Audacity 2024: A Night to Celebrate, Network, and Support Rising Entrepreneurs
On Wednesday, Sunshine Enterprises hosted Audacity 2024, and it was nothing short of inspiring! The event brought together passionate entrepreneurs, supportive community members, and generous sponsors for an evening filled with connection, creativity, and celebration of Chicago’s entrepreneurial spirit. Held at the beautiful Arbory, over 180 attendees joined us to support our mission of empowering rising entrepreneurs in underserved areas. The evening’s highlight was our Pop-Up Market, featuring 22 of our talented alumni from our Community Business Academy. These entrepreneurs showcased their unique products, ranging from boozy treats and handmade skincare to stylish apparel and even vintage maps. We also featured an art auction featuring stunning pieces from the gallery of one of our talented alumni - Dana Todd Pope. Dana's Women's Live Artist Studio is located inside Navy Pier. Alum Jittaun Priest from Brush Works contributed one of her exquisite art pieces to the auction, along with offering an exclusive interior decorating color consultation. Both artists are proud graduates of our Community Business Academy. Overall, the energy in the room was electric as guests shopped, networked, and celebrated the entrepreneurial journey.
INCREDIBLE ALUMNI PANELISTS
A special moment of the evening was hearing from our alumni panelists, who shared their inspiring stories of growth and resilience. These graduates of our Community Business Academy reminded us why we do what we do: to create opportunities and empower individuals to turn their dreams into successful businesses.: Reina Marcelle - Reina's Cakes, Pam Crenshaw - Simplify Bizness, Orville Miller - Unstacked Inc.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
This night of celebration wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our amazing sponsors. Your generosity helps us continue our mission of providing resources, education, and opportunities to entrepreneurs in underserved communities: Chicago Sunday Evening Club, CIBC, Huntington Bank, Fixt, Old National Bank, Cresset Capitaland Providence Bank & Trust. We are incredibly grateful for your commitment to making a difference in the lives of our entrepreneurs and their communities.
SHOUTOUT TO OUR POP-UP MARKET VENDORS
The heart of the evening was the Pop-Up Market, where 22 alumni vendors proudly displayed their products. Here’s a list of the incredible businesses that made the night so memorable: Valerie J. Bates - VisorWrap, Cedric Salone - Bedewed Skin, Damon Reed - Damon Lamar Reed Enterprises, Chaiquile Cooper - Designsbyquille, Sharon Osinaike - Dr. Herbal's Organic & Vegan, Italia Fields - Omni's Apothecary, Veronica McDaniel - Jasper Orange Scented Candles, Lakiesha Williams - Mama Africas Marketplace, Roger Archie - MapMan Chicago, Elena - Milenia Events Decor, Maru Braemer - Monarch Beauty Farm, Catrice Moore - Moore Creative & Co., Doreetha Andrea Wheatley - RP Couture, Gheri Mattison - Brows by Gheri, Ameriah Moon - Viciously you Collection, Bettina Slaughter - Boozy Treats, Anana Durr - Juggheadz, Yolanda Sanchez - Lissy Novelties, Kakawana Powell - The Kaya Kollection, Truniekia Franklin - Funk Shui Boutique, Rodney Gipson - Audible Edge Music Group, LLC
Each vendor brought their passion, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit, making this market a vibrant celebration of local talent.
DELICIOUS FOOD BY ALUMNI CHEFS
Guests also enjoyed an array of delicious food and drinks catered by alumni-owned businesses. From savory appetizers to sweet treats, every bite was a testament to the talent and hard work of our graduates. Their culinary creations fueled the evening and added a special touch to the event’s atmosphere. Thank you Reina Marcelle - Reina's Cakes, Ken Stevens - House of Loove Catering, Arian McDuffy - Soul Ramen Chi, Patricia Gonzales - Healthy Substance
MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER
Audacity 2024 was a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we come together to celebrate, network, and support. To everyone who attended, sponsored, or participated—thank you for making this event a success. Let’s continue to champion entrepreneurship, create opportunities, and shine a light on the potential within every community.
We’re already looking forward to next year’s Audacity!
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