Chicago is one of the most exciting cities in the U.S. on an ordinary day. However, as the official host city of the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC), the bustling metropolis is preparing for an influx of visitors and an increase in traffic to local Black and queer-owned businesses.
Based on the economic boom experienced by previous host cities, the DNC is expected to generate between $150 and $200 million for Chicago’s economy. While corporate entities are expected to see an uptick in revenue, small minority-owned businesses across the city, with assistance from the DNC, also hope to benefit.
“Creating long-term investments into historically disinvested and majority-Black communities is crucial to creating equity in a city where access to financial resources is anything but,” reports Corli Jay, a journalist at the Chicago-based Black independent media outlet The Triibe. “The DNC Host Committee has tapped minority-owned businesses to help with contracting and hiring around the event and continues to reach out for volunteers to represent their respective communities.”
One of Chicago’s minority-owned establishments on GLAAD’s List of Five Black and Queer-Owned Businesses You Should Visit During The 2024 DNC is Nobody’s Darling.
Nobody’s Darling
Located in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, Nobody’s Darling is owned by Black lesbian owners Angela and Renauda. Their vision to create a laid-back and sexy space where guests can experience delicious cocktails on demand is realized weekly. Inspired by iconic women of color, the drink menu bears names such as Eartha, Nina Simone, the A. Walker Summer Martini and the Kincaid Daiquiri.
“Chicago is a city filled with beautiful people & vibrant neighborhoods,” said Anna DeShawn, Black lesbian host of the Queer News Podcast and a Chicago native. “With that said, we still have a need for more brick & mortar spaces serving Black queer folks across the city. So when Nobody’s Darling opened, founded by two Black lesbians, it reminded us that this is possible for us too. They help make the city a truly special place.”
Location
1744 W. Balmoral Ave., Chicago IL 60640
Phone: (773) 654-3345
Brown Sugar Bakery
A 2019 James Beard Award Nominee, Brown Sugar Baker, located in Chicago’s Grand Crossing neighborhood, is the solution to all of your dessert cravings. The popular bakery is under the helm of Stephanie Hart, a visionary trailblazer who serves not only a symphony of delectable treats but is making history as the first and only Black woman-owned chocolate manufacturer in the United States. The Obama Cake is a testament to the bakery’s artistry, harmonizing red velvet, chocolate, and yellow cake layers with cream cheese frosting, chocolate drizzle, and pecans.
Location
328 E 75th Street, Chicago, IL 60619
Phone: (773) 224-6262
Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club
“Old Hollywood meets South Beach” is how co-owner Ramesh Ariyanayakam describes the Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club. Dinner and drag are on the menu every night, featuring the world-famous Kit Kat Divas. The shows run every 20 minutes from 6 pm until midnight. The drag artists perform “tableside” throughout the restaurant, providing an interactive experience for guests. The vibrant sidewalk patio in the heart of North Halsted is perfect for warmer months and is known as one of the best-kept secrets for summer dining in the neighborhood.
Location
3700 N. Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60613
Phone: (773) 525-1111
Williams Inn Pizza & Sports Bar
Established in 1969 as a family-operated and owned business, Williams Inn Pizza & Sports Bar is the go-to spot for Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza. The full-service restaurant and bar also serves handmade burgers, Italian beef, and chicken wings. Their hours of operation, from noon until 11 pm, have positioned the thriving business created by Lulu Williams, a single mother of seven, to be uniquely positioned to serve both the lunchtime and nightlife crowds. Guests will experience Williams’ pizza dough recipe along with a secret sauce and sausage flavor combination.
Location
2210 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: (312) 753-3108
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
Named in honor of the Haitian-born founder of Chicago, Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable, The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is the nation’s oldest independent African American Museum. In 1961, with a few dedicated colleagues and a dream, Dr. Margaret Taylor Burroughs and Charles Burroughs founded the Museum on the ground floor of their home.
“The DuSable is a convener, a point of connection, and a place where difficult conversations lead to reconciliation and renewal. And, as a beacon of strength and a refuge of reason, the Museum is a vital part of a socially equitable reconciliation of our nation’s historic divisions,” according to the Museum’s website.
The Dusable Black History Museum and Education Center contains over 15,000 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, print works, and historical memorabilia.
Location
740 East 56th Place, Chicago, Illinois 60637
Phone: (773) 947-0600