Black-owned businesses featured at Spend in the Black event at 75th and King in effort to create Black Wall Street Chicago
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — There is a push on Saturday to transform 75th Street into a “Black Wall Street.”

Spend in the Black is a national movement, simply encouraging people to shop at Black-owned businesses over Easter weekend.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Ald. William Hall, who represents the 6th Ward, and Dr. Charlie Dates, the pastor of Progressive and Salem Baptist churches, are leading the movement locally.

“We can literally see a half a million to $1 million spent between three blocks. These are some of the best businesses in the city of Chicago. We just want people to know about the secret on 75th Street,” Hall said.

The two say so many businesses wanted to participate that they had to build a waitlist.

“This is about resurrecting the Black dollar. So rather than being in the red, we are spending in the Black,” Dates said.

More than 100 businesses are set up on Saturday at 75th and King Drive, showcasing their goods and services. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We need to understand that when we begin to invest in Black-owned businesses, we begin to build generational wealth for our community,” said City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin.

From Italian Ice and coffee to homemade bracelets and beauty products, there is something for everyone in this rich and vibrant small business community.

“It’s a blessing, an honor. We are grateful to be a part of this, so we are bringing it back to our community,” said Stefanie Moore with Mams Bracelets.

This is also all part of a growing movement led by faith leaders who are using their platforms to push back against corporate retreats from diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

“What we do on 75th will have an impact on what happens on 79th. What happens on King Drive has an impact on what happens on Madison,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson.

In fact, that is what Dates is doing: encouraging his congregation to shop at Black-owned businesses and not major retailers.

Jurema Gorham owns Burst Into Books, the only bookstore in the Roseland community, she says.

Gorham says Spend in the Black is about building community.

“For me, it’s more than sales. I want to meet other vendors, the families that come out and just continue this beyond today,” Gorham said.

Shoppers are also eligible to win $1,000 every hour on Saturday. That money is put into an emergency savings account.

All are welcome to attend the Spend in the Black event.

More details can be found here: https://www.progressivechicago.org/events/spend-in-the-black

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Donald Trump calls Mark Milley 'idiot' for leaving military equipment in Afghanistan

Donald Trump Criticizes Mark Milley, Labels Him ‘Fool’ for Abandoning Military Gear in Afghanistan

President Donald Trump revealed that he and Gen. Mark Milley, the former…
Suspect arrested after alleged mid-flight bomb threat caused emergency landing

Passenger Arrested for Alleged Mid-Flight Bomb Threat Leading to Emergency Landing

A man was arrested over the weekend after allegedly issuing a bomb…
Christian Horner fired by Red Bull after 20 years running the F1 team

Christian Horner Dismissed from Red Bull after Two Decades Leading F1 Team

Horner, once a driver with his career peaking just below Formula 1,…
Deadlocked jurors in prep school lacrosse player's killing a challenge for prosecutors: expert

Experts say prosecutors face challenges as jury struggles to reach a verdict in prep school lacrosse player’s murder case.

A jury has reached a deadlock in the murder trial involving a…
Netanyahu says he nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. From there, it's a secretive process

Netanyahu Reveals He Nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize; Here’s What Happens Next

U.S. President Donald Trump has been nominated again for the Nobel Peace…
'Percy Jackson' season 2 and Marvel's 'Wonder Man' previewed in new Disney+ and Hulu Teaser

Disney+ and Hulu Tease ‘Percy Jackson’ Season 2 and Marvel’s ‘Wonder Man’

Disney+ unveils teaser featuring “Only Murders in the Building” Season 5, new…
UK court convicts 3 men over arson attack authorities say was organized by Russian intelligence

UK Court Finds 3 Men Guilty of Arson Attack Allegedly Coordinated by Russian Intelligence

A British jury on Tuesday convicted three men of arson in an…
Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman leaves hospital following attack

Minnesota Senator John Hoffman Discharged from Hospital After Assault

John Hoffman’s family issued a statement Monday night, saying the senator was…
Smoke from a massive wildfire obscuring a city.

Marseille on High Alert: Wildfires Close Airport Again and Over 100 Injured During Looting

FIREFIGHTERS continue to battle with the wildfire in Marseille with over 100…
Helicopter dropping water on a wildfire.

Massive Fires Shut Down Marseille Airport With Large-Scale Evacuations Amidst Thick Smoke in France

“APOCALYPTIC” blazes have forced Marseilles International Airport to shut down as France…
Expert warns Idaho murderer's plea deal strategy is a dangerous calculated 'long game'

Idaho murderer’s plea deal tactic is a risky calculated ‘long game,’ expert cautions

<!–> Dr. Kris Mohandie on Kohberger plea deal After Idaho student murders…
Professed shooter in Jared Bridegan murder case gets new attorney

Alleged Gunman in Jared Bridegan Case Appoints New Lawyer

In 2023, Tenon admitted to being the gunman in Bridegan’s murder. The…