Christopher Wiles

My name is Christopher Wiles. I first met Ashqar Zaab (Ash) in the summer of 2012 working for Brock at Dow Chemical in Plaquemine, La. He was my foreman back then. He and I realized that we were both veterans. We bonded over this and continued to stay in touch throughout the years, even though I left Brock in early 2013. Fast forward ten years to 2023, I reached out to Ash for some advice on potential career paths that he thought I could perform with a back injury I had received about five years prior. I could no longer stay in my career as a commercial truck driver as the pain was getting harder to deal with. He mentioned that he believed that I would be a good fit in the world of safety and helped me get the information necessary to start down, what would later be a very rewarding path. In March of 2023, I enrolled in Baton Rouge Community College’s Construction Site Safety Training Course and completed it in about 5-6 weeks. I began working in the plants again in April of 2023. By August 2023, I was given my first chance in a safety role on the project to rebuild a unit in Dow Chemical that was the site of an explosion. After some months I decided I enjoyed this role and wanted to further my education even more. I reached back to Ash again for more advice. As I suspected, he came through clutch again and set me on the path to a bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health at Columbia Southern University. While working on my degree, I worked on that project, turnarounds and maintenance as a safety specialist. I received my associate’s degree in occupational safety and health in October of 2025 and expect to receive my bachelor's degree in October of 2026. In Feb 2026, I was offered, and accepted, my first site safety manager role.

Manuel Miranda

 My name is Manuel Miranda and I have been working as a contractor at Dow Chemical in Plaquemine, La since 2015. When I met Ashqar Zaab (Ash) I was a QC (quality control) inspector for Brand Scaffolding. He spoke to me about going to school and guided me through the process by introducing me to a sponsor for my classes at  the ABC school in Baton Rouge. I told Ashqar that I wanted to become a crane operator and he arranged for me to begin school in the fall semester 2015. I graduated from the Mobile Crane operator course in June 2016. In the following summer of 2017 after a reference from Ashqar, I was hired as a rigger and plan to continue my education by taking welding classes at the ABC school in Baton Rouge. Without Ashqar and People Building Communities I would have never pursued my goals of education and better employment opportunities.

Arianne AJ Johnson

Hi! My name is Arianne AJ Johnson. I am 34 years old. Born and raised in New Orleans. I have been a cdl driver for over 13 years but always wanted to learn more and do more with my life. I experienced a minor setback and was incarcerated for two years. In that time I felt I had no options as far as future employment. Then there was People Building Communities. I was introduced to Ashqar Zaab (Ash) and People Building Communities through a mutual friend. I explained to Ash my situation and he assured me that he could help. Since becoming a PBC client I have attained my Twic card, currently in my 3rd semester at the Associated Builders and Contractors school Baton Rouge campus, and recently began working in the electrical field at the Shell Geismar chemical plant. I am set to graduate in June of 2019 with my certification in Instrumentation. Thanks to PBC I now am on the road to exploring other certifications and ways to better myself, my family, and my community. 

Chaazaq Zaab McIntosh

My name is Chaazaq Zaab McIntosh and I am a client of People Building Communities. I began attending ABC Trade school at the age of 16 in January 2015. After graduating from the Industrial Electrician and Instrumentation courses, I successfully passed the NCCER certification(s) for both trades. Also, through job referrals from my People Building Communities mentors, I was able to begin work in the Petrochemical Industry September 19th 2016 while still enrolled in the ABC Trade school. After almost 2 years, I am still working in the Industrial Sector on various projects. I have been involved in several community based projects sponsored by the organization, such as an annual fundraiser held for the Innocence Project New Orleans, and relief efforts for the Louisiana 2016 flood. The organization has been a great resource for furthering my education/career, and I am truly grateful for the opportunities they have provided for me. 

Mohammed Diokhane

My name is Mohammed Diokhane and I am a client of the non-profit organization People Building Communities. I was released from prison on Oct 31 2016 and immediately began to seek positive inspiration and employment because I’d received several welding certifications during my incarceration. After no luck for four months, I took a laborers position hauling steel by hand out of necessity. I joined the organization back in early January 2017 and have been a regular at meetings, functions, and volunteer events since then. I was honored to be given the opportunity by PBC to compose and perform a song titled ‘Mass Incarceration’ at our annual fundraiser benefiting the Innocence Project New Orleans in 2017 and 2018 to spread awareness about the high incarceration and recidivism rates in our community. The direction and motivation that I received from my mentors at People Building Communities moved me to pursue my passions that I’d given up on, so I enrolled and completed Limitless Vistas, Inc. workforce training program after being recommended it by a PBC member. In addition, after applying for my TWIC card(Transportation Worker Identification Credential) and being denied 8 times because of the criminal offense on my record, it took a year of diligent effort, counseling and character reference letters from PBC board members but I finally have been granted my TWIC allowing me access to secured sites and facilities. I am now certified in: 

Welding (NCCER) 

40-Hour Initial HAZWOPER Training 

Water Quality Sampling & Testing 

Costal Ecology & Restoration 

Introduction to Water & Waste Water 

CPR/AED/First Aid 

Today I am proud to say that I am a full time combination welder at the Shintech chemical plant in Plaquemine, La making a great salary and attending school to attain additional welding certifications at The Associated Builders and Contractors Baton Rouge campus. People Building Communities has been everything to me.