Comcast Logo
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Comcast Oregon

  • About
  • Be Prepared
  • Contact

Comcast RISE Recipient Sharon Maxwell Constructs Her Business With Determination

1 year ago

Sharon Maxwell doesn’t mince words.  “Men kicked me to the curb.”

Sharon Maxwell doesn’t care about busting stereotypes: “I am a black woman in a white man’s industry.”

Sharon Maxwell isn’t just dreaming: “We can literally rebuild our community.”

Sharon Maxwell, owner of Bratton Construction, is one of more than 40 small business owners in Oregon/SW Washington who are receiving a Comcast RISE technology makeover.

Comcast RISE is a national program created to assist BIPOC-owned small businesses which have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19 and social unrest.

Maxwell grew up in poverty in the very same Northeast Portland neighborhood where she currently lives and works.  When she learned of a construction trades program at Portland Community College, a teenage Sharon jumped in with both feet.  “I became a sprinkler fitter as the Rose Quarter was being built,” she recalled.  “I saw a career for myself in construction.”

She took business courses at Portland Community College while apprenticing and had a vision that she could start a company “that would employ people who looked like me.”  She went on to earn two bachelor’s degrees and an MBA.

Her business began in 1999 with a $50,000 contract, and despite some almost crushing setbacks, she persevered, eventually partnering in 2012 with the “big boys” like Lease Crutcher Lewis, Skanska, and Hoffman Construction on the PCC Cascade campus renovation in her “backyard.”

Sharon Maxwell stands proud in front of a library she renovated on the PCC Cascade Campus.

Today she is on pins and needles waiting to hear if her construction proposal has been accepted for a significant project, returning to the community a 1.7-acre vacant block at a site that was once was part of a thriving community that housed the majority of Black families in Portland. “This project will bring me full circle, participating in my community, while standing on the shoulders of my elders,” said Maxwell.

As for the technology makeover coming from Comcast RISE, the assistance is timely. “I had to furlough all my employees during Covid,” she said.  “I’m so grateful that larger companies like Comcast are reaching out to keep businesses like mine economically viable.  We’ve been left out.  Disadvantaged.  Unable to access capital.”

Sharon Maxwell will continue to meet every challenge and take advantage of every opportunity that comes her way.  “I show my kids everyday that if you commit, you can do anything you put your mind to.”

Filed Under: Community Impact
Tagged With: bipoc, bratton, construction, northeast portland, rise

Customer Experience

Comcast Customer Using Eye Gaze Technology

Comcast Joins United Spinal to Improve Technology Access for People with Disabilities

2 days ago

  -by Erin Taylor, Director of Tech Access, United Spinal In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), United Spinal is proud to highlight our … Read More...

Community Investment

PCC President Mark Mitsui and Senator Margaret Carter

Comcast Returns as Presenting Sponsor of Portland Community College Foundation’s “Begin Again” Fundraiser

3 weeks ago

Spring was in the air at the Portland Community College (PCC) Foundation’s annual fundraiser. The fundraiser returned in-person this year and the festivities … Read More...

Comcast Business

Teo Ramirez, owner of Los Potrillos and Comcast RISE awardee

National Small Business Month: How Small Businesses Can Utilize Technology to Increase Productivity and a Secured Network

3 days ago

Small businesses have had to make significant changes over the last two years. With this, came decisions around remote work, downsized workforce, and … Read More...

Terms of Service. Privacy Policy. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Copyright © 2022 Comcast Corporation. All rights reserved.

Comcast Logo

This site uses cookies to enable your digital experience. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy.

I agree
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT