A black woman in the construction business. © bevangoldswain - Fotolia.com

From Madame Noire Business: As the founder and CEO of Dallas-based Warrior Group, Gail Warrior spearheads construction projects in 30 states. Founded in 1997, the company is the largest general contractor construction firm owned by a minority woman in the US. And, it’s at the forefront of advancements in the industry, like Permanent Modular Construction (PMC), a method to build quality, sustainable buildings in less time. Committed to serving the community, Gail founded and serves as board chair of the Heart of a Warrior Foundation, which provides educational enrichment programs for underserved children. To mentor other entrepreneurs in the construction industry, Gail hosts the annual Warrior Small Business Academy.

Madame Noire: Is it true that you planned to open a Russian accounting firm after you graduated from college? What caused the shift from accounting to construction?

Gail Warrior: I did study Russian in high school and then for two years in college with the plan of visiting Russia after I completed my undergrad degree. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to do that. At one time, I did speak Russian fluently and I can still read it a little, but I don’t know it nearly as well as I used to. My degree from Clark Atlanta University was in accounting because I have always been interested in business and entrepreneurship. 

MN: Are you the first person in your family to manage a business? 

GW: My inspiration for starting a business was my father. He was a successful entrepreneur and businessman who was one of the first African-American independent insurance agents in Dallas. I grew up watching him work strategically and grow the Warrior Insurance Agency. After working for a big corporation for eight years after college I knew I couldn’t stay in that world for my entire career. So I was ready to go out on my own and build a business.

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