Brinker Group, The largest Black-Owned Contractor in The United States

Here’s what I found about Brinker Group, the Detroit-based firm widely recognized as the largest Black-owned contractor in the United States:

Brinker Group at a Glance

Founding & Structure

• Founded: 1989 by Larry Brinker Sr. in Detroit, Michigan, originally as a small carpentry business called Brinker Team Construction
• Evolution: It has since expanded into a family of five specialized companies under the Brinker umbrella, including:
  • L.S. Brinker Co. (general contracting & construction management)
  • Brinker Team Construction
  • Universal Glass & Metals
  • City Carpet & Flooring
  • Edgewood Electric

Recognition & Scale

• In December 2024, Brinker celebrated its 35th anniversary and was formally touted in a news release as the largest Black-owned contractor in the U.S.
• The company generated $203 million in revenue in one recent year and projected $285 million in 2023
• It employs 500+ people and has managed billions of dollars in construction projects under the leadership of CEO Larry Brinker Jr.

Major Projects & Impact

Brinker has been instrumental in revitalizing Detroit’s infrastructure and skyline, having contributed to numerous major landmarks:

• Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center & Little Caesars Arena
• Michigan Central Station (with The Christman Company)
• Book Tower historic redevelopment
• Huntington Bank Tower, Michigan headquarters for Huntington National Bank
• Motown Museum expansion
• Additional projects include LinkedIn’s Detroit office, Ford Field, Comerica Park, and university, medical, and cultural facilities
• Historic Preservation Recognition: The Brinker–Christman joint venture received Michigan’s Governor’s Awards for Historic Preservation in 2025 for their roles in preserving Michigan Central Station and Book Tower

Leadership & Community Legacy

• Larry Brinker Sr. remains Chairman, legendary for starting the firm and championing both craftsmanship and community support
• Larry Brinker Jr., CEO, brings engineering expertise and a vision for innovation, expanding the company into new regions such as North Carolina
• The firm is deeply rooted in community empowerment, workforce diversity, and minority business inclusion—pursuing a project workforce with at least 30% diversity and engaging with Detroit’s Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity department

Quick Summary Table