Keynote Speaker

Robert McGhee leads the Bank’s Community Economic Development program for the Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana regions and oversees the Bank’s regional compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act; he cultivates and leads the community partnerships and executes the community development and social responsibility strategies. Rob also leads the Bank’s $20 million Empowering Black Futures Neighborhood Program, which seeks to promote economic mobility in Chicago’s low-income South Chicago community. Over the span of his career, Rob has been instrumental in the creation or the enhancement of numerous signature community and economic development initiatives. He has held numerous speaker roles for his expertise in community development; and his list of business and civic awards includes YMCA Black & Hispanic Achievers Award; Chicago Defender Men of Excellence Award; the Earl B. Dickerson Humanitarian Award; the 2023 Equitable Foundation Community Impact Ward; the 2017 Daily Points of Light Award; and he has received recognitions from Crain’s Chicago Business’ Notable Leaders feature, including awards in Community Development; Executives of Color in Finance; and Nonprofit Board Leaders.  Further, Rob is a recipient of Chicago United’s 2023 Business Leaders of Color Award, as well as the 2023 Chicago United Benefactor Award.

127: West Side I

JeTaun Ball - Health and Care Medical

Sharony Brown - Elevated Soul Nutrition

Marilyn Burns - Zoey’s House

Lawanda Chambers - LIFE Wellness and Counseling Services

Gregory Conaway - First Stop Transportation LLC

Ismael El-Amin - PiggyBack Network

Shanice Hamilton - Speak Life Loud

Jennifer Marin Arreola - Para Siempre Co

Melissa Murray - Foot Logic Advanced Foot Care

Amaun Nolen - Phoenic Financial Group LLC

Dr. Angelique Orr - The Phoenixx Institute

Maria Ortiz - Studio M

Corey Rolling - Rolling Enterprise LLC

Qiana Sims - Phoenic Financial Group LLC

Kiisha Smith - BBMF Hattie Foundation

Crystal Sumerlin - Crown of Glory

Candrice Tinch - Le Calme Salon Inc

Mariah Wilson - Dove Haven

128: South Shore Artisans

Bernard Brown - Let’s Roll mmm

Jovante Cail - Jovante Sparkle and Shine

Dominique Darko - Darko Magic Events & Design Boutique

Isissia Drake - Isissia Drake Art

Venise Ewing - Surface Techs Expert Janitorial Services, LLC

Tamara Goldsmith - Early Learning Institute

Artemese Grant - Let’s Live Again LLC

Marquece Holifield - Madelyn Rylie

Theresa Husband - Steps Forward Ventures

Conchita Jamison - 2 B.. (Continued) Jeans Inc

Keena Jordan - Rich Sillage

Kathy Mitchell - Katrocentric.com

Anjie Moore - Detoxx Products

Melanie Moore - Bright Lake Consulting

Maryam Muhammad - Heal Thy Life Center
(The Maryam Khalilah Nutritional Experience)

Symone Myvett - Mona Lisa Makeup Artistry

Velette Outlaw - Stitch & String

Mariyah Simpson - MaJór Esthetics

Robert Thicklin - The Thicklin Foundation

Tia Thomas - Empress Logistic LLC

Shetera Thompson - Tera’s Contouring

129: South Side I

Danicka Brown-Frazier - Alkemi

Rachel Burnett - Conjure Hospitality

Stacey Hart - Young Women Moving Forward (Moving 2 Motherhood)

Tameka Hawkins-Floyd - Minibar in a Jar

Ashley James - Boxes Full of Soul

Markea Knox - The Skin and Body Journey

Sherelle Logan - Beans & Bubbles

Brittney McArthur - Herbal Accession

Kia Mcfarland - 22 Vendetta LLC

Michael Meyers - CDM Business Solutions

Marshawna Miller - Bomb Beauty Boutique

John Muhammad - National Modular Systems

Azalea Scales - Resonate The Brand

Machele Williams - Lotus Flower

Felicia Wilson - A Diva’s Aura LLC (Glam Studio)

130: West Side II

Yisel Jennifer Calviño Convit - Postres Caseros Rebe y Yo

Blanca Campos - Blanca’s Cleaning Services

Angelica Gordon - In City & Out LLC

Leidier Macia - TBD

Miguel Marin - Para Siempre Co

Arnoldo Martinez - Monarca Enterprises

Yolennis Mendoza - Postre Caseros Rebe y Yo

Edilio Mina Escobar - Solares Energy Efficiency Solutions Inc

Verónica Mireles - Hueso Jugoso (Juicy Bones)

Orlando Olivero - Vao Studio

Maria Ramirez - Statistician

Carlos Rodriguez - La Maquina Corp

Miguel Rodriguez - Zulian Home

Rosa Velazquez - Rosy Fresh Cleaning Services

131: Arts & Makers

Ehi Aimiuwu - Geek Empowered

Nyiyah Bland - Nybella’s Vanity

Rebecca Bognet - Ré Bognét Art Studio

Mellonee Calhoun- Spicy Madison LLC

Veda Childress - Assuage Therapies

Brandi Davis-Fitch - B Davis Designs

Alexandria Erves - Dream Iconic Brand Studio

Zina Grace - Altar of Love Doula Services

Danielle Greenhill - Dani Galleri LLC

Paula Harris - Ph Factor Press

Aamina Haykal-Iyare - ZIAIRE

Sarah Henderson - Sarah Robinson Group NFP

Shaquida Hughes - Neveah’s Blissful Burns

Charlotte Lin - Galvanize

Gloria Rita Lugo - Midwest Untouchable Graphics (Encanto Taino)

Brandi Lykes - Lefty Creations

Megan Myrie - Megagraphics Design LLC

Matthew Phillips - MVP Media LLC

Stephen Simpson - Method Consulting Group LLC

Thair Thompson - Fame Factory Artistic Wellness

Tanya Walker - MCompassion Memorial Services LLC

132: Foodpreneur

Latania Allen - LA Gourmet Café

Otis Armstrong - Big O’s Barbecue and Catering

Allysohn Beasly - Ally ‘a la Carte Gourmet Kitchen

Maria Fernandez - Thee Chef Maria LLC

Toni Foster - Toni’s Treat

Salina Fountain - Café Vivian

Jorge Girotti - Fior Di Fuoco

Tyesha Guyton - Ty’s Suga Shack LLC

Lavern Herron - Black Wall Street Grill

Raquel Irizarry - D’Rocks Cocina

Dwight Lewellen - Kernel King

Dedra Morris - Pinkys Treats

Cinque Muhammad - Earl’s Famous

Tracy Oray - Jaune Rose Catering

Wysonia Payton - Decadent Flavor LLC

Patricia Reid Cross - Tasty 2 U Enterprise LLC

Karina Reyes - Birrieria Reyes De Ocotlan

Sofia Rodriguez Mendez - La Buena Vida - Tlacualli Cocina

Da’Ja Smith - Herb & Serve

133: North Side

Jaime Bonds - Purpose: Fully Noted

Juan Chavarria - Tinting Up Chicago

Felicia Gills - Lifestream Transportation Inc

Katrice Hardaway - CMP Properties 

Marla Heflin - MBH3 Consulting (Rooted Futures)

Vanity Hendricks-Robinson - Vital Stock Vending 

Kettia Jn Baptiste - Ketou’s Cuisine LLC

Jason London - The Chef & The Baker LLC

Tameka McClellon - Beatrix Inc (Loco Faith Investing)

Aaron McLeod - Samaritan Law LLC

Jose Ortiz - Connecting Dots for LatinX Pros

Candice Robertson - Predestination

Pafonda Tatum - Honor The Collective

Kenneth Weathers - Jesus People Connect

134: South Side II

Natalie Battles - Melanated in America

Marilyn Birden - Cornerstone Chicago Community Development NFP

Sandy Bowles - Butterfly Candle Co

King Brooks - Goggy Global

Belinda Brumfield - Belinda’s Bistro

Jamal Finch - Relax and Restore

Monique Harris - Divorce Recovery University

Virginia Hights - Invigor Synergy

Latrice Hobbs - Thank You, Latrice

Latasha Lee - Butter-Lee

Saffron Little - Kustawi Ventures

Yolanda Matlock - Centered Cerenity

Saunya O’Neil - More Than A Sandwich

Kevin Riley - Jaleel and Associates

Ebony Roberts - Khavani’s Coaching Essentials

Louisa St Fleur - The Elements of C’est La Vie

Carla Vaugh - Alvino Olajuwon Hakeem Beautiful Things

Ylonda Ware - Divine Counseling Center