QCDC at Work

Empowering Communities Together

Business Development Services 

“I appreciate all that’s offered by QCDC and the work that it takes for the team to do what you do. It serves the business community in an excellent way. Thank you all!”  

– Benita Phipps, Owner, A Lotta Good Stuff Upscale Resale Furniture and More 

Economic Impact: 

• $1.25 MM in Total Capital Under Management with QCDC 
• $1.73 MM in New Capital Investments, Economic Development Grants, Debt, and Owners Equity 
• 10 New Business Starts 
• 8,000+ Sq.Ft. of New Retail Spaces Leased / 10,000+ Sq. Ft. coming in 2026 
• 18,000 Sq.Ft. New development in planning, Shops at BridgePointe, with 7 Letters of Interest for 9,500 sq ft received 
• Retained and secured an increase in funding from private and philanthropic supporters 

Education:

• 12 workshops, information sessions, and resource events hosted 

Build Smart: A Practical Workshop for Commercial Spaces, Canva 101 & 102, Trademark Basics, and Capital and Grant Incentive information sessions to list a few 

• 500+ small business owners and start-up entrepreneurs engaged  

Attendee Feedback:

“I have already recommended other business owners to attend sessions beginning in 2026.”  

– Build Smart, Nov 2025

“…this workshop introduced me to a lot of possibilities…”  

– Canva 101, Feb 2025 

“This was one of the most informative and exciting workshops I have been to in a while.  It was well executed, and the information presented was unique and in depth.  I’m grateful to have attended and looking forward to connecting with the QCDC and the other speakers and attendees to help further our business goals while also supporting the community.”  

– Build Smart, Nov 2025

Welcome New Business Starts:  

• New Business Openings include Laury Bride, Mezze, DixiePura, Nitro Nostalgia, Charley’s Cheesesteaks, Taco Pros, Keller Williams, The Sport House, and Fleurish Chicago 

• Coming soon in 2026, Morrisons and Lilly Pad’s Acai Bar 

• Behind the Business License with BACP, featuring Laury Bride and QCDC, Watch Video 

QCDC Clients:

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to QCDC for their unwavering support for my business. Thank you for spreading the word about my upcoming events and for being there to lend a helping hand. I genuinely appreciate your willingness to assist me and collaborate on new ideas. Your support means the world to me!”                  

–Chef Chloe G., DixiePura Kitchen 

  “Opening my first storefront has been a dream come true, and QCDC has been a true partner in that journey, providing the resources, encouragement, and local support that helped me confidently take this next big step.”   

–Laurie Underwood, Founder & Designer, Laury Bride 

Publications:

• 10K Readers Each Month

• 15 Monthly Small Business Resource Newsletters 

• 14 Small Business Notices, “Biz Alerts” 

• 8 Consumer Newsletters 

• 27 Area-Wide & Customer Attraction Digital Marketing   

Corridor Management:

• 90% of the 2025 Programmed Activities Completed, despite significant programming funding delays in 2025

• 9000+ bags of trash have been collected from the corridors 

• 2304 local business touches and engagement during corridor canvassing 

• 2500+ bags of recycling collected from the corridors 

• New Compacting Solar Trash Cans installed 

Beautification & Corridor Banding: 

• 60 new flower hanging baskets installed & planted 

• 102 new Shop Local Bronzeville banners installed 

• 27 street level flower planters maintained and planted 

CDOT 47^th Street, Phase 1 Corridor Beautification Project 90% Complete 

• QCDC Lead community representation with CDOT, Contractors, and Ward offices.  Results included in weekly progress reports and better management of issues affecting local businesses

• “Businesses Open During Construction” signage posted to encourage continued consumer traffic  

“QCDC was instrumental in keeping our office and the corridor businesses current on the 47^th Street Streetscape improvement project.  Their navigation of multiple city departments and Ward offices contributed to the success of this important infrastructure investment in our community.”  

– Pat Dowell, 3^rd Ward, Alderman & Chairwoman

“It’s been great having QCDC as a community partner throughout the 47^th Street streetscape project. Their partnership on weekly construction status calls, as well as their role as a liaison to the affected businesses and property owners, has been invaluable. We’ve especially appreciated their attention to detail, clear and consistent communication, and their proactive approach in raising and addressing concerns on behalf of the broader business community.”                             

– Jacob Lichtenegger, Construction Engineer/Inspector Manager, AECOM 

Area-Wide Marketing and Community Promotions:  

QCDC is well known for the events and campaigns its “powers” annually.  All of these events are created and designed to uplift Community, Culture, and Commerce in Bronzeville, Where Culture Lives… 2025 included Fall in Love with Bronzeville, Bronzeville Summer Nights, and Holidays in Bronzeville. 

• 86 Participating Businesses, local brick-n-mortar and pop-up vendors 

• 5.5K+ Attendees, residents, visitors and consumers 

• 26 Businesses Procured as vendors, entertainers, suppliers and consultants 

• 24K Bronzeville residents reached by a USPS door-to-door mailing, 60653 and 60615 zip codes  

• 20+ Media Placements, Print, TV, Digital, and Radio 

Client Feedback:

“I just relocated back to my hometown of Chicago after a 40-year absence, other than periodic visits. Experiencing BSN as one of my first neighborhood events was WONDERFUL. What a great homecoming event it was for me.” 

– Chloe, July 2025 

“A wonderful experience to enjoy and try something different you may have never tried or bought.”  

– Katherine, October 2025 

• Bronzeville Business Corridors Community Cleanups Initiative. 
  • Six-monthly community cleanup events  
  • 880 pounds of trash and waste  
  • 44 volunteers from 8 organizations
  • Bronzeville Black Metropolis National Heritage Area
  • Bronzeville Trail Task Force, Build Bronzeville, Centers for New Horizons, 2^nd District Chicago Police Department, Emerald South Collab, P3 Markets, New Community Outreach and Milhouse Charities 

Collaborations, Partnerships & Community Engagement 

“To fully support Chicago’s small business community and grow the ecosystem, true collaboration and partnership are needed. QCDC continues to be a partner that shows up.”

–Elliot Richardson, SBAC

Advisory, Ad Hoc, and Planning Committees: 

• Go Hub Bronzeville (TGHB), Equicity  

• Bronzeville State-Designated Cultural District 

• Black Metropolis National Heritage Area 

• Bronzeville Trail Task Force, Inc. 

• ComEd Community Council 

• Bronzeville Northwestern Outpatient Center 

• Wells Fargo Small Business Community Engagement 

Community and Programming Collaborations:

• Shared Purchasing Network, Emerald South Collab & Obama Presidential Center 

• District Business Public Safety initiative with CPD 2^nd District Community Policing, Alderman Dowell/3^rd Ward, Alderman Robinson/4^th, Emerald South Collab/Terra Fir, DIVVY, and CDOT

• Small Business Education: Uptown United, Build Bronzeville SBDC, Illinois Restaurant Association, Choose Chicago 

• Advocacy, Policy, and Legislative Collaborations: Neighborhood Revitalization Coalition (NRC), Commercial Corridor Collaborative (C3) 
• Capital and Funding Providers:  Chicago Community Loan Fund, Department of Planning and Development, Greenwood Archer Capital, Pursuit Lending, and Somercor

Community Events:

• One Earth Film Festival, Organic Oneness  

• Ida B. Wells Fest 

• 3rd Ward Resource Fair 
• Richard Hunt Plaque Unveiling 

Arts, Recreation, & Culture 

We support arts & culture across the City and Bronzeville while fostering community engagement, creativity, and wellness. 

Youth Engagement: 

Bronzeville Green Youth Initiative:  

• 98 Youth participants, grades 3^rd to 12th 

• 3 Public CPS Schools: Bronzeville Classical Elementary, Jackie Robinson Elementary, and King Prep High School 

• 1 Local Business retained to facilitate, Collective Learning Lab 

• 3 Local Leaders as Guest Speakers, with related professional backgrounds 

• 400 lb. Trash picked up 

Recreation and Green Space 

• Park 43 Beautification with New Community Outreach’s Youth Summer Leadership Program 

Other Accomplishments

• 1 of 4 Finalists for the Chicago Prize, $10MM redevelopment grant – Watch ABC7 Video 

• Featured in BACP Behind the License series with Laury Bride

• Retained and secured an increase in funding from private and philanthropic supporters 

• Increased number of Board Directors

Funders