In Chicago, faith leaders are turning Sunday morning influence into weekday economic clout. Spearheaded by Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates and civic partners, the “Spend in the Black” initiative brings hundreds of shoppers to South Side commercial corridors, lining the streets with over 100 Black-owned vendors. As corporate DEI rollbacks leave small enterprises searching for steady footing, this faith-led movement proves that intentional community spending is the most durable path to building generational wealth.
A Chicago church is urging residents to spend with intention — and rebuild Black wealth block by block.
On a stretch of 75th Street long known for its legacy of Black entrepreneurship, a South Side megachurch is urging residents to rethink how and where they spend their money. It’s not the first time.
On April 4, Salem Baptist Church of Chicago is once again co-hosting “Spend in the Black,” a faith-driven economic initiative designed to channel consumer dollars into Black-owned businesses and rebuild what organizers call “the Black dollar.”…