Michigan Chronicle
May 12, 2025
Ebony JJ Curry
Detroit has always known what it means to build. From laborers on the line to masons laying brick in the bitter cold, Black hands have shaped the foundation of this city. But when it came time to lead the development, own the contracts, and control the future? Too often, we were left standing on the outside looking in.
That’s what makes the launch of Invictus Builders LLC more than another business opening. It’s a line in the sand. Two longtime Detroit-area construction executives, Matt Evans and Kent Jackson, have stepped forward—not as subcontractors or support—but as founders. As owners. As the decision-makers.
The firm, headquartered in Detroit’s Central Business District, is not here to blend in. Its name, Invictus, means unconquered. And for Evans and Jackson, this firm is more than a business—it’s a statement about legacy, power, and responsibility in a city that has seen enough broken promises in the name of “development.”
Evans, now serving as CEO of Invictus Builders, brings years of executive leadership and a deep history of community development. He’s not new to this. He’s led programs inside Detroit schools, training students to design and install solar panels—real skills, real access. Jackson, a Detroit native with three decades of construction management experience, now serves as COO. He’s managed projects in education, healthcare, industrial, and commercial sectors. He’s not stepping into new terrain—he’s claiming what’s already been built through years of mastery.
Together, they formed Invictus to shift the culture of development in Detroit and across the Midwest.
“Our team’s experienced construction professionals and community leaders bring a wealth of knowledge and creativity in construction management, and business and community development,” said Jackson. “We are here to foster opportunities for young people—a place where a young professional can come and grow fast in the business.”
That vision isn’t being executed alone. Evans and Jackson have assembled a board that reflects strength, reach, and strategy. Dennis Archer Jr., founder and chairman of sixteen42 ventures, leads the board. Archer’s name is synonymous with Detroit innovation—his leadership brings both business insight and cultural integrity.
“Invictus was formed from a vision to create opportunities and strengthen communities while fostering a culture of excellence in performance, innovation and inclusivity,” said Archer. “With unparalleled expertise, the team takes pride in the commitment to building sustainable spaces that empower our team, clients and community.”
Joining him is Mike VanGessel, a foundational figure in West Michigan development. After 38 years with Rockford Construction, VanGessel stepped away to launch VanGessel Investments and now serves on the Invictus board.
“After being an integral part in shaping downtown Grand Rapids from where it was over 20 years ago to where it is today, I’m excited to bring proven solution-driven strategies and framework to Invictus and the clients and communities we serve,” said VanGessel.
The board is further strengthened by Eric A. Reeves, founder of Prospect Park LLC in Chicago, and Rachel Scott, managing member of SPARC Investments in Cleveland. This isn’t a ceremonial board—it’s a powerhouse of leadership across the Midwest, bringing decades of investment and construction experience into one room.
And the projects are already moving. Invictus is managing work for Wayne County Community College and Parkstone Development Partners in Detroit. Their current portfolio also includes developments at Back Nine in Clarkston and 1515 Madison in Grand Rapids. These aren’t symbolic wins. These are proof points. Invictus is active, competitive, and fully capable.
Evans, who leads strategy and client development, understands the timing.
“With the tremendous excitement and energy happening in Metropolitan Detroit, we feel that Invictus is uniquely situated to build opportunities for not only southeastern Michigan, but in communities throughout the state and the Midwest,” said Evans. “We’re excited to bring two high-level leaders from both sides of the state—Dennis Archer Jr. from the eastside and Mike VanGessel from the westside—to push our vision forward and approach each project with expertise and integrity.”
This pairing is intentional. Detroit and Grand Rapids have often moved on separate tracks when it comes to development. By bridging these regional leaders, Invictus positions itself to reshape the construction narrative across the state.
Still, location matters. Invictus is based in the heart of Detroit. That decision anchors the firm in the city’s current and future transformation. The company offers construction management, general contracting, consulting, and pre-construction estimating services. But what separates Invictus is not just what they offer—it’s how they operate.
The company is grounded in a principle that has been missing from too many past projects: the belief that development must empower the people closest to it. That belief shows up not just in hiring, but in mentoring, in leadership cultivation, and in how Invictus sees itself as part of Detroit’s ecosystem—not above it.
Detroit has been a testing ground for top-down development for decades. Tax incentives, private deals, flashy renderings—none of it means much if the people who live here don’t benefit. Invictus is making a different bet: that integrity, experience, and inclusion can coexist in the same hard hat.
That bet is getting attention. Kevin Johnson, president and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, affirmed what many are feeling.
“We’re excited to welcome Invictus Builders to Detroit’s business community,” said Johnson. “Minority-owned businesses are important to creating an inclusive economy that benefits all Detroiters. Matt Evans and Kent Jackson bring vision and commitment to our neighborhoods. Their impressive leadership team will make a real difference in Detroit’s growth.”
That growth must look different than what we’ve seen. Ownership matters. Decision-making matters. And young Black professionals in Detroit deserve to see what it looks like when Black leadership shapes a company from top to bottom—without compromise.
Invictus is not interested in waiting to be asked to the table. They’re building the table, placing chairs for others, and making sure the work uplifts the communities where it happens. Their story is not about a single project—it’s about a larger commitment to flipping the structure that has excluded too many for too long.
There is no shortage of talent in Detroit. What’s been missing is the infrastructure to lead from within. Invictus Builders is filling that gap—and setting a standard that says Detroit’s future will be built by those who know its past, understand its people, and are accountable to both.
This firm is not a feel-good story. It’s a necessary one. Detroit can no longer afford to have outsiders lead development while residents watch from the sidelines. Invictus is proving that when experience meets purpose, real change follows.