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.
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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!
SHOPPING
Featured image by Shutterstock
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By the time she turned 40, she had encountered her breaking point and spiraled so deeply that she saw no way out for herself aside from death. She went on to say that she heard voices in her head telling her to end her life and that told her of her unworthiness, pulling her deeper into her depression. "I started looking for places, cliffs where I could have an accident because I didn't want my kids to think that their mother had committed suicide.”
Jada credited friends of her son Jaden for putting her on to ayahuasca, a powerful and traditional plant-based brew used for shamanic and healing rituals known for its psychoactive properties. She said partaking in ayahuasca changed her profoundly and "the suicidal thoughts completely went away."
"Ayahuasca helped me, it gave me a new intimate relationship with myself that I had never had before," she told the outlet about her first time taking the psychedelic. Keep reading for more key takeaways from Jada's PEOPLE exclusive.
Jada Pinkett Smith on the status of her marriage to Will Smith:
In what might have been a shocking revelation to most, Jada revealed to the world that she and Will have actually been separated for the past six years, going on seven years. She explained the status of their 26-year marriage to PEOPLE:
“We’re still figuring it out. We’ve been doing some really heavy-duty work together. We just got deep love for each other and we are going to figure out what that looks like for us.”
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Jada on how her relationship with Will Smith caused her to abandon her mental health:
As her star in Hollywood was rising thanks to starring roles in projects like A Different World, Jason's Lyric, and Set It Off, Jada revealed that she was taking Prozac and being treated for depression and suicidal ideation. Meeting Will would cause her to develop a false sense of not needing to take care of her mental health.
"Once I met Will, I completely abandoned my mental health. I was so intoxicated by him and our dynamic. I really felt like I'm cured," she said to PEOPLE. "He became the drug."
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Jada Pinkett Smith on the self-acceptance her kids have taught her:
"My children, they’re little gurus," she told the mag of her kids, bonus son Trey, 30, Jaden, 25, and Willow, 22. "They’ve taught me a deep sense of self-acceptance.”
“They love every part of me. The level of love, unconditional love that they have for me and their dad. And it's one thing to want to be the person that gives that unconditional love. And then there's, to be the recipient of that.”
For the full cover story and photos, head over to PEOPLE here.
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Featured image by Amy Sussman/WireImage
