Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of the commercial redevelopment of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Terminal 8 (T8) and one local minority, woman-owned company is ensuring those goals are met.
Francilia Wilkins Rahim, CEO of R.F. Wilkins Consultants, and her team are supporting inclusive project participation for the Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports-led commercial development team for T8.
URW will develop and manage the reimagined customer experience, including major commercial upgrades throughout the terminal to create a NYC-inspired destination with 60+ exciting new offerings.
This next phase of the T8 redevelopment continues to be delivered in lockstep with the Queens community, with significant opportunities to participate across construction, concessions employment, and terminal concessions. The project is expected to double the current permanent concessions jobs, and URW is working with Rahim and her team along with members of the community to fill the pipeline of available jobs with local residents.
“The redevelopment of Terminal 8 is full of opportunities for community members to get a quality, good-paying job or new busines contract,” Rahim said. “Not only are there double the current permanent concessions jobs available but local businesses, whether construction or concessions, have a chance to work with the team. It is an exhilarating time to be involved with the transformation of JFK Airport.”
The Jamaica, Queens-based consulting firm works with clients in a variety of sectors including non-profits, construction and development, project management and MWBE and inclusionary initiatives. Rahim and her team currently act as compliance contractors responsible for ensuring minority and local inclusion across the $20 billion JFK Airport Redevelopment Project.
“We are committed to growing and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion and are committed to exceeding those goals for this project,” said Lynden Scott, URW General Manager, JFK T8. “We are excited to work with Francilia and her team as we know they will not only make sure we are meeting our goals but will bring fresh, new ideas of how we can work with the community.”
Through their work, R.F. Wilkins has aided in the development of numerous city-wide diversity and inclusion initiatives and continues to advocate for equal opportunity for minority real estate developers, contractors, and small businesses. In partnership with the New York Real Estate Chamber and New York City’s Economic Development Corporation, Rahim worked to develop the City’s Emerging Developer Loan Fund. She also helped develop Google’s NYC Google Digital Coaches program in an effort to create access for minority and women small businesses throughout the city.
Additionally, Rahim serves on various boards including Greater Allen Development Corporation, Allen Community Non-Profit Programs, St. John’s University’s Tobin College of Business, and New York State’s Housing and Community Renewal’s Multifamily Advisory Council. She also serves as Vice Chair for Brooklyn’s Pitkin Avenue Business Improvement District. In 2020 she was appointed as a member of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s COVID Advisory Council for Real Estate and Infrastructure as well as NYC’s Department of Education MWBE Advisory Committee. Formerly, she served as Director of Economic Development for the National Black MBA Association-New York Metro Chapter, Chair of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.’s Regional Economic Development Committee, Assistant Treasurer for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Queens Alumnae Chapter and the Vice Chair for I Am Acceptance, Inc. – a mental health non-profit.
Rahim holds both a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance as well as a Masters of Business Administration in Marketing from St. John’s University. She has more than 13 years of multi-industry experience in strategizing, integrated marketing, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, project management, and diversity and inclusion consulting.
