Here’s Your Guide To Buying Black For NBA All-Star Weekend In Chicago
Whew, so let me tell ya'll a story...
A couple weeks ago, I was scrolling through social media, when I came across an oddly incomplete list of Chicago black-owned businesses for the upcoming NBA All-Star weekend (February 14-16). The purpose of the list was to encourage black dollars to go to black establishments while in town. I didn't know who made it, I didn't have any details as to why it was constructed the way it was. I just remember wondering why is this list missing so many places? Especially with living here and knowing that Chicago is filled with culture and food and a plethora of bomb places that we'd be happy to direct everyone to.
I knew we needed a little bit more for the people.
So, on a whim, I decided to make a list. And with complete disclosure, guys: this list was premature, rushed, and ideally only to be used as a point-of-reference for out-of-towners amongst the maybe 50 people—max—that I expected to see it.
But instead, it went viral. Imperfections and all.
Giphy
And the more eyes that were on it, the more feedback and chaos that ensued. From interrogations as to why their favorite place isn't listed, to spelling errors, I real life heard it all. And all the criticism was understandable—I mean, if you're gonna do it, do it right. But through all critiques, I ultimately found myself inspired because, if anything, I learned that there's a very high-demand for FUBU establishments.
This, in addition to all the recent news of the league, is why I decided to create a black-owned business guide, with full intentions of this one being seen. We've been surrounded by a sense of community through an unfortunate tragedy. Let's build upon our sense of community and support—from the outside, in.
So, whether you plan to stay downtown, or decide to venture out, be sure to bust out this guide as an aid to pulling up to all the best black-owned dining, shopping, beauty, and even philanthropic spots that Chicago has to offer. We'll see you in the Windy City!
Disclaimer: This list is only a guide, and these businesses were selections. It is not a full list of every black owned business in Chicago. Feel free to promote your favorite places that aren't listed, or your favorites that are!
Featured image by Shutterstock
- 11 Places To Buy Black This Season - xoNecole: Women's Interest ... ›
- It Was All A Dream: How A Girl From Chicago's Westside Uses Soul ... ›
- The History Of #BlackOwned Business Signs In Chicago | WBEZ ›
- This Instagram Account Spotlights Chicago's Black-Owned ... ›
- Minority and Women Owned Businesses in Chicago | About ALA ›
- How to Spend a Day in Black-Owned Chicago - Travel Noire ›
- Back to Black: 24 Black-owned restaurants on Chicago's North Side ... ›
- Top 10 Black Owned Companies In Chicago – Preview Chicago ›
- 30 Black Owned Businesses in Chicago | SHOPPE BLACK ›
- 10 Black-Owned Businesses You Should Be Visiting in Chicago ›
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
Courtesy
Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
Courtesy
Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
Courtesy
Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy