The Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative generates community wealth and amplifies local culture through shared pride, power, and investment for Chicago's mid-South Side.

OUR VISION

The Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative generates community wealth and amplifies local culture through shared pride, power, and investment for Chicago's mid-South Side.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to attract and coordinate investment through community convening and collaborative partnerships that increase local ownership and prosperity.

our values

South Shore Cultural Center

Peach’s at Currency Exchange Café — Mayor Lightfoot with community members at Currency Exchange Café

Artist Dorian Sylvain preparing for upcoming mural at 71st and Jeffery

Steinbrecher_Emerald_South Shore-BLM Mural_071820_S023T.jpg

Our team

STAFF

Ghian Foreman

Demetri Alexakos

Demetri Alexakos

Alice McLean

Marcheta Pope

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael Strautmanis

Michael Strautmanis

Rev. Torrey Barrett

Rev. Torrey Barrett

Marc B. Brooks

Shayne Evans

Elizabeth Gardner

Elizabeth Gardner

Stephanie Green

Stephanie Green

Jacky Grimshaw

Joel Hamernick

Calvin Holmes

Rev. Jesse Knox, III

Phaedra Leslie

Kimberly Lewis

Donald McGruder

Donald McGruder

Dawveed Scully

Susan Sher

Cory L. Thames

Hubert O. Thompson

Hubert O. Thompson

Father Richard Tolliver

Father Richard Tolliver

Charise Williams

Charise Williams

Charles Young

Our Partners

Elevated Chicago

#TBT Mayor Lightfoot visited with local business owners and residents throughout our communities back in January.
Locations:

The Quarry Event Center
@thequarryeventcenter
2324 E. 75th Street

Peaches at Currency Exchange Cafe
@peaches_exchange
305 E. Garfield Blvd.

The Green Living Room
@blacksingreen
6431-33 South Cottage Grove

Sunshine Enterprises
@sunshine_enterprises
503 East 61st Street

Anthony Overton School
221 East 49th Street

#EmeraldSouth
#MayorLightfoot
#SharedPower
#SharedPride
#SharedInvestment
#ChicagoStrong 📸: @sandysteinbrecherphotography

#DidYouKnow that one of the oldest Black-owned business in the country is in Chicago?! Parker House Sausage Company was started in 1919 and is located at 46th and State St. #hegottherecipefromhismama

#BlackOwned
#Chicago
#buyBlack
#smallbusiness
#shoplocalbusiness
#buyblackowned
#midsoutheats
#bronzeville
#momsrecipe
#shoplocalchicago
#BlackBusiness
#ParkerHouse
#EmeraldSouth 📸: @sandysteinbrecherphotography

A scene from a water and food giveaway in #Woodlawn at #TheGreenLivingRoom.
When the community comes together to help lend a hand, we all benefit. Join them for another giveaway this Saturday, June 26 from 12p-2pm. Come out!

Visit @BlacksInGreen to learn more about their mission to increase access to water for everyone.

#ItTakesAVillage
#EachOneReachOne
#StrongerTogether
#InThisTogether
#BlacksInGreen
#TheGreenLivingRoom
#EmeraldSouth 📸@sandysteinbrecherphotography

The lakefront is open! 🏃🏾‍♂️🚴‍♀️🤸🏿‍♀️ Summertime Chi has finally arrived. Enjoy and be safe, Chicago!

#MondayMotivation
#findyourzen
#breathedeep
#chicagolakefront
#Bike
#Run
#Walk
#BlackJoy
#SummerSavor
#EmeraldSouth

Photo credit: @NBCChicago

Via @ChicagosMayor
LAKEFRONT TRAIL IS OPEN: The Lakefront Trail and 606 have reopened for exercise and transit with safety precautions in place to protect our residents. Make sure to maintain a safe physical distance between yourself and your fellow Chicagoans.

Any time or any season, we love seeing happy dads and smiling children! #HappyFathersDay to Stacey from #WashingtonPark and ALL the dads out there.
Enjoy your day!
#GirlDad
#DadLife
#Fathers
#Daughters
#BlackJoy
#FathersAndDaughters
#FathersAndSons
#EmeraldSouth
📸: @sandysteinbrecherphotography

O, let America be America again
—The land that never has been yet
—And yet must be—the land where every man is free.
- Langston Hughes

#EmeraldSouth
#Juneteenth
#BlackJoy
#StrongerTogether
#ChicagoStories