By Donnell Robinson / Staff Writer
As it happened last year, for “Spend in the Black” on 75th Street. It will happen again Saturday April 4, 2026. Last year on a Saturday morning April 19, hundreds gathered on 75th and King Drive to do more than just shop—they descended upon this historic 75th street movement. The Spend in the Black event, spearheaded by Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates and Ald. William Hall (6th), to surge consumers to spend their money with the viable Black businesses that already exist in the city for Bullseye: Spend in the Black.
The overall project to transform the city’s Black business corridors in the spirit of the Black Wall Street of Tulsa, OK., and even the once Chicago Black Wall Street of the Bronzeville community.
This initiative of the ‘Spend in the Black’ was part of a growing national movement among faith leaders who are using their platforms to protest corporate retreats from DEI commitments, and to redirect collective economic power into local communities.
To readdress the 75th Street Black Wall Street District, Black Wall Street Chicago (BWSC) met with Alder William Hall (6) and staff to determine the next collaborative steps with the Chatham Initiative (GCI), Park Manor Community Council (PMCC) and the Chatham Business Association.
In 2008, 75th Street was about 95 percent black owned businesses, today it is about 65 percent, with half of the strip east of Vernon is vacant store fronts. It has been designated and targeted as the Black Wall Street-Chicago Business District area headed by then State Senator Donne Trotter.
Ald. Hall recognize the potential to recreate the positive aspects of the historic Black Wall Street District-on 75th Street stated he is maintaining the Black Wall Street mission to sustain and increase Black businesses by introducing a resolution in the city council as it was done in the Illinois House and State lead by Ron Carter, Chair of Black Wall Street Chicago.
Dalene Tribue, president of the PMCC stated that 75th Street Black Wall Street aims to honor this legacy by fostering economic empowerment and entrepreneurship within the African American community in Chicago inspired by the historic Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, famously known as "Black Wall Street." It serves as a hub for Black-owned businesses, promoting economic growth and cultural pride.
In retrospect, Black Americans continue to face expansive and persistent barriers to economic prosperity and wealth-building. According to the Black Economic Alliance (BEA) Foundation, it continued to report, since the 1980s, the wealth gap has increased, with Black people expected to fall further behind economically in the coming years without significant private, public, and social sector intervention.
“This is the single greatest concentration of Black businesses in a single corridor on a single day,” Rev. Dr. Dates told The Chicago Defender. “If you love people and you care about those on the margins, come here today and spend some money that will go a long way.”
Similar faith-led economic revivals are unfolding across the country, with leaders in Atlanta, Houston and New York organizing their own versions of “Spend in the Black.”
Also participating were Desiree Rogers, CEO Black Opal; Karen Freeman-Wilson, CEO Chicago Urban League; Steve Davis, CEO The Will Group; Charles Smith, Chair, Black Leadership Council; Bill Cooper, president of Inline Designs Office Solutions, and additional leaders.
That message was underscored by Mayor Brandon Johnson, who joined Hall, Dates, and a slate of city and county leaders, including Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, for opening remarks.
In Chicago, 75th Street business strip is about the only one in the nation with most of the businesses are Black owned. The stretch between State Street and Cottage Grove is a one-stop location for consumers needing a dry cleaner, food, shoe repairs, health and wellness items, childcare, copy and print services, beauty and barber shops, art and more.
The legacy businesses like Soul Veg, a second-generation family restaurant, Lem’s Bar-B-Q, a third-generation family business with committed patrons who travel from over a 25-mile radius just to taste its savory dishes. Brown Sugar Bakery and The Woodshop located on East 75th Street has been 49 years — is to create more economic opportunities for Black communities across the city.
“We passed a $1.25 billion bond investment to grow businesses and to build more affordable housing,” Mayor Johnson said. “It is the largest investment in the history of Chicago… Let it be known that on this day, 75th and King Drive was the kickoff to what will be generational wealth for generations to come.”
The 75th Street is the boarder of Grand Crossing and Chatham. It has been destinated a "boardwalk," along the stretch of 75th Street between Indiana and Calumet avenues, as well as Renaissance Row and called Restaurant Row. The 14 food businesses in Restaurant Row attract 200,000 patrons from within a 20-mile radius and employ 200 persons reported by the GCI.
Along the Restaurant Row include Brown Sugar Bakery, Five Loaves Eatery, Flammin Restaurant & Co., Frances Cocktail Lounge, A&S Beverages, Harold’s Chicken #24, KMT Health Foods, Lem’s B-B-Q, Original Soul Vegetarian, Mabe’s Deli, Margarita’s Pizzeria II, President’s Lounge, Dunkin Donut, and others.
Nedra Fears, executive director of GCI, supporting the Black Wall Street project said in pass statements, "I think we all recognize beauty when we see it and experience it, and to make it so tangible, I think that it induces pride in ourselves and in our community,"
Paraphrasing Malcolm X whom BWSC was formed under his economic agenda, Frederick Willams, Ambassador for BWSC went on to say, "When the Black community does not realize that it has to control the businesses at least in its own community, it may be too late. And realize that all the businesses in their community are owned by someone that does not look like them."
From this joint directive on 75th Street to Black businesses, and how the Congressional E-B 5 (foreigners’ migrating to the United States pay VISAs to set up businesses in underserved communities, legislation started in the late 70's and became dominate in the Black communities in the early 80's. EB 5 mandate to foreigners is to employ at least ten (10). However, not necessary of the community it does business.
Willams who grew up along 75th street pointed out the future of the 75th business strip to maintain its black business base, as China Town, Greek Town, Little Village or the Gold Coast in the spirit of Dr. Webb “Mr. Buy Black’ Evans and others.
The Black Wall Street of Woodlawn
headed by the Woodlawn Diversity in Action (WDA) is a charitable, educational, athletic, and social organization that promote activities, events, and small businesses to create a positive environment in the Chicago Woodlawn Community and its surrounding neighborhoods.
The Black Wall Street Woodlawn Festival isn’t just an event — it’s a vibrant celebration of culture, commerce, creativity, and community.” said its Executive Director Carlia Prince and owner of Prince Reality Group.
This year’s theme, "A Tribute to Our Youth," honors the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs by providing spaces for inspiration, learning, and empowerment.
The 2026 Black Wall Street Festival will be in September on the newly designated 63rd Street Commercial Corridor in Woodlawn for a dynamic day filled with unforgettable experiences.