Arts + Public Life (APL) an initiative of the University of Chicago announced their 2023 L1 Creative Entrepreneurship Fellowship Cohort. This year’s Cohort includes small-business owners, Samantha Jo of Balm Yard, Jamica Harper of Red Elephant Candle Co., and Keyon Huggins of Hyde & Park Co.
Samantha Jo and her brand “Balm Yard,” stocks a range of medicinal herbs, spiritual amulets, and other products used for remedies. Jo believes in the power of nature and its ability to bring healing that is both subtle and powerful. From oils to attract luck, candles to light up an altar, or incense to induce peace - Balm Yard has something for everyone's individual needs. Samantha also founded The Aura House in 2017, a nonprofit that provides mental health resources for Black & Brown women of all ages in Chicago. The Aura House aims to provide the tools and resources necessary for women to share their stories, build meaningful relationships with each other, and learn valuable skills that will help them become empowered in their lives. Samantha is a descendant of the Gullah Geechee Culture on her father’s side and reconnected with her ancestry during the pandemic. Her Great-grandfather was known as a medicine man and had a black book full of recipes. It was then that she learned the shared history of spiritual practitioners in her family. “In reconnecting with my father and reconnecting and relearning my father's family's history, I felt like I had something to connect to spiritually and that furthered my healing. I was connecting with my ancestors and so creating these blends that are wonderful for your skin but I’m also able to use everything spiritually and physically and I want to spark that interest in other people”.
Red Elephant Candle Company by Jamica Harper, produces soy handmade wooden wick candles that are blended with natural components such as lavender, sage, peppermint, ylang, Rose Otto, Clary Sage, etc. The hand-poured candles are made with the intention to focus on healing, relaxation, breathing, mental cleansing, or simply warm your space.
Hyde & Park Co. by Keyon Huggins is a candle and home fragrance company that amplifies unisex scents and minimalist vessels. Each product is hand poured and measured in small batches to ensure the utmost quality. Huggins is dedicated to providing modern scents for the modern home.
L1 is a hybrid creative business accelerator program intended to strengthen the capacity of the Chicago South Side’s cultural sector and remove barriers to entry. Framed as an evolution of Arts + Public Life’s Vends + Vibes (a holiday marketplace), L1 is intended for ready-to-scale small business owners who have already developed a customer base and product line that is relevant to or well-received by Chicago South Side consumers.
"I am absolutely thrilled about the arrival of the L1 Creative Entrepreneurship 2023 Fellowship Cohort. They represent a remarkable group of small business creatives that bring a unique and vibrant energy to the South Side of Chicago. This cohort in particular are our neighbors. They each live in the Washington Park and Hyde Park area. Their entrepreneurial spirit and creative vision are sure to ignite positive change and inspire others in the community to pursue their dreams with passion and dedication," said Fabiola Ramírez, Associate Director of Creative Entrepreneurship and Operations at APL.
Launched in Aug. 2020, L1 is located inside of the historic first “L” station, built in 1892 along Garfield Boulevard in Washington Park, and operated and managed by Arts + Public Life. The Creative Business Accelerator program provides both a 10-month fellowship and 700 square feet of shared brick-and-mortar retail space. During their 10-month fellowship, L1 fellows receive subsidized retail space, elevation-focused mentorship, and extensive training and educational resources from seasoned experts, tailored to the selected businesses’ needs. They also receive guidance on business strategy, management, leadership, social responsibility, sales, marketing, brand positioning, finance, and business law developed in partnership with Proximity, the urban planning and social impact arm of The Silver Room Foundation, plus resources and collaboration with the UChicago Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Eric Williams, owner of the Silver Room and lead of the Silver Room Foundation, said the jury looked at a number of factors such as their business model, packaging, professionalism and how they can scale their business in determining this year’s Cohort.
"I am filled with enthusiasm to reopen the L1 store and have the opportunity to work alongside and mentor Black small business owners. It's a chance to not only help individuals achieve their dreams but to also contribute to the growth and success of the community as a whole." -Eric Williams
Williams says Proximity, the social impact arm of the Silver Room Foundation seeks to help support local business owners and provide opportunities to help contribute to their growth and success. “I started by asking the question, How can I assist other people in this process? I wanted to give other entrepreneurs and creatives resources and access to tools and the things I didn’t have when I began as an entrepreneur.”
Williams also owns the Bronzeville Winery, a Black-owned eatery, wine bar, and cultural space opened in a larger development known as "440 Grove". Mayor Lightfoot’s Invest South/West initiative and money from the Neighborhood Opportunity fund provided financing for the project. Williams said he hopes the next mayor provides support and resources to support entrepreneurs and small business owners. “The Invest South/West initiative was a perfect example of how public city funding can help private businesses. Small businesses create communities.”
L1 is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday 11am-7pm starting March 17th. Items are also available for purchase online at www.shopL1.org.
Danielle Sanders is a multimedia professional with over 20 years of experience as a writer, journalist, and editor. Danielle frequently covers politics, local news, and entertainment.