Artist and nationally-published illustrator, Otis Richardson, owner of Lavenderpop Greeting Cards, a black and Chicago based themed greeting cards company has partnered with Jewel-Osco becoming the first independent and Black-owned greeting card line in the store chain’s 100-year history.  Richardson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from South Carolina State University and a Masters of Fine Arts in Media from Northern Illinois University.  Lavenderpop Greeting Cards range from Happy Birthday (House Music, Chicago Style Hot Dog, Chicago Mix Popcorn), Get Well, Relationships, Sympathy, and much more.
“I think it’s great that corporations and the public are being very intentional about supporting Black businesses. I want people to know that my deal with Jewel-Osco was confirmed in 2019, so Jewel was actually ahead of the game when it comes to supporting me as a Black entrepreneur,” Richardson said in a news release. “The executives at Jewel-Osco have been fantastic in assisting me through the process of becoming a certified vendor. The store managers and staff have welcomed the card line and offered me a lot of support and encouragement,” Richardson told CBS Chicago.
Richardson’s illustrations have been seen in Windy City Times LGBTQ-oriented newspaper, the book “Out and Proud in Chicago and Sophisticates Black Hair Care magazine.  His recent drawing of house music DJ Frankie Knuckles appeared in the fundraising color book for the Chicago Reader. His paintings have been exhibited in exhibitions sponsored by the Museum of Science and Industry, Stony Island Arts Bank, Hyde Park Arts Center, and the Stone Arts Supply.
Lavenderpop Greeting Cards are displayed in the greeting cards section or floral section at the following Jewel-Osco stores:
7036 Roosevelt Road, Oak Park
443 E. 34th Street, Chicago
7530 S. Stony Island Avenue, Chicago
87 W. 87th Street, Chicago
9400 S. Ashland Avenue, Chicago
1655 E. 95th Street, Chicago
11730 S. Marshfield Avenue, Chicago
1220 S. Ashland Avenue, Chicago
17705 S. Halsted Street, Homewood
3153 W. 183rd Street, Homewood
To support Otis Richardson, please follow these links:
- Website: lavenderpop.com/
- Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LavenderpopCards
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lavenderpop-Greeting-Cards-297117733332
- Instagram: @lavenderpop
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LavenderpopCard
Tammy Gibson is a travel historian and blogger. Find her at www.sankofatravelher.com, Facebook, Instagram @SankofaTravelher, and Twitter @SankofaTravelHr.
About Post Author
