LIGHTING THE WAY | BLC Newsletter Q3 2022
Message from our
Chief Executive Officer
As 2022 ends, the Business Leadership Council (BLC) is planning exciting activities for our membership to close out the year. At our general meeting on October 20, 2022, we will host a “Fireside Chat with Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker.” Members are urged to R.S.V.P. quickly as space for this event is limited. In November, the BLC will hold a” Meet, Greet, and Network” session with Mayor Lori Lightfoot. And, in a return to custom, the BLC will hold its annual holiday event in December at a time and place to be communicated soon.
Over the years, the BLC has acquired a superb reputation as a prominent and respected advocate for Black businesses. To maintain our reputation, power, and influence, we must not only grow the BLC’s membership, but also maintain our financial strength. To this end, annual membership dues invoices will be sent out to you in late December of 2022 for 2023 dues obligations. When you receive your business’ BLC membership dues invoice, please process and send your payment back to us as soon as possible.
There are great things in store for the BLC and its membership in 2023! I look forward to the days ahead and to the continued contributions of our BLC members to Chicago’s business community. Best wishes to you and your businesses as we bring 2022 to a successful close!
Montel M. Gayles
Chief Executive Officer
BLC’s Chief Engagement Officer Cory Thames Launches Public Affairs Firm
BLC bids goodbye and good luck this month to Chief Engagement Officer, Cory Thames. After working in and with the government for several years, Cory has decided to branch out and launch his own public affairs firm, Thames Strategies. Thames Strategies specializes in government affairs, grassroots community engagement/coalition building, DEI, and political strategy just to name a few and leverages his nearly fifteen years of working and relationship building in the public and private sectors. To learn more, feel free to visit his website (www.thamesstrategies.com) or contact him directly at cory@thamesstrategies.com. Best of luck in your next chapter, Cory!
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 joins City of Chicago in full court press to host 2024 Democratic National Convention. Mayor Lori Lightfoot hosted DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison and his delegation in July to show off the Chicago as one of the finalist Cities in contention to host the 2024 presidential nominating convention which would generate up to $200 million dollars in economic activity. Chicago has not hosted a convention since 1996.
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
Wynona Redmond
Wyn-Win Communications
Wynona Redmond is a pioneering and visionary communications and community engagement strategist, highly regarded for her 30+ years of connecting corporations to communities. Since 2012, her M/WBE-certified, full-service public relations agency – Wyn-Win Communications – has provided strategic counsel to corporate, retail, nonprofit, healthcare and faith-based clients. In Chicago and across the country, Wynona has curated an unsurpassed network of community leaders, elected officials, corporate executives, communicators and journalists.
Wynona has been intentional with Wyn-Win work by choosing assignments that have clear community benefit. And this work has had real impact including getting access to better healthcare, getting hard to count communities counted in the US Census, opening retail grocery in food desserts, and helping build stronger bridges between the police and the community. Wynona also spotlights important causes and individuals during her Community Chatter radio segment on AM 1390.
Before founding Wyn- Win, Wynona led public affairs and community engagement efforts in the public and private sectors, including Northstar Lottery Group, Dominick’s Finer Foods/Safeway, Illinois Department of Children & Family Services, the Chicago Housing Authority and Cook County (Stroger) Hospital.
A president emeritus of the National Black Public Relations Society, Wynona also served as senior advisor on the Public Relations Society of America’s national board. Current board and committee service includes the NBC Chicago Community Action Board, the iHeart Media Local Advisory Board and the Business Leadership Council Communications Committee.
Wynona is the recipient of numerous local and national honors. Recent recognitions include the National Association of Black Journalists Salute to Excellence Award for Government PR and Juneteenth Illinois, the Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Vanguard Award and West Side Women of Wisdom. Past honors include Matthew House, West Side NAACP, Target Market News, Who’s Who In Black Chicago, Top Ladies of Distinction, Today’s Black Woman Expo, Rainbow Push Community Award, the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago and Heroes in the Hood.
Wynona holds a B.A. in Communications from Loyola University of Chicago and completed graduate work at Roosevelt University.
In celebration of the Wyn-Win 10th anniversary, Wynona is launching the Wyn-Win Works corporate foundation to provide public affairs consulting services to underserved causes.
Reach her at wynona@wyn-win.com
www.wyn-win.com
www.facebook.com/wynwincomm
instagram.com/wynwincomm
BLC New Members
Garry Cooper
CEO/Co-Founder
Rheaply Climate Technology Consulting
Information Technology Sector
Myetie Hamilton
Executive Director
CityYear Chicago Non-Profit Youth Support Organization
Civic/Institutional Sector
Robert Jones Jr.
CEO
RP & Associates LLC Tax Planning and Accounting
Accounting/Finance 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.
Future Events
A Conversation with Mayor Lori Lightfoot
November, Date TBD
BLC Holiday Party
Thursday, December 15th
6:00PM -10:00PM
The Penthouse Hyde Park
5107 S. Blackstone Avenue
BLC’s First Annual Awards Ceremony
Spring 2023
Nominations being sought for the 1st Annual BLC “ Gamechangers” Awards. The Business Leadership Council is asking its members to nominate potential awardees in four categories:
The Frank Clark Award for Lifetime Achievement
This award will be given to an African American corporate leader or entrepreneur who has stood the test of time and risen to the top of their field while taking time to mentor and support young executives and businesses in the process.
Government Gamechanger
Award
This award will be given to the local, state, or federal government official who has done the most toward bringing equity and inclusion to government procurement and administration.
Community Partner for Progress
Award
This award will be given to the individual or organization that we feel has done the most to assist local businesses to survive and thrive.
Business Breakout
Award
This award will be given to a new or recently emerging business leader who has risen to prominence based on their innovation and business acumen.
To nominate your choice for each award email your nominations to Avis Lavelle at alavelle@bblcchicago.com
Do It Today!!!
BLC Members in the News
BLC Member Leon Walker, Developer that brought Discover to the South Side looks to cash out. Featured in Crain's Chicago Business, September 26, 2022
BLC Member Chicago State University President Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott,
partnered with Argonne National Laboratory to be part of a $66 Million dollar U.S. Department of Energy program to assess the impact of climate change on urban communities.
September 6, 2022
BLC Member Attorney Patricia Brown Holmes among Crain's 2022 Notable Women in Law.
Featured in Crain's Chicago Business, September 3, 2022
BLC Member Alexandra Sims-Jones of APS & Associates was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. September, 2022
BLC Member and BWe Founder Merri Green held her 27th Annual Black Women’s Expo (BWe Next) August 12-14, 2022 at Mc Cormick Place.
BLC Member and Developer Torrey Barrett’s family-backed foundation launched its Inaugural KLEO Center Golf Fundraiser at Harborside International Golf Course on August 17, 2022. The K.L.E.O (Keep Loving Each Other) Community Life Family Center is a non-profit organization and facility dedicated to strengthening families and providing a safe haven for youth.
BLC Member Carlton R. McGee was named President of member firm, The William Everett Group. August 12, 2022
BLC Member Nosa Ehimwenm’s Bowa Construction joint venture tops off Bronzeville 43 Green. August 1, 2022
BLC Members Gavin Jackson and Syreeta Nuckolls of the Jackson Nuckolls Group announced the creation the Calumet Roaring Rivers Water Park. July 27, 2022
BLC Member Randal Dawson, Executive VP CRBE, was a panelist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland’s program on Black Community Investment. July 7, 2022
BLC Member and Foundation Executive Director Tiffany D. Hightower announced the Illinois Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. October 13-16, 2022
BLC Member David Anderson was appointed an Honorary General Council to the Republic of Uganda.
Opportunities for BLC Companies & Members
Q3 2022
DL3 Developers and Bowa Construction Group are seeking minority trade subcontractors for Thrive-Englewood’s 6-story, 61-unit new mixed use residential/commercial building 914 W. 63rd St.
Power Construction, LLC Is seeking M/WBE participation in the development of Innovation Labs at Hyde Park, a new construction, 13 story laboratory building to be constructed over an existing 3-story structure.
The Community Builders Development Corporation
is seeking subcontractors for a project at 4715 N. Western, a surface lot that will be redeveloped into 63 mixed income apartments and approximately 5,000 sq. feet of retail space, including a parking garage.