Chicago, IL — January 1, 2020  Bledsoe International announces the celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2020. The firm launched in 1970 and continues to thrive as one of America's premier Black owned provider of construction services for both commercial businesses and home owners.

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Bledsoe, under the leadership of Ether Bledsoe in 1970, grew the company from a two person painting business into a company by 1980 that had grown to nearly 100 employees and generating well over a million dollars a year in revenue. Bledsoe competed against the largest commercial painting contractors in the United States and won projects throughout the country. Notable projects include being the original painting contractor of the General Motors Assembly Plant in Wentzville, Mo. The company was also the original painting contractor of the historic Mansion House/Holiday Inn on the Mississippi riverfront in downtown St. Louis, Mo. The company was also the original painting contractor of the floating excursion ship "The Admiral" that was a hallmark on the St. Louis riverfront for decades. The company also was assigned the monumental task of painting five Chicago Public Schools with a mandate that all five schools had to be completely painted during the summer recess period. Bledsoe was able to have them all painted within time and budget.

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Bledsoe has had an interesting history with some ups and downs but has adapted well over the years to keep up with changing trends and better serve its customers. Roofing and painting companies come and go.  Bledsoe has withstood the test of time.  Despite severe economic recessions, competitors that work night and day to put the company out of business, fierce opposition from haters and a constantly changing marketplace, after 50 years the company is strong and still growing.

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In 1992, without any knowledge of roofing, Demetrius Bledsoe diversified the company and added a roofing division by applying a "paint-on" system that restores roofs with a new waterproof membrane. The system can be applied onto flat, shingle and metal roofs. The system also prevents the need to tear-off the existing roof surface which saves a property owner a tremendous amount of money. Bledsoe did its first roof restoration project for St. Louis University in 1992. Since then, the company has become a leading applicator of waterproof roof coatings and has completed projects in every region of the United States.

Over the past 50 years, the company has also trained numerous individuals toward developing the necessary skills to learn certain trades and to ultimately become self sufficient. Ether Bledsoe would always say that his biggest joy was employing individuals and giving them the means to provide for their families. Ether Bledsoe was also a founding member of the Minority Contractors Association of Missouri/Kansas (MO-KAN) in 1974. The organization was formed to ensure that Blacks were not excluded and received justified participation on local, state and federal construction projects. Ether Bledsoe served as the President and Chairman of the Board of MO-KAN for many years. It was

MO-KAN that received national attention for the 1999 shut down of Interstate 70 in St. Louis for the lack of construction jobs for Black businesses and individuals. Read the article here.

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Bledsoe was also awarded a contract to renovate a single family home in Atlanta, Ga. that was used to house evacuees from New Orleans, La. following hurricane Katrina. Bledsoe also assisted in cleanup and property improvements in Houston, Tx. after hurricane Harvey and in Florida after hurricane Irma.

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The entire team of Bledsoe International thank the many customers, employees, contractors, suppliers, friends and family members that have assisted us toward making 50.