iHeartMedia Chicago’s 107.5 WGCI, Chicago’s #1 for Hip-Hop R&B; V103, Today’s R&B and Throwbacks; Inspiration 1390, Music of Power & Praise; 93.9 LITE FM, Relaxing Favorites, ROCK 95 FIVE Chicago’s Rock Station; and 103.5 KISS FM, Chicago’s #1 Hit Music Station, announced today the “Brilliantly Black Business Awards” in partnership with the Chicago Urban League in commemoration of Juneteenth.
In June 2020, iHeartMedia Chicago launched “Brilliantly Black” 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 1200 Black-owned businesses through digital, on-air features and the “Brilliantly Black” Podcast.
Beginning June 16th, 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 ten 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. The winners will be announced on August 2, 2022, during National Black Business Month.
“The empowerment and development of Black-owned businesses is essential to a thriving local community,” said Matt Scarano, President of iHeartMedia Chicago. “iHeartMedia Chicago was the first to the launch the ‘Brilliantly Black’ community resource initiative in 2020. We are excited to take it to next level with the ‘Brilliantly Black Business Awards’ to enhance the marketing and advertising of Black-owned businesses in our community. We are also proud of our long-standing partnership with the Chicago Urban League and their willingness to provide small business master-level educational training for the award recipients.”
“We, at the Chicago Urban League, are honored to partner with iHeartMedia Chicago as we celebrate all local Black businesses,” said Kelly Evans, VP of Entrepreneurship & Innovation of the Chicago Urban League. “It is imperative that we continue to create a space to recognize, lift up and support the changemakers who are truly making a difference in our communities. We continue to be committed to closing the racial wealth gap in not only Chicago, but across the country, and the ‘Brilliantly Black Business Awards’ is a nod to the business owners who are actively achieving that goal.”
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