HISTORY
BOWA Gives began as a natural extension of BOWA Construction and its deep commitment to building and transforming communities. Founded in 2009, BOWA Construction is a leading national construction management and general contracting firm rooted in purpose, integrity, and impact.
At the heart of BOWA Gives is a powerful personal story. As former student-athletes, BOWA Construction CEO Nosa Ehimwenman and his wife, BOWA Gives Executive Director Ashley Ehimwenman, know firsthand how sport can shape a person’s future. Athletics taught them discipline, leadership, and resilience—and it’s what led them to The Ohio State University, where they met and fell in love on the field.
Now, as professionals of color in the construction and engineering industries, they’ve experienced the challenges underrepresented communities—especially girls—face in accessing opportunity. Determined to make a difference, they combined their passion for sport with their commitment to equity and founded BOWA Gives, the nonprofit arm of BOWA Construction, in 2021.
That same year, BOWA Gives partnered with the Chicago Park District to host youth track and field clinics at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center at Gately Park—a full-circle moment, as BOWA Construction had built the facility in honor of Dr. Worrill, a lifelong advocate for youth and athletics. What began as clinics soon evolved into a larger movement.
In 2022, BOWA Gives proudly hosted the Fastest Kid in Chicago, a citywide track competition that brought out incredible energy and excitement. Inspired by the overwhelming feedback from families, coaches, and the community, BOWA Gives scaled the event into an even more intentional effort: an annual weekend dedicated to empowering girls through sport.
In 2023, the organization launched the first BOWA Gives Girls Invite, a track and field event created to give young female athletes the space to be seen, celebrated, and supported. The response was electric—and affirmed what BOWA Gives had known all along: girls need and deserve this space. The Invite has since grown into a two-day annual event attracting athletes from across the Midwest, and it’s only the beginning.
As the organization has grown, it’s expanded its programming beyond sport to complement BOWA Construction’s natural connection to the Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE) fields. Through supporting internship and career exposure programs, BOWA Gives is ensuring that diverse populations have the exposure, guidance, and resources they need to succeed and thrive in their chosen careers.
What started as a way for BOWA Construction to give back has become something much more: a mission-driven nonprofit creating pathways to success through sport, mentorship, and career exposure..
BOWA Gives exists to turn lived experiences into meaningful action—to help youth, especially girls and youth of color, thrive on the field, in the classroom, and in their future careers. Through our programming and partnerships, we’re ensuring that the next generation isn’t just seen—they’re equipped, supported, and empowered.
Fueled by passion and purpose, BOWA Gives is a reflection of who we are and what we believe. It’s rooted in BOWA Construction’s DNA, where community engagement isn’t a checkbox—it’s a cornerstone. Because at BOWA, we don’t just build buildings. We build futures.
