Community Construction

Rafael Hernandez (EMDC ’13) stood outside a converted fire station in Chicago’s largely Latino Pilsen neighborhood as community members entered the newly opened Yollocalli Art Center.

The ribbon-cutting for the facility—which offers free arts and culture programming for teens and adults—had just ended, but for Rafael, the true celebration was seeing people realize they had a place to create, gather, and grow.

As principal at Blackwood Group, a general contracting, design, and development firm, Rafael helps reshape Chicago neighborhoods through projects that put people before profit. His work spans affordable housing and cultural spaces, with community impact at its core.

“We’re dedicated to work in the Hispanic community and particularly with not-for-profits,” Rafael said. “We’re proud to keep collaborating with the smaller organizations in our community.”

Rafael applies lessons he learned more than a decade ago in Northwestern Engineering’s Master of Science in Executive Management for Design and Construction (EMDC) program, which prepares professionals to lead strategically within the built environment sector.

For Rafael, the program was a turning point in both his career and his life. As one of the older members of his cohort, he valued learning alongside classmates with diverse backgrounds and accomplished faculty.

“I loved hearing from professors about how to approach a project strategically,” Rafael said. “It wasn’t just, ‘Here’s how you budget a project.’ We were taught to view the built environment more holistically.”

Blackwood Group, founded by fellow Northwestern alum Jose Duarte (MPM ’01), has grown steadily under their shared leadership. Rafael oversees marketing and client relationships while staying closely involved in daily operations.

That hands-on approach has helped the firm maintain quality and earn trust, Rafael said.

The company’s recent work spans Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs, including Alsip, Back of the Yards, Pilsen, Forest Park, and Worth, totaling more than 170 affordable housing units. Blackwood Group also recently completed a $58 million mixed-use project delivering over 50 affordable units alongside approximately 30,000 square feet of commercial space, including a clinic, bakery, and coffee shop through the City’s INVEST South/West initiative.”

“We are looking to expand our efforts in affordable housing development,” Rafael said. “That project has helped us connect with more clients in the Hispanic community.”

The company’s approach is rooted in collaboration and transparency. Rather than engaging in competitive bidding wars, they partner with developers early in the process—helping shape budgets, align expectations, and navigate city requirements 

“We lend them a hand,” Rafael said. “We ask, ‘What’s your program? What can we do to help you bring this to life?’”

As Blackwood continues to grow its development portfolio, Rafael is energized by the shift in role and perspective. No longer chasing every contract, he now focuses on creating opportunities for others—bringing in subcontractors to help them build their experience, reputation, and long-term success 

He also sees his work through a broader, more strategic lens—an outlook he attributes in part to his experience in EMDC 

Looking ahead, Rafael sees strong potential on Chicago’s Southeast Side—his home community—as well as in sustained partnerships with nonprofit organizations. For him, success goes beyond constructing buildings; it’s about developing strategy, strengthening relationships, and uplifting communities.

“It’s essential for these projects to succeed,” Rafael said. “At the end of the day, it’s about the people.”