishop Charles Mason Ford

Picked up the torch by his committment to make manifest the vision of building a high-rise senior citizen building on the premises of St. Paul. Bishop Charles M. Ford desired to increase the participation of minorities and women In the construction of the Margaret Ford Manor Senior Living Facility and appointed his son as a Community Consultant to work with UBM Construction, its subcontractors and the community to this end …


Elder Kevin Anthony Ford

Worked with Paul King of UBM Construction to address the issue. However, after reviewing over 200 applications, Elder Ford identified the major  barriers that kept minorities and women from entering the apprenticeship programs that would qualify them to become unionized. SPCDM (formerly Project P.R.I.D.E.) was established in 2000 as a direct result with its first contribution of $10,000 from Mr. Paul King. To date, SPCDM Career-Readiness program has received more than $3M in funds to continue its endeavor to enhance community and economic development by assisting minorities and women in entering the trades.

SPCDM Career-Readiness accomplishments are supported by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) and recognized throughout the State of Illinois as one of the most successful Career-Readiness programs that helps women and minorities enter apprenticeships.