Entrepreneur, Julius Dorsey, featured on WGN

Spotlight Chicago loves to share untold stories about independent artists, crafters, and small business owners. They recently highlighted Chicago furniture designer and entrepreneur Julius Dorsey, founder of Chicago Fire Furniture, who incorporates the use of fire in his designs.

Julius designed the hand-crafted tables and bar in Overflow Coffee, as well as the incredible art piece featured on Overflow's wall. Julius' designs also grace Mox.E Coworking, most notably in the Soderquist Conference Room.

We're proud to support Chicago Fire Furniture and congratulate Julius on his recognition.

ChicagoFireFurniture.com

Instagram: @FireFurniture

Spotlight Chicago airs weekdays on WGN from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO

Gaining Traction with Professional EOS Implementor, Malik Khan

With his extensive knowledge of entrepreneurship, Malik Khan–a seasoned leader, entrepreneurial coach, and EOS facilitator–has assisted more than 100 entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and accomplishing their objectives. Having experienced the challenges of the entrepreneurial journey firsthand, Malik is deeply dedicated to helping entrepreneurs overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.

After being referred by a committed supporter of Entrenuity, our team had the privilege of meeting Malik during the summer and discovering the wonders of EOS. With Malik's exceptional facilitation, the leadership at Entrenuity has been diligently working through the six core components of EOS and is now beginning to implement them with the entire team. We are thrilled about the progress we are making as an organization and are determined to enhance our focus and effectiveness as we approach our 25th year of operations.

CLICK HERE For more information about EOS or check out the About section on Malik's LinkedIn profile to learn how to connect with him directly.

Julius Dorsey: Goddess of the Lost Tribe

(Click on image to watch video. Photo/video credit to @imagerybychioma.)

Julius Dorsey III 
Goddess of the Lost Tribe
2021
Wood, nails, and paint on board
48 x 96 inches 

Entrenuity was honored to install a stunning work of art created by Julius Dorsey III, founder of Chicago Fire Furniture. Julius' work, Goddess of the Lost Tribe, is displayed inside @overflowchicago, where his custom-designed tabletops, shelving, and bar cladding already distinguish the space.

Dorsey’s portrait Goddess of the lost Tribe can be read both as a tribute to black women and a narrative on his relationship between beliefs and idolatry. The work was done while Dorsey was contemplating ideas about how value is created and based on the likeness of Christina, the mother of his children, wearing her trademark golden bamboo hoop earnings.  The Goddess gazes out with unwavering confidence, bedazzling the viewer with her golden crown and a jewel in the center of her forehead insinuating power, both requested and willingly surrendered.  

The piece thus captures multiple layers of meaning: how beliefs ultimately become power and how this dynamic manifests in relationships between black women and men.

CLICK HERE to find out more about Julius' artistic journey.

@firefurniture

VISION OUTREACH: Shaunte Brewer

Determined to be the change she wanted to see in the world, pastor, educator, and urban farmer Shaunte Brewer founded @VISIONOutreach. With just a vision and an initial donation of $50, Shaunte stepped out on faith with great conviction that she could make a difference in the lives of Chicago youth.

VISION Outreach is a youth-focused community outreach program with the sole purpose of helping the youth of Chicago and surrounding areas progress and excel. VISION's mission is to provide a morale boost to youth--installing hope, optimism, inspiration, and positive practices in their lives. The organization seeks to empower youth by providing education, inspiration, and revelation. ​

The pandemic sparked a shift in Shaunte's personal and professional life. While she missed being in the classroom with Chicago youth, she enjoyed documenting her journey of transforming her personal backyard into a mini urban farm and becoming a certified urban farmer. Shaunte is pleased to be back in the classroom and has added urban agriculture to VISION Outreach's programming with VISION Urban Ag.

VISION Urban Ag brings tangible results to school communities, providing youth a sense of agency and empowerment to change the landscape of their school community as well as improve their mental and physical health. Participants learn life skills that assist in the fight against food insecurity, economic disadvantages, childhood obesity, and poor eating habits. 

Shaunte receives business and leadership coaching from Entrenuity founder L. Brian Jenkins, focusing on effective pricing strategies for VISION Outreach. She was also the focus of a recent collegiate article highlighting her work in Chicago.

>>>visionoutreach.org               

>>>There's Room to Grow, by Gina Lee Castro

VIDEO: Black & Latino Excellence Investment Summit

World Business Chicago, in partnership with CIBC and SomerCor, presents the inaugural Black and Latino Excellence Investment Summit. The first cohort program connected 11 business owners from the city’s South and West sides interested in scaling their operations with the key ingredient crucial for success—technical assistance resources and solid connections to banks, funders, and available grants.

Local banks, CDFIs, and Angel Investors all worked hard with their partnered businesses to explore growth and expansion opportunities as well as access to capital. Some businesses were aided with debt refinancing, mentorship for expansion, and assistance with future projects and initiatives.

Overflow Coffee was one of the participating businesses and L. Brian Jenkins had the opportunity to share the Entrenuity story with the audience and affirm the importance of BLEIS and other programs that connect minority business owners with access to capital resources, particularly relationships with funders and investors.

Overflow Coffee earned a shout-out from SomerCor President & CEO, Manny Flores on WGN’s People to People program with Micah Materre, as well as an interview with CBS Chicago.

Special thanks to the Mayor's Office, LaForce Baker and the Community Impact Team at WBC, and the participating partners and sponsors who made this program not only possible but a priority.

>>>WGN Clip

>>>CBS News Clip (aired 06-22-22 at 10 pm)

LEGENDARY REFLECTION

Jennifer L. Hodges
Legendary Reflection
Mixed Media
10ft X 2ft
2022

ARTIST STATEMENT

@iamjhodgesart

Through my abstract work of art, I intend to capture and give voice to the myriad aspects of the human experience. My work represents a contemporary exploration of the Black experience with a spotlight on the various aspects of Black femininity. I intend to evoke feelings, stimulate thought and enhance ambiance. My work is a place for me to explore without boundaries, relish in liberated creativity and challenge thought, education and experience. It is my voice captured in one moment, and on one canvas in time. I draw creative inspiration from the metaphysical, psychology, and spirituality. My choice of color combination and texture through mixed media aims to inspire spirituality, cultural connection, and an overall sensory connection for the viewer, making them feel represented in the work of art.

Legendary Reflection is an extension of Jennifer’s Beauty In Darkness Series, which represents the individuality, beauty, and resilience of Black American experiences.

Legendary Reflection honors Overflow Coffee’s history as the former home of Vee-Jay Records. The art is comprised of original records broken and assembled on the canvas along with authentic piano rods, guitar strings, sheet music, bamboo paper, mesh, hemp string, and wire. Recoding artists who released hits on the Vee-Jay label are featured in the art, including Jerry Butler, The Beatles, Betty Everett, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and the Dells.