LIGHTING THE WAY | BLC Newsletter Q1 2023
Message from our
Chief Executive Officer
The Future is Brighter than Ever!
The City of Chicago’s 2023 Mayoral Run-off Election is historic, no matter the outcome. Leading up to this critical election, BLC members were given an opportunity to meet and ask questions of both candidates at several BLC sponsored events. It was good to hear each candidate promise to expand Black contracting opportunities if they were elected. I am confident that whoever is elected mayor, the BLC is well-positioned to zealously advocate for you and your business.
The future of the BLC is brighter than ever. Projects such as Landmark Development’s multi-billion One Central South Loop development, as well as the pending construction and operation of Bally’s north side casino, will bring numerous contracting opportunities to our city and our members. Moreover, BLC member Sterling Bay and its Lincoln Yards multiyear development project could provide select contractors with multiyear contracting opportunities into the next decade. We are also watching the progress of the CTA’s Redline rail system extension to ensure BLC member participation in that critical project. All the projects represent contracting opportunities for both construction and professional services firms.
I am energized by the City and State contracting opportunities that will present themselves during the next 24 months. We will continue to update and educate you regarding the Illinois and Chicago contracting marketplace. It is important that you know what goods and services are being sought by Illinois’ public and private buyers. In the coming months, we will provide you with industry experts and government officials who will share unique insights into the Illinois and Chicago marketplaces to enhance your contracting opportunities.
We welcome all new BLC members to the organization. Please know that as an attorney with significant experience in disadvantaged business certification eligibility, I am here to advocate, assist, and educate.
Wishing you all good health and prosperity.
Montel M. Gayles
Chief Executive Officer
BLC.
Making Our Voices Heard.
Civic and business leaders come
to the BLC, seeking support for positions and projects that impact the broader African American community. We carefully consider each proposal before deciding to add our voices and take a position.
BLC Supports Illinois House Bill to Give Minority Vendors Price Parity.
The BLC put its support behind proposed legislation in the Illinois House of Representatives that would “level the playing field” for minority vendors whose lines of business include procurement of equipment to resell and install. Illinois HB 3963 requires that all value-added resellers be given the same price from manufacturers so that they have an equal opportunity to compete.
Current law permits manufacturers to provide deep discounts to their favored value-added resellers. These discounts position those large resellers for successful bids and leave smaller, minority vendors unable to compete on a price basis. This proposed legislation is vitally important to our BLC technology sector.
Member Spotlight and New Members
The Business Leadership Council celebrates our established members whose powerful contributions have helped to make the BLC a respected partner in the Illinois Business Community. We also welcome new members whose professional skills, talents and business capabilities make us a more powerful voice for the African American business community.
Member Spotlight
Ellen Turner
Founder, Chief Executive Officer
William Everette Group
The William Everett Group
is an African American, family-owned management and information technology consulting firm. The firm was established in 2010 by founder and CEO,
Ellen Rozelle Turner
an inspirational leader and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in executive management, sales, marketing and is a subject matter expert in the government industry.
The firm is named for her grandfather William Everett Rozelle and has recently named a second-generation family leader, Carlton Robert McGee, Jr. as its second president. William Everett employs over 150 full time highly qualified and diverse consulting professionals. William Everett core services include management consulting, technology and infrastructure consulting, community engagement and enablement services (call center, staffing and customer service).
William Everett is trusted by a client base that is comprised of Fortune 500 companies and state and local governments. The firm is a certified minority, woman, and disadvantaged business enterprise (MWDBE) with offices in Chicago, IL, St. Louis, MO, Washington DC, Dallas TX and Kansas City, KS.
William Everett is proud of its charitable giving and annually hosts and hires students from local colleges and universities as well as supports the Chicago Public Schools internship program. One of the firm’s core values is to give back in the communities where they work and live.
Mrs. Turner is dedicated to her charitable causes and is the president of her family’s charity The McGee Turner Family Foundation. TMTFF provides charitable donations and programs to help at-risk youth in black and brown communities.
Torrey L. Barrett
Principal
Imagine Development Group
Torrey L. Barrett is a native of Chicago and the principal of Imagine Development Group, a minority-owned and certified leading boutique real estate development firm with significant local experience in market-rate, mixed-income, and affordable housing. Prior to starting Imagine Development Group, Torrey has a long history of running several social justice organizations to improve the quality of life for thousands of youths in the US and abroad.
In 2004, Torrey’s reputation for providing quality service and his efforts for bringing about peace received international recognition. Torrey was appointed U.S. Chapter President of Youth Federation for World Peace International. In that capacity, Torrey facilitated bringing large groups of youth from America to foreign countries to engage the youth of those countries in peaceful negotiations. Torrey’s work in the Middle East earned him an Ambassador for Peace title by the State of Israel.
After the tragic loss of Torrey’s baby sister, Kleo, in 2007, Torrey founded and organized two non-profits, The KLEO Center and Emerald South EDC. The KLEO Center’s mission is to “Eradicate Violence by Bringing Opportunity to Those in Need.”
The Emerald South EDC’s aim is to attract and coordinate investment through community convening and collaborative partnerships that increase local ownership and prosperity.
Most recently, Torrey’s development team broke ground on the Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s first Invest Southwest project. A $48M development called Auburn Gresham Apartments. The mixed-use project on two vacant City-owned development sites in Auburn Gresham. One site, at 838 W. 79th St., will contain 28 affordable residences and 5,200 square feet of commercial space. The other site, at 757 W. 79th St., will include 30 affordable apartments and 3,300 square feet of commercial space.
Torrey also owns a restaurant group that owns and operates four restaurants and bars throughout the City of Chicago.
Awards Include:
- Nairobi Kenya Prime Mister Award
- Who’s Who in Chicago?? 40 under 40
- Chicago Defender Men of Excellence
- Congressional Black Caucus Emerging Young Leader Award
- Chicago Urban League innovators Award
- Cook County C.F. Stradford Award
BLC New Members
Randal Bausley
President
Ren Contracting
Elevator & Escalator Maintenance,
Repair & Modernization
Vanguard, General Services Sector
Derryl Caldwell
Owner
D.C. Mad Hatter, Inc.
Design & Manufacturer of Brand Apparel
Vanguard, Financial Services Sector
Jessica Dudley
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Bold Ventures
Administrative Management & General Management Consulting Services
Vanguard, General Services Sector
Kenneth Hughes
Commercial Middle Market Associate Relationship Manager
Fifth Third Bank
Personal & Business Banking Services
Established, Finance Sector
Joel K. Johnson
President & Chief Executive Officer
Treatment Alternatives Safe Community (TASC)
Case Management for eHealthcare & Criminal Justice Reform
Civic/Community, Non-Profit Sector
Brooke Lang
Principal
Brooke Lang Design
Residential & Commercial Interior Design Services
Vanguard, General Services Sector
Chris Preston
Chief Development Officer
United Way of Metro Chicago
Grantmaking & Giving Services
Civic/Community, Non-Profit Sector
BLC Events:
Past &
Future
BLC’s goal is to educate, empower and enlighten our members about issues that impact our businesses and our communities. We invite impactful leaders to address our members and guests, to share their views and help us make informed decisions about our world.
BLC's CEO, Montel Gayles Serves as Judge for the Faith Community of Saint Sabina’s Shark Tank
On March 20, 2023, Business Leadership Council (“BLC”) CEO Montel Gayles served as a judge for the Faith Community of Saint Sabina’s African American History Month Black Shark Tank. Co-judges for this event were Stephanie Hart, the owner of Brown Sugar Bakery, Carlos Nelson, the Executive Director of the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, Jory Luster of Luster Products, and Norman Bolden, the owner and operator Norman’s Bistro.
After reviewing more than 80 business proposals from contestants, the judge panel selected three businesses for final in-person presentations at Saint Sabina Church. The winner of this year’s Shark Tank competition was “Jus Sandwiches, LLC” and its owner Karen Roberts. For her efforts, Ms. Roberts received a $150,000 grant to infuse into her business. She also received a one-year Van Guard membership with the Business Leadership Council. The BLC looks forward to working with Ms. Roberts in the months ahead as she grows her business in the Auburn Gresham community!
BLC at the Forefront of the Democratic Process in Chicago
The Business Leadership Council has been deeply involved in the democratic process that will eventually lead to the election of a new mayor for the City of Chicago. The BLC does not formally endorse political candidates, but it is our goal to expose our members and the public to the qualifications and the views of all those who aspire to become Chicago’s next Mayor.
With our partners, the Chicago Urban League, National Association of Black Journalists-Chicago and WVON/ VONtv, The BLC has cohosted two mayoral forums—the first with all nine mayoral candidates and once the field was narrowed, a head-to head debate between Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas.
BLC also created opportunities for our members to hear directly from both two Chicago mayoral race finalists who came to address the BLC just days after the February 28th election.
Upcoming Event
General Membership Meeting
April 28th at 5:00PM
Speaker TBD
150 N. Michigan Avenue, 3rd Floor Conference Room, Chicago, IL 60601
BLC Members in the News
BLC Member Dr. Suzet McKinney of Sterling Bay honored for Leadership in the Healthcare Industry by Loretto Hospital Foundation for 2023 Women’s History Month and joins in Westside Health Care Leaders Talk about "Death Gap" in Black Communities
March 27, 2023
BLC Member Nosa Ehimwenman, featured in article on Minority Contractor Growth Limited by Revenue Caps,
Crains Chicago Business,
March 20, 2023
BLC Member Attorney Patricia Brown Holmes, Managing Partner of Riley Safer Holmes & Cancilla LLP, named to Class of 2023 Cook County Bar Association Hall of Fame,
March 20, 2023
BLC Founding member and WVON/ Midway Broadcasting President Melody Spann Cooper joined Ariel Investments, CoCEO Mellody Hobson, and Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyers Ervin for a discussion on Generational Wealth Building,
March 13, 2023
Derryl Caldwell, aka “DC The Mad Hatter”, a new BLC member was recognized as “Supplier of the Year” by the HACIA, March 7th, 2023 and also received the TruthBTold Rev. Al Sampson Award at the Men Motivating Men Hood Tour.
February 23, 2023
BLC member Jeffrey Beckham of Chicago Scholars shared insights on Men Motivating Men Hood Tour at Kennedy King College.
February 23, 2023
BLC Member Myetie Hamilton named Executive Director of Epic Academy Charter High School. February 13, 2023
BLC Founding member, Jim Reynolds of Loop Capital is joined by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and his partner, television producer Derek Dudley for the groundbreaking of Regal Miles Studios on Chicago’s South Side. February 6, 2023
BLC Founding member John Rogers, rebrands his Ariel Investments firm and closes “Project Black”, $1.45 million-dollar private equity fund aimed at grooming minority owned business to Fortune 500 levels. January 13th and February 1, 2023
Opportunities for BLC Companies & Members
Q1 2023
Chief Marketing Officer for Choose Chicago, a private, nonprofit organization responsible for marketing the greater Chicago area as a business, meetings/convention, and leisure visitor destination. Choose Chicago is contracted by the City of Chicago and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority to act as the official sales and marketing agency for McCormick Place and Chicago.
City of Chicago Department of Aviation
has several open positions available. Download the following position listings for more information.