Audacity 2021: Advancing Equity

Left to Right: Tony Smith, Peggy Davis, Joel Hamernick, and Erica King

On October 13th, community members, entrepreneurs, panelists, and guests gathered at the Metropolitan Club at the Willis Tower, to present Audacity 2021! The event focused on the new Community Microequity Fund—a joint partnership between Sunshine Enterprises, PNC Foundation, and Greenwood Archer Capital. Erica King, President of Greenwood Archer Capital and panelist described equity as being fair and impartial, saying, “It’s hard to achieve equity when the field isn’t leveled…So in order to achieve equity something different has to happen.” The Community Microequity Fund is dedicated to helping diverse entrepreneurs access capital in order to grow their businesses.

The event began with a welcome from Trenton Blythe, Director of Major Gifts at Sunshine Enterprises and remarks from Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Chicago City Treasurer. Two alumni of Sunshine Enterprises’ Community Business Academy, Dana Todd Pope and Melvin Henley, shared their stories and insight as rising business leaders.

I watched the workshops Sunshine hosted and took advantage of every opportunity made available. I applied to grants every day. - Dana Todd Pope
When you take a second to think about the word audacity, what comes to mind? Taking risk, courage, and boldness. I can see in the audience that everyone here is willing to take a risk. They have the courage and they’re bold enough to think that we can change how we do business here in Chicago when it relates directly to entrepreneurs. - Melvin Henley, Founder of PAC Leaders

Joel Hamernick, Executive Director of Sunshine Enterprises, hosted the panel discussion with community leaders": Erica King, President of Greenwood Archer Capital; Peggy Davis, VP of Community Impact at Chicago Community Trust; and Thurman "Tony" Smith, Senior VP of PNC Bank. Topics relating to the history of black entrepreneurship, access-to-capital opportunities, and the effects of the pandemics arose. At the event, Sunshine Enterprises' vendors featured heir businesses, products, and crafts alongside a stimulating conversation about the need for investment in Southside small-businesses. The efforts raised by this partnership in the Community Microequity fund, gives us all hope for a brighter future in addressing historical woes in the lending community and distributing access to capital to otherwise disinvested communities and business owners throughout Chicagoland.

Watch the full event here