Siemens and its partner, Atlanta MBDA Business & Advanced Manufacturing Centers at Georgia Tech, recently selected IronShore Contracting LLC as one of seven small businesses owned by black individuals to receive a $20,000 grant. Gregory Malcolm, owner of NRCA member IronShore Contracting, is a graduate of NRCA’s Future Executives Institute.
One of the major effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for IronShore Contracting was having to delay its employee training curriculum and the development of the company’s manufacturing arm. The grant will be used mainly toward training and workforce development for an emerging sector in the company.
“Here at IronShore, we are innovators, merchants, bankers, and builders,” Malcolm said. “We pride ourselves on ensuring that every player of the team has what they need to succeed. This includes the client in addition to our employees. The timeliness of this grant and the generosity of Siemens & MBDA will go towards the continuing education of our current employees. This grant will allow us to further build the people who build the industry and who build our great city.”
Malcolm also has partnered with Baltimore regarding its proposed legislation to create the Dante Barksdale Career Technology Apprenticeship Fund, which offers a school-to-career pipeline for students in the city. Named after community activist Dante Barksdale, who was fatally shot while working Jan. 17, the fund focuses on providing career opportunities to prevent violence in communities.
During a press conference, Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby spoke about Malcolm’s efforts in Baltimore.
“His company has committed to the success of young people in the city, and he’s already demonstrated that by hiring some of our young folks,” Mosby said. “And we hope through this fund, we provide young folks the opportunity in the future to do more.”
Malcolm said he is a “product of Baltimore City.”
“My path to success was faith, church, school, education,” he said. “Those are my formulas. Listening to my mother, staying out of trouble. Opportunities aren’t always presented to individuals in Baltimore and other cities … we are committed to assisting every individual we can.”
Malcolm also emphasized the importance of partnering with government or obtaining grants to help provide necessary training for youths.
“We could teach them more than just one way to success,” he said. “We offer avenues for people with higher education, as well as those who say, ‘Hey, college is not for me.’ A company such as Ironshore Contracting gives an opportunity where an individual who is good with his or her hands can come and make a difference without having to make bad decisions.”
View the press conference featuring Malcolm and additional news coverage regarding the fund.
