Chicago's economic landscape is experiencing a surge in community-led revitalization, driven by an initiative that aims to lift Black and Latinx neighborhoods from the doldrums of the pandemic's impact. According to the Chicago Tribune, "We Rise Together: For an Equitable and Just Recovery," a program operated by the Chicago Community Trust, has invested over $38 million in 35 neighborhood real estate projects since September 2021. This initiative not only bolsters existing businesses but also lights up new opportunities like Justice of the Pies in Avalon Park and Studio Yogi in South Shore.
Community efforts have transformed theoretical rhetoric into solid gains. The Greater Chatham Initiative has reaped the benefits, channeling funds into "Soul Delivered," a community-based restaurant delivery service aimed to put profits directly back into the hands of local restaurateurs, an effort distinct from third-party services that often slice into revenue. According to the We Rise Together website, the program has already supported seven restaurants, with ten more slated to join. Meanwhile, Studio Yogi, another project recipient, is eyeing growth as it welcomes diverse clientele from across Chicago, with plans to deepen its roots in its South Shore neighborhood.
The economic multiplier effect is tangible, as seen in the Austin area's credit card spending after the inauguration of the North Austin Community Center. "After seven months of the community center opening, businesses within a mile of the site saw a nearly $1.8 million spike in consumer spending," Christen Wiggins, program director of We Rise Together, told the Chicago Tribune. A striking testament to the potential of concentrated community investment, the kind of calculus that has long been overdue in these parts.
Plans for continuance and expansion of support are clear. The Greater Chatham Initiative not only forwards economic engagement through delivery services but also sharpens the culinary edge of local restaurateurs with FoodLab Chicago's workshops. A day-long training seeking to enhance marketing strategies led to increased revenue of up to 38 percent for participants. As the Greater Chatham Initiative executive director Nedra Sims Fears highlighted, We Rise Together's backing enables a "holistic model of profitability," which is crucial for sustained growth of local businesses.
The impact of We Rise Together goes beyond the individual success stories—it is revamping a swath of Chicago's urban terrain. With commitments to disperse around $50 million by its conclusion, the initiative presses on with the philosophy that fostering local economies is not a matter of charity but an investment in the city's shared destiny—where when one community ascends, the ripple is felt across Chicago's broad shoulders.
