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Chicagoans again protested systemic racism over the weekend — a massive crowd gathered Sunday in Boystown focused on transphobic violence and police brutality. As demonstrators hit the streets, several initiatives have launched to help African-American businesses and charity groups. Black People Eats, a website that promotes Black businesses, has brought in more than 70 restaurants to offer Friday specials to celebrate Juneteenth. Meanwhile, a few of Chicago’s top bakers — with the support of well known restaurants like Elizabeth and Honey Butter Fried Chicken — are participating in a nationwide effort staring Monday that raises money for organizations helping marginalized groups.
Juneteenth started on June 19, 1865 and it’s a day to celebrate the emancipation of slaves. This year, more and more American businesses are observing the holiday. Black People Eats, which hosts one of Chicago’s more detailed database of restaurants owned by African Americans, is getting restaurants to offer $6.19 specials from Friday through Sunday. They’ll release a full list of restaurants by Wednesday and are still looking to add more.
The website has also raised $72,000 for African-American restaurants that were damaged by looters. They’re taking applications to distribute that money, taking the first 40 which applied. Black People Eats founder Jeremy Joyce says applications for the fund close Tuesday and they’ll announce winners on Friday.
Meanwhile, a few Chicago bakers are participating in Bakers Against Racism, a nationwide effort that launched in Washington, D.C. The concept is to hold a “virtual bake sale.” Bakers sell their own items and then donate that money to a worth cause.
Locally, Eve Studnicka, of the Dinner at the Grotto pop-up, and Kristi Isn’t, the sous chef at Michelin-starred Elizabeth, have teamed up to offer a $40 box of pastries that will be available starting at 10 a.m. Monday via Tock. Customers can pick up the pastries Saturday at Elizabeth. Proceeds will benefit the Brace Space Alliance.
Sunday Dinner Club (run by Honey Butter Fried Chicken’s owners) sous chef Alex Skrzypczyk is offering a $25 pastry box that will go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday via SDC’s Tock page. proceeds will also benefit Brave Space Alliance. Brian Greene of acclaimed pie slinger Bang Bang Pies, is also selling peanut butter pies with Skrzypczyk. A few other local home bakers also participating.
Brave Space Alliance is the ”first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ Center located on the South Side of Chicago.” Violence against African Americans in the transgender community is often ovelrooked.
“I think one of the things we’re seeing now is the call to reimagine how care systems can better serve oppressed people, and Brave Space Alliance is already doing that work for Black and Brown LGBTQ folks,” Studnicka says. “That’s why we felt that it was important to support them.”
Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises’s Summer House Santa Monica is also participating. Customers can order a roasted strawberry cheesecake bar until 2 p.m. Wednesday. Proceeds go to The Conscious Kid. Order for Saturday pickup via Tock.
