The annual “Brilliantly Black Business Awards,” presented by Wintrust Financial Corporation in partnership with the Chicago Urban League, is back!
Beginning Thursday (June 29), local businesses and listeners will have the opportunity to nominate and vote for their favorite Black-owned business in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.
A total of 10 winners will be selected to receive $100,000 of in-kind media on iHeartMedia Chicago radio stations and a small business development cohort from the Chicago Urban League. The categories include restaurants; beauty salons; churches; fashion; medical professionals; day care centers; nightlife; fitness trainers/gyms; financial/insurance; and realtors/brokers.
The contest details are available on each station’s “Brilliantly Black” community resource website: 107.5 WGCI; V103; Inspiration 1390; 93.9 LITE FM; ROCK 95 FIVE; and 103.5 KISS FM.
“I have a personal commitment along with iHeartMedia Chicago to support Black-owned businesses in Chicagoland,” said Matt Scarano, President of iHeartMedia Chicago. “We are providing a tremendous marketing and advertising opportunity for Black-owned businesses to access our station brands with the ‘Brilliantly Black’ Business Awards. We are thrilled to partner with the Chicago Urban League as we continuously work together to support Black-owned businesses in Chicagoland.”
iHeartMedia Chicago launched “Brilliantly Black” in June 2020 as a community resource initiative to support local Black-owned businesses, restaurants and non-profits. Each radio station encouraged listeners to visit its website and enter keyword “brilliant” to get more information about Black-owned businesses and community resources. Since its inception, iHeartMedia Chicago has showcased more than 1400 Black-owned businesses through digital, on-air features and the “Brilliantly Black” Podcast. The “Brilliantly Black” Business Awards were first awarded in 2022.
“Supporting and celebrating Black businesses is vital to the economic health of our communities,” said Kelly Evans, Chicago Urban League Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development. “The League’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is honored to participate in celebrating local Black businesses and the community building that happens when local businesses thrive. We are excited to see what amazing Black businesses live within our neighborhoods and look forward to highlighting the community’s choices.”