Author: Malik Majeed

University Place Associates (“UPA”) and U.S. Facilities, Inc. (“USF”), a subsidiary of PRWT Services, Inc., Philadelphia’s largest minority-owned company, have announced that they have signed a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) whereby USF will provide facility management on 3.0 University Place, the world class new construction project planning to break ground at the end of the year.  The LOI also expresses the companies’ mutual interest in working together throughout all additional projects UPA develops in ‘The Platinum Corridor,’ the area stretching from 39th – 42nd St. on Market St and centered at the 40th & Market Street Transit Hub.

The organizations will have the opportunity to work closely as needed throughout construction to completion, to ensure unparalleled excellence in operations. No corridor of commercial buildings or commercial real estate has set the bar to the highest environment level, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”) Platinum.

“This is an entirely different approach we are taking with respect to property management in that our facilities management partner is involved even during the construction process,” said UPA Founder and CEO Scott Mazo.

“Developing a world-class commercial building requires many stakeholders and it is critical that they all work together to achieve a truly exceptional result,” said PRWT President and CEO Malik Majeed. “Building to LEED Platinum standards is extraordinary and we look forward to supporting Scott’s vision of achieving not only the highest level of sustainable construction but best-in-class operational efficiencies.”

UPA and USF have a common vision for construction projects that are community centric.

“When we built 2.0 University Place at 41st Street and Powelton Avenue, our approach involved members of the West Powelton Concerned Citizens Community organization to ensure that their needs and concerns were addressed.” said Mazo. “We will take a similar approach for all new projects, including 3.0 and 4.0 University Place, planned for Market Street.”

“Where else do you see this kind of commitment and vision,” commented Majeed. “This combination of responsible construction and care for the community is a standard that we completely embrace.”

Read more about University Place Associates at https://www.upaphila.com/.

Read more about PRWT/U.S. Facilities at http://prwt.com/.

By Malik Majeed, President, CEO & General Counsel

This August PRWT Services, Inc. will be celebrating its 30^th anniversary. Of course, reaching milestones like 30 years of business excellence prompts one to reflect on the highs and the lessons learned of the last three decades. While I’m sure my colleagues and I will be doing more reflecting and celebrating as we get closer to our anniversary date, today I can’t help but think of one of the most important parts of what helped us reach this point, and that’s our employees.

At PRWT we’re very proud of the fact that we hire from local neighborhoods and surrounding communities. And even as we’ve grown our business into a nationally renowned firm, we’re still committed to the city where it all began for us — Philadelphia.

We understand that even though we’re the largest minority-owned firm in the city, we may not be a household name that young people are thinking about working for one day. So that requires us to step away from our desks and spend time recruiting in the community. To do this, we often partner with others, including:

• Temple University Annual Neighborhood Job Fair
• Girard College Job Fair
• Southwest Philadelphia with Kenyatta Johnson Job Fair
• Grays Ferry Ave Job Fair

We also host internal job fairs at least twice a year, including our job fair tomorrow, May 2 from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Anyone interested in attending can register here.

Some may think job fairs are old school. But without a doubt these events help us to reconnect with our community members and find talent for every position, right in our own backyard. And that’s what has kept us true to our mission and values for the past 30 years, and will be what continues to drive us forward for the next 30.

By Malik Majeed, President, CEO & General Counsel

I recently read an article in Black Enterprise Magazine about six African-American teenagers who are leading the charge in innovative business solutions. Some are developing apps, others are conducting motivational tours and one is even making deals with the NBA. These teens and the work they are doing greatly impressed me, but I wasn’t the least bit surprised. I know this young generation, known to researchers as “Generation Z” or “iGeneration,” is going to change the world — and for the better.

Because of a partnership with the Adopt-a-School Program, PRWT Services, Inc. has the opportunity to follow students from 9th to 12th grade at Martin Luther King High School in the School District of Philadelphia. There, my colleagues and I get to support and interact with tomorrow’s leaders on a regular basis. We conduct three annual themed workshops where we talk about a variety of topics, including leadership, post high school options, career choices and job readiness.

Beyond interactive lectures, we sit down and talk with students regarding their social engagements, travel activities and political awareness. These young adults never fail to amaze me with all that they do in their school and community.  For instance, some of the students take a business course at school that teaches them about taxes and tax preparation.  Other students go home and help support family businesses, e.g., a family owned landscaping company.

As the President, CEO & General Counsel of the largest minority-owned firm in Philadelphia, I know how important it is to spend time mentoring the next generation of leaders in the communities in which we live and work.  Since our company’s inception nearly 30 years ago, PRWT has made it a point to hire from the local neighborhoods and surrounding communities. So, it is beyond encouraging when I sit down with or read about inspiring, motivated teens. Despite the stigmas that may befall young people, I am confident they will leave our world in a better place than they found it.