In a significant engagement with local entrepreneurs, Mayor Brandon Johnson held a ‘State of Black Business’ address at 317 N. Clark Street on June 23, as part of his ongoing Lakeside Chats.
The event, organized by the Business Leadership Council (BLC) in partnership with the Chicago Urban League, was designed to reaffirm Johnson’s commitment to ensuring that African American small business owners are not left behind in the city’s economic landscape.
During the late-night panel discussion, Johnson highlighted numerous initiatives his administration has undertaken to foster human and economic investments within the Black community.
He affirmed a commitment to the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, crucial elements that have historically been overlooked in the support of Black businesses.
Keiana Barrett, CEO of the Business Leadership Council, facilitated the panel, which included prominent figures such as Ciere Boatright, the Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development; Sharla Roberts, Chief Procurement Officer; and Lotika Pai, Chief Small Business Officer.
The panelists provided valuable insights into city portals and services available to assist Black entrepreneurs in establishing and expanding their businesses.
Central to the discussion was Mayor Johnson’s vow to streamline the city’s bureaucratic processes, making them more business-friendly by reducing red tape that often delays the acquisition of permits and licenses.
His administration is committed to cutting wait times for routine business approvals, a move aimed at alleviating the challenges that have historically hampered small business growth.
The conversation also included details about special funding opportunities for housing development, citing a substantial $135 million investment in projects at both O’Hare and Midway Airports.
Johnson, along with city officials, emphasized collaboration with local community organizations like the Chicago Urban League and the Chatham Business Association, which play pivotal roles in training small business owners to scale and compete effectively.
The mayor reiterated his unabashed support for investing in Black businesses, recognizing their vital role within the Black community, particularly in creating jobs and fostering philanthropy.
In response to a query about the inclusion of Black newspaper publishers in their policy discussions, Barrett assured attendees that the BLC aims to be inclusive in its partnerships with the Black media.
She acknowledged the ongoing issues of Black media not receiving equitable advertising revenues and emphasized that this concern will be integrated into the BLC’s policy framework during future discussions.
Barrett invited Black publishers to communicate their needs and concerns directly to her via email, demonstrating a commitment to transparency and collaboration in addressing the challenges faced by Black media.
In his remarks, Mayor Johnson spoke extensively about his administration’s efforts to simplify licensing and permitting processes for Black entrepreneurs, and emphasized a collaborative dialogue to ensure equity in accessing city programs.
“This is neither the first nor the last time we will have this conversation about collaboration,” Barrett stated, underscoring the importance of ongoing dialogue.
Freeman-Wilson, President/CEO of the Chicago Urban League, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaborative initiatives among Black business organizations, emphasizing the importance of tangible outcomes for the business community.
Mayor Johnson also took the opportunity to outline his broader agenda focused on investing in people and fostering a safer, stronger Chicago by 2025.
Citing a reduction in homicides and shootings in 2024, he pointed out that these figures represent the lowest rates since 2019, thanks in part to the strategic deployment of a Chicago Police Department Robbery Task Force launched in May of that year.
This task force successfully led to a significant decline in robbery rates by 25 percent.
Johnson touted the promotion of 200 detectives tasked with solving crimes, resulting in the highest homicide clearance rate seen since 2015.
Significant investments have also been made in community-led violence prevention programs aimed at supporting victims and enhancing safety in neighborhoods.
Since taking office in 2023, Johnson has championed the construction of over 1,459 affordable housing units, with an additional 1,948 units currently under development.
Further, he announced a new $2 million rental assistance program set to debut this year, aimed at helping Chicago residents manage rent during financial emergencies.
Additionally, transitioning from the New Arrivals Mission, Johnson introduced the One System Initiative, designed to provide 24/7 shelter access for unhoused Chicagoans, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations in the city.
image source from：chicagocrusader
