South Shore Chamber of Commerce - Chicago

04/26/2026

The South Shore Chamber Community Development Corp is a proud recipient of the City's Commercial Corridor Storefront Activation Program. This is a $30.5 million investment to improve 12 commercial corridors across the city with upgrades such as facade enhancements, storefront buildouts, beautification projects, signagne and more. $3mm are targeted for Improvements along 71st Street from Ridgeland to Paxton.

To learn more about this program and our comprehensive CorridorLive! South Shore initiative, visit www.southshorecdc.org.

!SouthShore

04/26/2026

Big opportunities start with simple conversations. 🤝

Join us at the Small Business Mixer and connect with entrepreneurs, business owners, and local leaders who are shaping the future of the South Shore community.

Whether you're looking for partnerships, ideas, or inspiration—this is where it happens
April 30, 2026
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
NAFSI South Shore, Chicago

Reserve your spot today: hopp.co/sscc

Be there. Be seen. Be connected. 🌱✨

04/22/2026

Ready to grow your network and open new doors? 🌱✨

Join us at the Small Business Mixer—an evening designed for entrepreneurs, business owners, and community leaders to connect, collaborate, and create real opportunities.

Meet like-minded professionals, spark meaningful conversations, and be part of a community that’s building something bigger together.

April 30, 2026
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
NAFSI South Shore, Chicago

Secure your spot now: hopp.co/sscc

Your next connection could change everything.

04/16/2026

Small Business Mixer – Connect, Collaborate, Grow

Join fellow entrepreneurs, business owners, and community leaders for an evening of meaningful connections and new opportunities at the Small Business Mixer.

This event is designed to bring together professionals shaping the future of the South Shore community.

Whether you're looking to expand your network, discover new collaborations, or simply connect with like-minded individuals, this mixer is the perfect space to engage and grow.

Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Location: NAFSI South Shore, South Shore Cultural Center
7059 S. South Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60649

RSVP NOW: hopp.co/sscc

Don’t miss this opportunity to be in the room where connections turn into growth.

04/01/2026

✂️🎀 It’s Time to Celebrate a New Tail in Town! 🐾✨

Join us as we officially welcome Pooch Town to the community with a special Ribbon Cutting Celebration! 🎉🐶

From daycare to boarding, Pooch Town is creating a safe, loving, and engaging space for our furry friends — while bringing pet parents together in the process. This is more than a business… it’s a community for pets and the people who love them. 💛

📍 7411 S. Stony Island Ave., 1st Floor
📅 Saturday, April 11th
⏰ 11 AM – 1 PM

Come out for:
🎀 Official Ribbon Cutting
🎶 Music
🍴 Lite Bites
🐾 Community Connection
📸 Photo Moments
🐶Supervised playtime for the dogs

Let’s show Pooch Town some love as they open their doors and tails start wagging across South Shore! 🐕✨

ABOUT POOCH TOWN:
𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿: Adebola Adeniyi

𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: To provide a safe, engaging, and loving environment for local pets while fostering a strong community of pet parents through exceptional daycare and boarding services.

03/12/2026

Congratulations to our Executive Director Tonya Love Trice being honored!

Leadership. Impact. Legacy.
The Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Class of 2026 represents a powerful group of trailblazers who are shaping industries, empowering communities, and creating lasting change.

Join us as we celebrate these phenomenal women at the Women of Excellence Awards & Induction Ceremony.

📍 Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk
📅 March 20, 2026

Show your support for these amazing women.

🎟 Purchase link: https://chicagodefender.com/woe2026/

03/12/2026

📍 HONOREES

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are proud to introduce our 2026 Legacy Awards Honorees.

🏆Robert Townsend – Legacy Award
Trailblazing actor, director, and storyteller Robert Townsend will receive the Legacy Award for decades of groundbreaking work that has elevated Black voices in film, television, and culture.

🏆Jimmy Akintonde – Leadership Award
Jimmy Akintonde, Founder of Ujamaa Construction, will receive the Leadership Award for building the largest Black-owned construction company in Chicago and creating pathways for opportunity in the industry.

🏆Lisa McKay – Education Award
Lisa Kay, Founder of Culinary Education Academy, will receive the Education Award for empowering the next generation through culinary training, workforce development, and entrepreneurship.

🏆Stephanie Hart – Growth Award
Stephanie Hart, Founder & CEO of Brown Sugar Bakery, will receive the Growth Award for transforming a neighborhood bakery into a nationally recognized brand with multiple locations—including O’Hare and Midway airports—and revitalizing the historic Cupid Candiesfacility into a 10,000-square-foot manufacturing operation.

🏆Dr. Pamela Blackman – Advocacy Award
Dr. Pamela Blackman, CEO of Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts Chicago, will receive the Advocacy Award for her lifelong dedication to uplifting underserved communities through arts, culture, and philanthropy—providing scholarships, housing support, and youth programming across Chicago.

🏆Pam Robinson – Community Award
Pam Robinson, Founder of the 40+ Double Dutch Club, will receive the Community Award for turning a small Facebook group into a powerful movement of thousands of women celebrating wellness, sisterhood, and community impact across the country.

🏆Gus Rickette Sr.  – Family Legacy Award
Gus Rickette, Founder of Uncle Remus Chicken, will receive the Family Legacy Award for building one of Chicago’s most iconic Black-owned restaurant brands and serving generations of families throughout the city.

This is Legacy.

Join us in celebrating these remarkable leaders March 14th during Legacy Awards Weekend.

See YOU on the Blue carpet.
🏆

03/03/2026

02/25/2026

Tomorrow: Join South Shore Chamber's Small Business Café!
​
Boost your business at the free virtual Business Essentials session on Thursday, February 26, from 4:30-6:00 PM via Zoom.
​
Connect with NBDC experts and Sunshine Enterprises for practical advice on growth, startup tips, and support—no matter your stage.

Register now: https://loom.ly/2zHQrXg