When Imran Niazi arrived in the United States from Pakistan at the age of 21, he carried little more than determination and a vision for a better future. As a first-generation Pakistani American, he began his journey working a variety of odd jobs — learning new skills, adapting to a new culture, and embracing the challenges of starting over in a new country. Those early experiences instilled in him a deep sense of resilience, humility, and purpose that would later define his entrepreneurial path.
Today, Imran is the founder and owner of Blackwater Construction Group LLC, a minority-owned, design-build construction firm based in Gwinnett County. For more than 15 years, Blackwater has specialized in building gas stations and convenience stores for leading brands such as BP, Exxon, Chevron, Shell, and Circle-K. Under his leadership, the company has earned a reputation for quality, integrity, and community commitment, prioritizing local hiring and American-made products to strengthen Georgia’s economy and workforce.
“When I came to America at 21, I didn’t have much; just hope, faith, and a willingness to work hard. I started from the bottom up, doing whatever jobs I could to support myself and my family,” shared Imran. “So, Blackwater Construction isn’t just my business; it’s part of my family’s story, a reflection of the sacrifices and blessings that brought us here and I’m proud to build projects and opportunities for others to grow.”
Although he takes great pride in what he has built, Imran’s greatest accomplishment remains his family. His son, an Emory University graduate, and his daughter, a Columbia University graduate in New York City, have each forged successful careers of their own.
“As a first-generation immigrant, I started with nothing and built something meaningful,” Imran reflects. “Now my children are taking it to the next level in their own way. I may not have the same energy I once did, but I take comfort knowing the foundations that I built opened doors for them and that’s what true success means to me.”
Beyond business, Imran has become a respected civic leader and advocate for the community that helped shape his success. He’s served as a Gwinnett County Planning Commissioner, is a graduate of the Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2024, a recipient of the Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Gwinnett Chamber.
