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Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc

Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc is a city-wide multi county trade organization.

The primary role of the Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce is to enhance our members' success through aggressive programs in advocacy, member benefits and services, and actionable information. The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization promoting business in the Chicago metropolitan area. The Chicagoland Black Chamber is headed by Arness Dancy, its President and CEO,

who is a recognizable figure in the Chicagoland business community. Arness has been an outspoken economic advocate for black business growth, job creation, entrepreneurship, and civic activity in Chicago and collar counties throughout Illinois. MISSION

¨ To provide opportunities for business owners and professionals to network and develop an awareness of businesses and services within the community.

¨ To develop programs which foster business growth and development.

¨ To educate members regarding economic development opportunities.

¨ To create an economic power base for businesses to affect positive social, economic, and political change.

¨ To develop an accessible base of information and expertise for members’ use.

¨ To maintain an organizational structure and financial resources to achieve and sustain the vision.

Operating as usual

02/26/2022

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce celebrates Black History Month with our black economic agenda:

The CBCC agenda "Sector Development - Black Business Districts - Community Benefits Initiatives"

Englewood Sector Development - Sector Development - Black Business Districts.

Coming Soon - Englewood Halsted Street Project Phase 1 - 59 units townhomes and apartments and 20,000 sq ft retail/commercial space. $20.9 million. Entire project $70 million 240 Units townhomes/apartments and 20,000 square feet retail/commerce space. Total project will take 3 years.

Englewood Renaissance 1 - 260 units of for sale housing including single and multi family. Investment property, Airbnb, cooperatives and rentals within 1.2 miles of the Englewood Halsted Street Project. Estimated $50 million. 5 years

Englewood Renaissance 2 - 150 - 250 units of renovated properties. Rent to own program. Estimated $30 million. 5 years
Englewood Renaissance 3 - Commercial and mixed use developments along 63rd Street. Halsted to Ashland. Estimated $15 million. 5 years.

All projects are in opportunity zones.

We have been working with Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Development Samir Mayekar and Deputy Commissioner of Housing Brian Esenberg.

Arness Dancy - Founder/Pres/CEO
Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc

Chenise Offord - Chairperson
Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce Inc.

01/20/2022

January 19, 2022

Greetings Honorable Chicago City Council Black Caucus Members:

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce enthusiastically supports the Rivers McCormick East Casino proposal for the following reasons:

• Location, Location, Location (The eastside of Lakeshore Drive is the ideal location and would bring additional value added development to the South Loop and the Chicagoland region). Generating contracts, jobs and a tax base.
• The $500 million renovation of an underutilized asset would be a huge economic shot in the arm for Chicago taxpayers and residents. McCormick Place plus the Arie Crown Theatre would be renovated.
• The Rivers McCormick East Casino would take 12 months to build. Whereas new construction will take 2-3 years to build. Cost of new construction is higher and will lower the return on investment (ROI) for taxpayers.
• The Rivers McCormick East Casino would start generating revenue in 12 months.
• Revenues generated from the casino could be used to help pay down the City of Chicago massive pension obligations. In addition revenue could be used for economic development, public safety and social programs.
• A majority of the construction team will be minority. 51% of the construction team will be minority.
• 25% of the ownership team will be minority.

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc strongly encourages the City Council Black Caucus to support the Rivers McCormick East Casino proposal. If you have any questions feel free in contacting us at (708)964.9761.

Best Regards,
Arness Dancy Chenise Offord
Arness Dancy, Founder/Pres/CEO Chenise Offord-Chairperson
Co-Chair Housing Committee
Co-Chair Real Estate and Economic Development Committee
Co-Chair Public Policy Committee

cc: Honorable Alderman Pat Dowell (3rd Ward)
Honorable Alderman Sophia King (4th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Leslie Hairston (5th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Roderick Sawyer (6th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Gregory Mitchell (7th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Michelle Harris (8th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Anthony Beale (9th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman (16th Ward)
Honorable Alderman David Moore (17th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Derrick Curtis (18th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Jeanette B. Taylor (20th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Howard Brookins (21st Ward)
Honorable Alderman Michael Scott Jr (24th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Walter Burnett Jr (27th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Jason Ervin (28th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Chris Taliaferro (29th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Carrie Austin (34th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Emma Mitts (37th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Matt Martin (47th Ward)
Honorable Alderman Maria Hadden (49th Ward)

09/28/2021

Special Congrats to our Pres-CEO and lifelong Englewood resident Arness Dancy on being 1 of 25 nationwide recipients of an opportunity zone scholarship awarded by the national Opportunity Zones workgroups.

It is an honor to collaborate nationwide with Developers, General Contractors, Investors, Lawyers and Accountants as we work on best practices in Opportunity Zones Development.

We look forward in continue to bring investment to communities around the Chicagoland market place.

09/25/2021

Wishing the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce happy

Rolling Grants- Apply Today!
09/13/2021
Rolling Grants- Apply Today!

Rolling Grants- Apply Today!

As part of Governor JB Pritzker’s overall economic recovery strategy, the $250 million Back to Business (B2B) grant program aims to deploy small businesses recovery grants for those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. The B2B grant program builds on the success of last year's Business Interrup...

08/01/2021

The CBCC would like to extend its sincerest condolences to Harry C. Alford and the National Black Chamber of Commerce on the passing of its Co-Founder Kay Debow (Alford). Kay was an extraordinary woman and business executive. I had the opportunity to meet Harry and Kay back in 1999 when I attended the NBCC Convention in New Orleans. It was the best move of my life as the NBCC welcomed us with open arms. The NBCC taught us how to use economic public policy to fight for economic opportunity such as Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights of 1964, Section 3 of the HUD Act, New Market Tax Credit Program. We were told go back to your cities and town and fight. We did just that for the last 20 years.

The NBCC accepted us when we couldn't get support here in Chicago for our black economic agenda.

Job well done Kay u will be missed.

Arness Dancy, Pres/CEO
Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc and the CBCC Board

The Chicagoland Black Chamber worked 6 years along side KBK Enterprises to bring the largest black owned development in ...
05/19/2021
Chicago advances plan for Englewood housing

The Chicagoland Black Chamber worked 6 years along side KBK Enterprises to bring the largest black owned development in Englewood's history. Pic: Phase 1 of the Englewood Halsted Street Project. Entire project 3 phases 240 units 20,000 sq. ft. of commercial space $70 million. Groundbreaking coming soon.

Special congrats to former 16th Ward Alderman Toni Foulkes for supporting this project from 2015-2019 (90%) and Current 16th Ward Alderman Stephanie Coleman 2019-2021. (10%)

The 56 units, most at subsidized rents, would go up next to another city-approved project for a commercial kitchen and event space.

12/23/2020

The CBCC would like to thank outgoing board member Cheryl Blackmond for her service. It is greatly appreciated.

06/19/2020

Last Thursday June 11 our organization was interviewed by CBS-NY for 30 minutes (phone interview) regarding the estimated 40% anticipated loss of black businesses since February 2020. We indicated that we were aware of that possibility after the horrendous murders of George Floyd and Breanna Taylor and the coronavirus outbreak.

The number of black businesses fell from 1.1 million to 660,000 with the service sectors taking the biggest hits. Black wealth will take a tremendous hit.

In addition to the grant money and low interest loans the black community must create community development credit unions that have the federal CDFI (community development financial institutions) designations. Major banks that don't loan to low to moderate income communities can donate/deposit funds in the CDCU/CDFI and receive Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credit.

CDCU/CDFI can make loans for mortgages/small businesses/cars etc.

We shared the CBCC multi billion multi state (Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee) black economic agenda along with our community benefits initiatives.

CBS-NY thanked us for the great info and would like to follow us for the next 2-3 years as we implement our Englewood Black Economic quality of life initiatives.

Arness Dancy - Pres/CEO
Chairman- Housing, Economic Development and Public Policy

Chenise Offord - Chairwoman
Chairwoman Event Planning

06/15/2020

Blessings continue as we work to implement our multi billion black economic agenda.

All 7 development partners will continue to work to bring major investments to the south and west sides of Chicago.

Each partner has completed 1 billion in their careers. We are starting to scout locations for major developments to spur investment, contracting and workforce opportunities.

CBCC Sector Development and Black Business Districts Initiative. We will be arranging meetings with city, county and state officials as we work to bring affordable and market rate housing, high rise development along with black owned strip malls.

More info to come.

Black Business Owners if your business has been impacted by the protests and want to be possibly interviewed by CBS-NY. ...
06/11/2020

Black Business Owners if your business has been impacted by the protests and want to be possibly interviewed by CBS-NY. please contact us immediately. Via messenger or email [email protected]

Arness Dancy
Founder/Pres-CEO

Chenise Offord
Chairwoman

06/02/2020

Black business owners if your business has been impacted by the protests and want to possibly be interviewed by the Washington Times inbox us.

There are a few seats still available. FREE event. Must register on Eventbrite.
03/11/2020

There are a few seats still available. FREE event. Must register on Eventbrite.

Please note Wednesday Feb 26th event has moved to a new date.

The Chicagoland Black Chamber will recognize the following award winners:Andrea NaTay Drane (Englewood)Attorney Richard ...
03/09/2020

The Chicagoland Black Chamber will recognize the following award winners:

Andrea NaTay Drane (Englewood)
Attorney Richard R. Boykin (Englewood)
Congressman Danny K. Davis
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx
Jory Luster (Luster Products)
Dr. Cheryl Whitaker

This is a FREE EVENT!!!!!! You must register.

Please note Wednesday Feb 26th event has moved to a new date.

Please note Wednesday Feb 26th event has moved to a new date.
02/25/2020

Please note Wednesday Feb 26th event has moved to a new date.

02/25/2020

Please note the Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce Black Excellence event has been rescheduled to Wednesday March 11th. Stay tuned for updates.

07/25/2019

Over the next several months the Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc will create a sister organization of black contractors.

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc would like to extend special congrats to Mr. Reneau  Pres/CEO of Margies ...
07/25/2019
www.margiesbrands.com | If it's not in the fruit, it's not margie's™

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc would like to extend special congrats to Mr. Reneau Pres/CEO of Margies Brands (www.margiesbrands.com) a 20 year old black firm that sells all types of healthy salad dressings and sauces. His products can be found in Jewel's and Mariano's.

Margie's Brands will manufacture its own products for the first time starting in Spring of 2020 at the latest. Mr. Reneau purchased a warehouse (8801 S. South Chicago Ave - 7th Ward) and will renovate it and create 25-30 full time light manufacturing jobs for our people.

Mr. Reneau is in the process of selecting a general contractor. Once that is done we will help identify potential sub contractors for the estimated $3 million project. The CBCC requests that our communities buy his products at Jewel's and Mariano's to support this long term black owned and operated businesses as we continue to bring economic opportunities to black communities. Special kudos to Mayor Lightfoot and Somercor 504 for providing TIF/SBIF funds for the project.

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce continues to implement its 5 year $5 Billion Black Economic Agenda "Sector Development and Black Business Districts Initiatives".

Best Regards,
Arness Dancy, Founder/Pres/CEO
Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc

Chenise Offord, Chairwoman
Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc

06/21/2019

Special Congrats to our Chairwoman Chenise Offord, Board Member and Construction Chair Melvin Sexton and our Senior Advisor Brenda Sexton for receiving their receivership certification.

We are so proud of our team.

06/08/2019

We competed for the 45 acre LeClaire Courts Development. Unfortunately we weren't chosen. Habitat and Cabrera partners were selected. We will continue to compete for large scale development.

06/04/2019

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc would like to take this opportunity to thank the 50-60 black owned businesses and professionals that attended the May 30th CBCC Monthly Networking Meeting.

Many of the attendees heard the CBCC 5 year $5 Billion Black Economic Agenda "Sector Development and Black Business Districts Initiatives" for the first time and were in shock at the progress that has been made in laying the groundwork for a comprehensive black economic agenda.

We shared updates on the Englewood Halsted Street Project $70 million. Englewood Renaissance 1- $30-$40 million and Englewood Renaissance 2 - $5+ million.

We shared 3 east side developments we are working on.

The CBCC shared federal laws that haven't been enforced in over 50 years that has cost black communities billions in economic opportunities and services.

The CBCC presented Legendary Black Business Owner Spencer Leak Sr. and his wife Donna Leak with our Black Excellence Award.

05/23/2019

To the Honorable Mayor Lori Lightfoot:

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc is looking forward to working with your administration as we bring our comprehensive black economic agenda to the south, east and west sides of Chicago.

Our 5 year $5 Billion "Sector Development and Black Business Districts Initiatives" has worked to build relationships with 5 Developers who has completed at least $1 Billion in development around the country.

We are in process of bringing large scale developments to black communities across the city, county and state to help deal with poverty, unemployment and crime.

Englewood (5-8 projects) $120 million
South Shore (3) $40-$50 million
Garfield Park (1) TBD

In addition we are competing on (2) large CHA projects as prime developers to help small businesses, contractors, public housing and low income workers.

Statewide the Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc is working to bring $750 million to $1 Billion to black communities.

Sincerely,

Arness Dancy
Founder, Pres-CEO

Chenise Offord
Chairwoman.

05/23/2019

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc is working with a black food manufacturer to bring a manufacturing plant to the southeast side of Chicago to help bring light manufacturing jobs to our people.

05/23/2019

The Chicagoland Black Chamber is working to bring large scale development to Garfield Park and 3 developments to the eastside of Chicago (7th and 10th Wards).

05/23/2019

The KBK Enterprises/Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce team bid as prime developer on Phase 3 of the Cabrini Green Redevelopment. It was put on hold a few years ago. A winner will be selected by years end. Wish us luck.

05/23/2019

Chicago Housing Authority
Event Number: 2481 Due Date: 9/5/2018 Due Time:
Project Description:

Department of Procurement and Contracts 60 E. Van Buren | Chicago, IL 60605 | www.thecha.org

PROPOSAL REGISTER
Development Opportunities: LeClaire Courts

VENDOR NAME
Sterling Bay/Eastlake
Cabrera Capital Partners, LLC.
KBK Enterprises/Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce
Preservation Of Affordable Housing

Everyone wish us luck as we compete at the highest levels.

05/21/2019

The Black Business Community is starting to bid as primes on CHA opportunities.

The KBK Enterprises/Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc team bid as a prime on the LeClaire Courts Redevelopment (near midway airport). Our competition is Sterling Bay/Eastlake JV- POAH (Preservation of affordable housing) and Cabrera Capital Partners.

The KBK Enterprises/Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce team bid as prime on Phase 3 of the Cabrini Green Redevelopment. A winner is expected to be selected by year's end.

No matter what happens we are competing to win.

05/21/2019

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc will host a community development and investment forum in Englewood in August 2019 at Kennedy King College. We will have updates on our 3 Englewood Developments (16th Ward) Englewood Halsted Street Project $70 million, Englewood Renaissance I - $30-$40 million and Englewood Renaissance II - $5+ million. Sponsors will be needed. Investors, Developers, Contractors will be invited.

05/21/2019

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc would like to take former 16th Ward Alderman Toni Foulkes on groundbreaking of Monteclaire Senior Building at 63rd and Peoria. We will recognize all your hard work over these last 4 years.

05/17/2019

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc would like to take this opportunity to extend special thanks to outgoing 16th Ward Toni Foulkes for all you have done for the 16th Ward and the Englewood Community as a whole. Over these last 4 years our combined efforts has led to $150 million in new black owned development breaking ground in the 16th Ward (Englewood) in 2019/2020.

Here is a list of black owned developments:

Englewood Halsted Street Project $70 million 240 units of market rate/low income/Project Based Section 8 apartments and townhomes and 20,000 sq feet retail/commercial space. (15-17 Black Owned Businesses)

Englewood Renaissance I - 260 units of for sale market rate/affordable/cooperatives/rentals around the Englewood Halsted Street Project (within 1.5 miles) $30-$40 million

Englewood Renaissance II - 3-5 strip malls within 1.5 miles of the Englewood Halsted Street Project (20-30 black owned businesses)

Ald Foulkes signed off 125 residential and 15 commercials city owned vacant lots for $1 each for Englewood Renaissance I and II for my joint ventures. We will purchase an additional 135 vacant lots around the Englewood Halsted Street Project.

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce is planning a minimum of 500 and a maximum of 1,000 units of housing and 35-47 black owned businesses with a comprehensive community benefits program for the local community.

We will plan a special potluck community celebration with Ald Foulkes in the very near future.

Black Media Alert - Share the Truth - Black Economic Explosion in Englewood.

05/06/2019

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc would like to extend special thanks to 16th Ward Alderman Toni Foulkes for continuing to support our black economic agenda for the 16th Ward and Englewood.

Englewood Halsted Street Project $70 million 240 units apartments and townhomes and 20,000 sq commercial/retail space. (Black Owned)

Englewood Renaissance 1 - 260 units of new infill for sale (market rate, affordable and cooperatives) and rentals. (Black owned) $30+ million

Englewood Renaissance 2 - Up to 5 strip malls along 63rd Street. (Black Owned). $5+ million.

Special kudos to Ald Foulkes for signing off on 125 residential and 15 commercial city owned vacant lots for Englewood Renaissance 1 and 2

04/30/2019

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce would like to take this opportunity to extend special thanks to 16th Ward Alderman Toni Foulkes for being the 1st Black Alderman to support our 5 year $5 Billion Black Economic Agenda"Sector Development and Black Business Districts Initiatives"

Englewood Halsted Street Project $70 Million Black Owned
Englewood Renaissance I and II - $25-$30 Million. Black Owned

Our legacies will be forever tied together for working these last 4 years to bring transformative investment and development to the 16th Ward and Englewood.

Everyone salute Englewood's Sheroe Ald Toni Foulkes.

04/07/2019

Great conference call with the developer of Huddle House restaurants. They would like to partner on east side and south suburban development.

Restaurants, mixed use mixed income developments including strip malls and market rate and affordable housing and light manufacturing.

CBCC will continue to push its 5 year $5 Billion Black Economic Agenda "Sector Development and Black Business Districts Initiative".

03/30/2019
Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc

Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc is continuing to push its 5 year $5 Billion "Sector Development and Black Business Districts Initiatives"

Targeted Communities: Englewood, Auburn-Gresham Woodlawn, South Shore. We will name a few other communities in the future.

Our goal is market rate and affordable housing, strip malls, light manufacturing etc.

It was April 10, 2014 when the CBCC first introduced our comprehensive black economic agenda in Springfield. Many people laughed and thought we were out of our minds.

5 years later even though we haven't had much support except for State Senator Mattie Hunter, the late great St. Rep Esther Golar and 16th Ward Alderman Toni Foulkes.

The CBCC is working to bring an estimated $500-$750 million in new development to black communities statewide over the next 5 years with 5 large development partners all have done over $1 Billion each.

The CBCC targeted Englewood with 3 projects with an estimated value of $90-$100 million.

Now Black Chicago we must support the CBCC fundraising efforts to continue our black economic agenda.

Arness Dancy, Founder/Pres/CEO
Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

03/28/2019
Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc

After the elections

The Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc is continuing to push its 5 year $5 Billion "Sector Development and Black Business Districts Initiatives"

Targeted Communities: Englewood, Auburn-Gresham Woodlawn, South Shore. We will name a few other communities in the future.

Our goal is market rate and affordable housing, strip malls, light manufacturing etc.

It was April 10, 2014 when the CBCC first introduced our comprehensive black economic agenda in Springfield. Many people laughed and thought we were out of our minds.

5 years later even though we haven't had much support except for State Senator Mattie Hunter, the late great St. Rep Esther Golar and 16th Ward Alderman Toni Foulkes.

The CBCC is working to bring an estimated $500-$750 million in new development to black communities statewide over the next 5 years with 5 large development partners all have done over $1 Billion each.

The CBCC targeted Englewood with 3 projects with an estimated value of $90-$100 million.

Now Black Chicago we must support the CBCC fundraising efforts to continue our black economic agenda.

Arness Dancy, Founder/Pres/CEO
Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Address

6201 S. Sangamon Street
Chicago, IL
60621

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Comments

Black Lives Matter! Stop the Homicides with the Englewood Battle of the Stars Talent Show! Auditions for Englewood Battle of the Stars Talent Show fundraiser have begun. Register Now: [email protected] 773-317-9549
Happy holidays Black Chamber of Commerce, I am KEVIN COACHMAN, born and raised in Inglewood, now live in Harvey Illinois, I am owner and director and founder of my nonprofit organization, CHESED homeless prevention and residential center Inc. Chicago/Harvey Illinois, I was interested in converting the overwhelming and the increasing numbers of homelessness throughout the Chicagoland area with my program I am seeking more information on how I can implement this program and get it started if interested please feel free to reply thank you
Want to support Sebastian's Village of Friends and eat delicious pizza? Click below....
The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity celebrates by highlighting a series of events and initiatives taking place throughout the month of August. Learn more ➡ https://bit.ly/3ln9mY7

Black Chamber of Commerce of Illinois Inc. Cook County Black Chamber of Commerce Chicagoland Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc World Business Chicago
“We are determined to be people. We are saying that we are God’s children. And if we are God’s children, we don’t have to live like we are forced to live. Now what does all this mean in this great period of history? It means that we’ve got to stay together. We’ve got to stay together and maintain unity.” —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., April 3, 1968.
LETTER TO THE NATION
On August 20, 1619 the first enslaved Africans arrived in the United States of America by ship and were unloaded in Jamestown, Virginia. There is a debate regarding the number of slaves on the ship that day, however, what cannot be disputed is that Africans and decedents of those enslaved Africans have been victims of racism and systemic oppression since that time. This period of exploitation represents more than 146,000 thousand days or 400 YEARS of subjugation. This cruelty, harassment, and persecution manifest itself in our daily lives from conception to the expulsion of our last breath. White privilege, which is enjoyed by most other Americans, has allowed the infliction of a myriad of punishments on African descendants simply because of the melanin of our skin.
There are historical moments in time that demand action, and the time is now for unity within the African-American Diaspora. On August 20, 2019 we should take to the streets by the millions to celebrate our accomplishments and speak out against injustice. Institutional racism is not only codified in our Constitution, but it is also embedded in the very fabric of our entire social system. It is deeply entrenched in the minds of every citizen and in the soul of the entire country.
As a country, we are aware, conscious, and complicit in the plight of African American people. However, the degree of racism on individuals can be seen daily on different levels. There are two factors present in each instance: (1) the lack of a moral compass of white America and (2) learned behavior.
For African Americans to say nothing or do nothing on August 20, 2019 dishonors our ancestors. However, our remembrance must begin with the Africans who were captured by those Europeans in central Africa. Forced to travel to the seaports, the long and treacherous journey was filled with r**e and murder by the captors. Those who did not escape the journey embarked at the doors-of-no-return at ports like Elmina and Ghana. Millions of Africans died during the Middle Passage and therefore it would be disgraceful of African Americans to forget about the millions of Africans who survived the Middle Passage and were enslaved from birth to the grave. It would be shameful to forget about those who were r**ed, lynched, and treated like animals; stripped of their humanity, dignity, and their culture. Once freed from physical enslavement, they were victimized during emancipation and placed into internment camps where they died by the thousands after the Civil War at places like Natchez, Mississippi (Devil’s Punchbowl).
How can we not honor those who have been forgotten in time and from our history books? They were leaders and freedom fighters who were murdered for slave rebellions and uprising in a never-ending pursuit of freedom. How can we not honor and mourn those who lost their lives in white riots that destroyed communities like Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921? How can we not honor the thousands of African Americans who died fighting in every war that this country has had, yet we continue to be treated as second class citizens on a daily basis?
How can we not give honor to those freed Africans who were businessmen and farmers who were lynched and their lands taken from them and their families members? How can we not remember those who have been victimized by government medical experimentation, the assassination of our leaders, and those who were denied the right to vote for generations? Gerrymandering of voting boundaries is used to reduce our voting power and political influence. Still today our children are subjected to separate and unequal school systems designed to undermine our economic opportunities. And let us not forget the school to prison pipeline along with the unfair practice of sentencing African Americans to longer prison terms for the same crimes. How can we not protest against the millions of acts of racism and discrimination of oppression that is the societal norm in our country?

It is my opinion that the civil war never truly ended for African American people. It was merely agreed that white people would stop killing each other and that descendants of enslaved Africans would continue to be persecuted daily in our society. Based on that, it is understandable why millions voted and elected our current president. The presidential votes showed that over 62 million Americans agree with the President’s racist views and they totally agree with his racist political agenda. These individuals live next door to African Americans; they are the bankers we must ask for loans, teachers we expect to educate our children, doctors we look to for medical care and judges we expect to treat us fairly in the judicial system. There are some of the professionals we look to as the gatekeepers of the American ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, in many cases, they are the gatekeepers of oppression!

The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) and the Corporation for Economic Development (CFED) conducted a study in which they examined the racial wealth-gap. This study predicates that the economic hardship for African American people is so bad that it will take another 228 years for us to achieve some level of economic equality with our white counterparts. The policies implemented by our current president will widen that gap, making that equality more elusive. How many more generations of African Americans need to suffer before we unite?

When it comes to oppression, minorities in the United States have a symbiotic relationship with white Americans. Therefore, we should ask all minorities to join with us on August 20, 2019 to celebrate our collective achievements and openly demonstrate against all forms of “isms” in our society. Every ethnic group over the past 400 years has been suppressed and oppressed by the white privileged, racist power structure and has struggled within this oppressive system.

Institutionalized racism is designed to undermine African American people and control their advancement in all segments of our society. We can no longer tolerate and allow it to oppress and destroy African American people for another 400 hundred years. We need individuals and organizations to help organize protest marches at every state capital and territory in the union. This is not impossible--it can be achieved through unity, leadership and organization.
Will you support this call for a National Day of Unity? If not for you, then I hope you will participate for our ancestors, our families, our friends, our children, and future generations!
Respectfully,
Lyle G. Russworm
All things are possible with our Creator, Faith and Unity! – “Our Ancestors are the true patriots and heroes!”
Dear CBCC: Given your vast contacts, you may be able to help.

I’d like to discuss a new development involving myself and my partner in search for AA’s with outstanding business ideas. For the right entrepreneur and idea, we want to help them launch and finance their start-up business in Chicago. We are seeking entrepreneurs that we can interview and select over the next 6 months. I wanted to see if you and your contacts would be receptive to learning more.

We want to attract applicants who have a very unique product or service but need financing, coaching and mentoring support to drive their business vision. Must be between ages of 25-40 years old with a determination to become their own boss. Our shark tank-like team is interested in finding applicants willing to compete and be selected as #1. The idea must be scale-able, marketable to a wide demographic target of customers, including the internet. The idea must have the potential to be profitable. The new business idea must have the capacity to hire black people in an African American neighborhood, and as many as possible short and long term.

Myself and my good friend, a wealthy investor, would like to reach people you may know to vet ideas and interest. At your convenience, please think about those you may know and pass the word-

Our goal is to help build wealth and opportunity for those with a passion to start and grow their own business. Look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you
Mell Monroe- Welcome Inn Manor- 312-493-2953
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir8iXAEIY6I This is A Poetic Tribute to Black Women Hope You Enjoy Book On Amazon
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Other Government Organizations in Chicago (show all)

U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command 2022 Chicago Public Library - Kelly Branch Center for Arabic Language and Culture - CALC Citizens For Pat Dowell Burton-Judson Council Board of Trustees (University of Chicago) Jessie W. (Ma) Houston Prison Outpost, Inc. Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago Chicago Fire Department Engine 29 Chicago Social Science and Civic Engagement U.S. Army Recruiting Chicago We Care Role Model Cook County (Illinois) IIT Army ROTC Illinois Tech ROTC