Chi-town Chronicles: Celebrating Black Entrepreneurship in the Windy City
Collage by Megan Totah Design
RUNWAY’s recent trip to Chicago marked a significant milestone in our mission to dismantle systemic barriers and champion equitable finance. This vibrant city, rich with a legacy of Black entrepreneurship and community resilience, provided the perfect backdrop for our key events: BLOOM: A Soliloquy on Black Business, and the Believe-In-You Money Breakfast. Partnering with Good Chaos, we sought to amplify the voices of local leaders and innovators, showcasing the power of reparative finance and the solidarity economy.
Our journey to Chicago was a celebration of the city’s dynamic entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to fostering a more inclusive and just financial ecosystem. Through BLOOM, we highlighted the transformative potential of community-led financial practices, while the Believe-In-You Money Breakfast offered a heartfelt tribute to the indomitable spirit of Black women driving these movements. Together, these events underscored RUNWAY’s dedication to creating a future where a reimagined economy that celebrates Black people is not just an aspiration but a reality.
RUNWAY Bloom: A Soliloquy on Black Business
BLOOM: A Soliloquy on Black Business was a resounding success, bringing together a community of funders, investors, and stakeholders committed to reshaping the financial landscape for Black entrepreneurs in Chicago and beyond. Co-hosted by RUNWAY and Good Chaos, the evening unfolded in an atmosphere brimming with collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision for economic justice.
The event kicked off with a lively mix-and-mingle session, setting the stage for meaningful connections and conversations. Funders, community partners, and local entrepreneurs exchanged ideas and insights, fostering a spirit of unity and shared purpose.
Good Chaos took the stage to deliver the opening remarks, highlighting the significance of the event amidst the current climate of attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Their message was clear: the work of advancing economic justice and reparative capital is more crucial than ever.
The heart of the evening was the announcement of RUNWAY's launch in Chicago. As a financial innovation firm dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers and promoting Black liberation, RUNWAY's entry into Chicago marks a pivotal moment for the city's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Attendees learned about RUNWAY’s unique methodologies, including character-based underwriting and community-led lending, which are designed to disrupt traditional financial practices and foster a more equitable foundation for Black businesses.
A powerful spoken word performance by local Chicago artist Kee Stein followed, echoing the themes of resilience, liberation, and the power of community. The artist’s words resonated deeply, underscoring the evening’s focus on the intersection of art, activism, and economic empowerment.
The event concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and a call to action for all attendees. RUNWAY and Good Chaos successfully demonstrated the profound impact of their work, inspiring funders and investors to join their mission. Together, we are not just imagining new possibilities; we are making bold moves toward a more just and liberated financial future for Black entrepreneurs and communities.
Believe-in-You Money Breakfast: A Morning of Empowerment & Celebration
The Believe-In-You Money Breakfast, co-hosted by RUNWAY and Good Chaos, took place the following morning in celebration of Black women visionaries and changemakers. As the sun rose over Chicago, local leaders gathered to be in conversation about an equitable and inclusive economy, championed by Black women through the lens of reparative finance.
The ambiance was nothing short of magical. The room, adorned with elegant décor and intimate lighting, set the stage for a morning of nourishment and inspiration. Each table was a microcosm of powerful conversations about the game-changing power of reparative finance, belief in our communities and in each other. Attendees arrived in style, embodying the grace and strength that have always been at the heart of our movements for equity and justice, and you better believe everybody got their flowers!
Good Chaos and RUNWAY welcomed the guests warmly, recognizing the historical and ongoing contributions of Black women to these movements. Their words echoed a truth we know too well: for as long as there has been a fight for reparative capital and economic justice, Black women have been the backbone, wielding tenacity, grit, and unwavering hope.
This was a moment of pause to honor ourselves, our sisters, and the incredible journeys we navigate. It was a reminder that while we are often the architects of change, we also deserve to bask in the success and beauty of our accomplishments.
The conversations were rich with insights into how reparative finance can rectify the systemic injustices that have long plagued our communities. We explored the principles of the solidarity economy, emphasizing cooperation, mutual aid, and community-centered practices. Discussions centered around creating financial systems that are not just inclusive but fundamentally transformative, prioritizing the well-being of people over profits.
As the breakfast concluded, there was a palpable sense of renewed energy and purpose. The Believe-In-You Money Breakfast served as a declaration that we, as Black women, are here to lead, inspire, and transform. It was a celebration of the beautiful, resilient community that believes in the power of us and our ability to reimagine finance.
RUNWAY Team Retreat
We wrapped the trip with our RUNWAY Team Retreat kicking off with a welcome dinner at Bronzeville Winery. The team explored the historic Bronzeville neighborhood (dubbed the “Black Metropolis”), participated in a candle-making class, and learned how to churn out some finger-lickin’ BBQ that culminated in a shared meal. The retreat concluded with an energetic after-party featuring music by RUNWAY’s own DJ Nina Sol.
