Who We Are
BLC is Chicago’s premier Black business organization of more than 120 of Chicago's Black business leaders and entrepreneurs representing over 25 industries. We are harnessing the power of today’s Black business leaders to build the next generation of leaders. We are Black business leaders and entrepreneurs in positions of influence across the spectrum of business and civic leadership.
BLC Leadership
Keiana Barrett
CEO | BLC

Charles Smith
Chairman | BLC
CEO | CS Insurance Strategies, Division of MMA

Robert Blackwell Jr.
CEO | Quant 16

Glenn Charles Jr.
President & CEO | Show Strategy

Frank Clark
Chairman & CEO | ComEd (Retired)

Kalia M. Coleman
Partner | Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP

Steve Davis
Chairman & CEO | The Will Group

Otto Nichols
Executive VP, Shareholder | Clayco

Felicia Rauls
Partner/Senior Compliance Manager | Creative Planning LLC
Jim Reynolds
Chairman & CEO | Loop Capital Markets

John Rogers
Co-Chairman & CIO | Ariel Investments

Melody Spann-Cooper
Chairman & President | Midway Broadcasting

Melissa Washington
SVP | ComEd Government & External Affairs
Our Goals
Sustainability
To improve the well-being and long-term sustainability of the Black community, our businesses must participate in the modern economy. We aim to create generational wealth from the ground up.
Value
To increase appreciation of the capacity of Black businesses, we must demonstrate our ability to deliver value to governments, institutions and corporations.