Spend in the Black returning to Chicago’s South Side with push to boost Black-owned businesses, event generated over $1M last year

CHICAGO (WLS) — Spend in the Black is a local and nationwide initiative to strengthen Black communities.

A push to give Black-owned businesses a major boost is happening on the South Side on Saturday.

It’s called Spend in the Black. It was started last year after the rollback of DEI funding. The goal is simple: to revitalize Black businesses and bring the community together.

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Back in the day, 75th Street used to be bustling with businesses and people ready to spend their money. Things have changed, and not as many folks go there to shop.

But Saturday is expected to be different. Organizers are encouraging people to come out and spend money with Black-owned businesses.

The owner of Flowers First By Erskine, W. Erskine Quicksey, has been in business for three decades.

He’s excited to see new faces, and hopefully score new customers at this year’s Spend in the Black event.

“It will open folks eyes to what’s on the strip already,” Quicksey said. “Last year, I remember persons who lived around the corner, and did not know we were here. I said, I’ve been here 34 years!”

It’s that kind of awareness that motivated Reverend Dr. Charlie Dates, pastor of Progressive Baptist Church & Salem Baptist Church, to bring back the event for a second year.

“If we can encourage people to spend their money with Black owned businesses and entrepreneurs, we can lift our community with that kind of healthy habit,” Rev. Dates said.

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Just like last year, Progressive Baptist Church and Salem Baptist Church will be filling the 75th Street corridor with dozens of different businesses. They’re expecting hundreds of people to spend their money with Black-owned vendors and existing shops along the strip.

Spend in the Black is in partnership with Alderman William Hall and the 6th Ward, who says this year’s event will surpass expectations.

“You’re going to see people stay,” Ald. Hall said. “From last year to this year, we have a new business that’s going to be on 75th street. That one year it was a tent, this year, it’s going to be a building.”

Another success story from last year was at Brown Sugar Bakery, where the owner saw her biggest day of sales ever thanks to Spend in the Black.

“We can put money in the hands of our own sisters and in the hands of our own people just like we’re doing with Ms. Stephanie at Brown Sugar Bakery,” Rev. Dates said. “The truth is, your money is your voice. And your voice ought to speak to your values. We are encouraging people this Easter weekend to put their voice where your values are.”

Spend in the Black is featuring more than 100 businesses along 75th. It’s from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Ald. Hall and Rev. Dr. Dates also joined ABC7 last week to discuss Chicago’s effort.