Follow Your Passion: 2023 IC100 Chevron Dorothy A. Terrell Community Impact Award Winner

By ICIC | January 18, 2023

Omoné O. Livingston wanted to become an engineer since she was 11 years old. She followed her passion for building and making a difference in the community. This drive has helped her focus on building sustainable infrastructure that can be used by communities and the world to bring clean water to those who don’t have it, among other things. Omoné’s “Why” is making an impact through not only what she does, but how she does it and that drives her in business.

O2EPCM, Inc. dba O2 Engineering, Projects, & Construction Management, is the recipient of the 2023 Inner City 100 Chevron Dorothy A. Terrell Community Impact Award. The award is named after ICIC’s first President and CEO and is given to the Inner City 100 (IC100) company with the greatest impact on its community and workforce. It was presented during the IC100 Awards Ceremony at ICIC’s Annual Conference in Miami.

In her acceptance, Omoné expressed gratitude, stating, “I am thankful and grateful to receive the Chevron Dorothy A. Terrell Community Impact Award and want to thank everyone, including ICIC, Chevron, my O2EPCM family, my friends, my family, our partners, and our clients for their continuous support in everything that we do. Thank you for this honor.”

Building on a Legacy of Small Business Recognition

ICIC’s corporate, foundation, and individual partners have one thing in common: an unwavering commitment to helping under-resourced communities and small businesses thrive. The 2023 IC100 Awards mark 25 years of celebrating the 100 fastest-growing businesses in under-resourced communities across the U.S. These companies serve as catalysts for job growth and contribute to the prosperity of under-resourced communities. Chevron has long supported the Inner City 100 Awards as part of its commitment to benefitting communities through economic development and inclusion. For the eighteenth year, Chevron and ICIC presented the Dorothy A. Terrell Community Impact Award, which O2EPCM won in its first year on the IC100 list.

Preparing Future Generations

O2EPCM specializes in providing comprehensive solutions in program and project management, construction management, project controls, QA/QC management, claims management, BIM, inspection, staffing/staff augmentation, and planning/design/engineering support. Beyond its professional services, O2EPCM distinguishes itself through impactful scholarships, internship initiatives, and active participation in community development events. The company has established diversity scholarships in collaboration with community partners, providing financial support ranging from $20,000 to $30,000 annually to deserving students pursuing careers as engineers and architects. These scholarships not only open doors for aspiring professionals but also contribute to the overall diversity and inclusivity of the industries O2EPCM serves.

Follow your dream. Follow your passion. Don’t let anyone detour you from what you want to do. Do it right. Treat people right. Respect is key to ensuring that people know that they’re valued, ensuring that they are appreciated on a consistent basis. – Omoné O. Livingston

Commitment to Communities

O2EPCM’s commitment to nurturing talent and diversity is evident in its hiring practices, reaching beyond traditional recruitment to provide opportunities to individuals facing hardship. The company has been actively involved with the South Bay Workforce Program in Los Angeles, hiring and training individuals to transform their lives through meaningful careers.

O2EPCM provides support for the professional development of its employees, offering benefits such as tuition reimbursement, business skills training, formal career counseling/mentoring, career development planning, and more. This focus on employee growth contributes to a skilled and empowered workforce that, in turn, benefits the communities it serves.

The impact of O2EPCM’s community engagement initiatives has not gone unnoticed. In addition to the 2023 Inner City 100 Chevron Dorothy A. Terrell Community Impact Award, Omoné Livingston was honored with the prestigious “Economic Empowerment Advocate Award” by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Los Angeles. This recognition reflects her unwavering commitment to volunteerism and dedication to the development of students and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Omoné’s advice to other entrepreneurs resonates. “Follow your dream. Follow your passion. Don’t let anyone detour you from what you want to do. Do it right. Treat people right. Respect is key to ensuring that people know that they’re valued, ensuring that they are appreciated on a consistent basis.” Great advice from a successful entrepreneur, business owner, and world citizen.