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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowHomer Somerville has been in the construction business for about 60 years, since moving from his native Tennessee to work for an uncle who was a construction foreman in Indianapolis.
Over time, Somerville—now 81—worked his way up in the industry, eventually starting his own company, Somerville Construction, which he operated for about 20 years. Then, a couple of years ago, he reorganized the firm into Indianapolis-based Top Notch Brick, Block & Stone, which employs 20 people.
The company is one of about two dozen subcontractors—all owned by people of color, women, veterans or people with disabilities—working on a $15 million manufacturing facility that will produce medical devices for Bloomington-based Cook Medical after it opens next year.
One goal of the project—which is a partnership with Goodwill Industries and the Central Indiana Community Foundation—is to employ people from the economically challenged northeast-side neighborhood where the facility is located and where a majority of residents are Black.
What do you think about this project’s effort to use 100% minority contractors?
Well, I’m very impressed to see the unity and to see everybody working together. It’s been a good job for me.
I think it’s a good thing because young people need someone to look to (as career inspiration). We know that young people need an idol to work from. And this shows them that.
How did you get into construction?
Well, I’ve been in the business for about 60 years. I’m from Tennessee. … And out of high school, I was working for the telephone company, making about $45 a week. My uncle was working for a contractor [in Indianapolis] and he said I could make $100 a week. So I came.
I started off as a laborer. And then I went through their apprentice program, and I spent about half my time in the union and about half non-union.
And after that, I just went and started my own company.
Why start your own firm?
It seemed like it was hard to get paid working for other people. You never knew if or when you were going to get a paycheck. I was sick of that. If I started my own company, that wouldn’t happen.
And I promised the guys I wouldn’t ever delay their pay—and I’ve been able to keep that promise.
What kind of projects do you do?
We do anything in masonry. We do all kinds of apartment buildings, churches, anything that needs masonry.
Tell me about your workforce.
Right now, we’re 100% minority. But I haven’t been 100% minorities all the time, because lately, you can’t hardly find young people that want to work.
So, it’s a blessing to have a project, a program like this. So the young people have an opportunity to come in and see that somebody’s going to train them and let them have an opportunity to be a bricklayer or whatever they desire to be.
You’re 81. Will you ever retire?
Not really. I’ve analyzed it out, and I think, if you don’t do something, you’re going to fade away. I’d rather go out fighting.•
Correction: The name of the company owned by Homer Somerville has been corrected in this story. It is Top Notch Brick, Block & Stone.
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Good for you, Homer! Keep up the good work. It is inspiring to see a man of your age and character continue to work. You are a role model for all construction trade workers.
This is a great story of preservice. It’s unfortunate more younger black people in construction don’t follow his example. I’ve often wondered how we can have so many Hispanic owned contractors in the Indy area and so few black owned contractors.
Nice article, Homer. Very inspiring story of service and excellence. You are proof that age is a state of mind!
Rose P.