Celebrating Black People Magic with a couple of treats from Chicago black businesses!
First, congratulations to Jackie Jackson, proprietor of Kilwins Chocolates Fudge and Ice Cream! She was recently named Illinois Small Businessperson of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Great Lakes Division. She was recognized for her remarkable achievements as an entrepreneur while facing challenges and setbacks, including surviving rioting and looting of her Michigan Avenue store in May of 2020 and the pandemic shutdown. Jackie was inspired to open her first Kilwins by memories of getting ice cream with her late mother and she now owns five locations in the Chicago area.
And big props to the three Black-owned whiskey brands in Chicago: Alexander James, Bull Young Bourbon and Renard Whiskey, who were recently featured in the Sun-Times for breaking down barriers in the spirits industry. The companies are part of a nationwide increase of Black entrepreneurs founding alcohol brands. They said that even though the industry does a lot of gate-keeping, they all are moving forward and supporting each other.
& Remember to always celebrate your magic! xo