About Us

We take pride in Who We Are

BOWA Construction is an African American-owned and operated general contracting and construction management firm based out of Chicago. Incorporated in 2009, the company’s foundation is built on the core principles of integrity, innovation, teamwork, and excellence. The organization prides itself on its talented and diverse team of professionals that use the latest industry technology and tools to exceed client expectations. BOWA has completed mission critical and complex projects in healthcare, aviation, higher education, sports facilities and K-12 education, over 250 projects completed. The organization is led by an executive management team with respected experience in the key areas of preconstruction, operations, engineering, and community engagement. BOWA builds projects with passion and is driven by the anticipation of the impact it will have on our communities for years to come.
Our Mission

We exist to build in all communities.

Our Story

BOWA means “Build your future” in Edo, a native Nigerian language from ancient and powerful Benin Kingdom. It was a chant that the people would recite to encourage the builders while they were rebuilding the Edo Kingdom over 200 years ago. It was rebuilt after it was invaded by Great Britain in 1897. We exist to build great buildings; recognizing that our impact can be much greater than the structures we construct.

Founded in 2009, BOWA started in a second bedroom of a family home, and later rented a 10 x 10 office on the southside and years later expanded our operations, taking over the very same building. A building that was once a retail strip containing a beauty supply store, tire shop, liquor store, and fast food eatery; is now a renovated modern 10,000+ SF office building.

BOWA DNA

The guiding principles for our team.

1. The People.

We are talented individuals who represent the BOWA brand and values.

2. Teamwork.

Collaboration is the foundation for achieving our goals.

3. The Client.

Our business operations and project success is built around the customer experience.

4. Innovation.

We use industry technology and are always seeking ways to be inventive.

5. Gamechangers.

We exist to disrupt the industry. Not doing business as usual.

6. Purpose.

Each project is driven by our why. There is a reason behind what we do.

7. Community.

We are successful when we give back.

Build With BOWA.

BOWA

MEANS

"Build Your future" in Edo, a native Nigerian language.

2009

Bowa was founded In Chicago, Illinois

2011

Operations Begin with 3 employees

Our mission, from day one, has been to

Construct Buildings in All Communities. 2014 - 2016, we really started to see the impact of our work.

2014

People on the move

Bowa’s President & CEO featured in Crain’s “ People on the Move.”

2015

40 under 40

Bowa’s President & CEO recognized by 40 under 40 Game Changers.

2016

Outstanding Business

BOWA recognized by the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce as an Outstanding Business of the Year.

Developed With Love & Patience

Unique Elementor Widget Tailored Just for You

High Performance

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Easy to Customize

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Fully Responsive

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These were a couple of

Groundbreaking Years In our company history.

2017

Contractor Of The Year

Bowa recognized as Metra DBE Contractor of the Year.

2017

Best New Retail Concepts Honor

Recipient of the Best New Retails Concepts Honor by The Airports Council International-North America, for Nuts on Clark restaurant at O’Hare Airport.

2018

Chicago Sun Times Feature

April Chicago Sun-Times feature recognizing Bowa Construction’s completion of Starbucks at O’hare airport; the first African-American owned firm to serve as a prime contractor for concessions.

National Rankings Reflect the

Excellence of #teambowa.

2018

Bowa Makes the inc 5000 list

Bowa Makes the
inc 5000 list
Bowa ranked #1248 for Inc 5000 of the fastest growing , privately held companies in the US.

Ranked #9 by Fortune

Bowa Ranked #9 on Fortune’s 100 Fastest-Growing Inner City Companies.

As We Break Ground,

We remain grounded In our core values and the "Bowa dna."

2019 & 2020

Back-to-BAck Crain's Ranking's

For back-to-back years, Bowa Ranked #13 on Crain’s “Chicago’s Biggest Minority-Owned Businesses” list.

2020

Chicago Police Station at O’Hare

Bowa was the first minority-owned prime contractor in Illinois to be awarded a major airport construction contract in Chicago.

2021

Entrepreneur of the Year - Finalist

Our President & CEO, Nosa Ehimwenman, was a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Midwest.

Developed With Love & Patience

Unique Elementor Widget Tailored Just for You

High Performance

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua enim ipsam voluptatem quia.

Easy to Customize

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua enim ipsam voluptatem quia.

Fully Responsive

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua enim ipsam voluptatem quia.