Black-owned businesses to be showcased at Spend in the Black event at 75th and King to support the creation of a Black Wall Street in Chicago.

CHICAGO (WLS) — There is a push on Saturday to transform 75th Street into a “Black Wall Street.”

Spend in the Black is a national movement, simply encouraging people to shop at Black-owned businesses over Easter weekend.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Representing the 6th Ward, Ald. William Hall and Dr. Charlie Dates, the pastor of Progressive and Salem Baptist churches, are at the forefront of this local initiative.

More than 50 businesses will be set up on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 75th and King Drive, showcasing their goods and services.

This movement is part of a larger trend where religious leaders are utilizing their influence to challenge companies retracting from diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

In fact, that is what Dates is doing: encouraging his congregation to shop at Black-owned businesses and not major retailers.

Shoppers will also be eligible to win $1,000 every hour. That money is put into an emergency savings account.

All are welcome to attend the Spend in the Black event. It begins at 10 a.m. at 75th and King Drive.

More details can be found here: https://www.progressivechicago.org/events/spend-in-the-black