The Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce is asking the village for help to fund two new initiatives: a First Fridays Street Festival Series and a Black and Latine Business Support Network.
The street festivals would take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the first Friday of July, August, September and October, rotating between four business districts. Those include Chicago East, Madison, Southtown and Pleasant.
The Black and Latine Business Support Network is intended to uplift both new and established Black and Latine-owned businesses. The eight-month program would provide education and networking opportunities.
Trustees said they were supportive of both initiatives during their Nov. 12 meeting. Trustees directed village staff to save room in the 2025 budget for the initiatives and are expected to further hash out details early in the new year.
First Fridays Street Festival Series
Chamber Executive Director Darien Marion-Burton said the street festival series would feature live entertainment, local business or nearby home-based business vendor tables and family-friendly activities.
The goals of this festival series, Marion-Burton told the village board, are to strengthen relationships between neighborhoods and business districts and to support the village’s economic vitality work.
The idea is that the festivals will create a “regular community gathering that encourages participation from diverse residents,” according to the chamber proposal. By rotating through Oak Park business districts, the hope is that it will bring different communities together and help foster inclusion.
Oak Park has also been trying to promote its nighttime economy and prioritizes local business growth. The chamber proposal explains the festival will encourage visitors to explore local businesses after hours and create increased foot traffic.
Vendors would be able to set up booths along a partially closed-off street to sell products or promote services. This could help businesses build goodwill and loyalty with residents, too, Marion-Burton pointed out.
The chamber estimates this four-part series will cost about $43,000, including start-up costs, entertainment, marketing and equipment. The chamber is committing $10,750 and asking the village for $32,250 plus traffic control and public safety costs to block off a street for the festival.
These are one-time financial requests for now, Marion-Burton confirmed, but the chamber may ask again.
Black and Latine Business Support Network
The support network is intended to help Black and Latine-owned businesses succeed in Oak Park and foster a sense of belonging, according to the chamber proposal.
The eight-month program would have two cohorts. One for micro and emerging businesses and one for established businesses. The cohorts will emphasize learning opportunities, practical lessons and peer engagement.
The program would work to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for proprietors of minority owned businesses, who may feel excluded, the chamber explained. It would allow Black and Latine business owners to learn from each other’s experiences and create opportunities for mutual problem-solving.
Education sessions would address barriers of doing business in predominantly white environments, Marion-Burton said. Pre- and post-program surveys would assess changes in participants’ sense of belonging. The chamber would also track business license renewals to measure impact.
Other goals for the support network include empowering Black and Latine professionals as experts and creating a supportive environment within Oak Park for Black and Latine businesses, according to the proposal.
Micro and emerging businesses would meet for half-day sessions held once a month on the second Saturday. Established businesses would meet in two-hour evening sessions held monthly. More details about the proposed layout of the cohort sessions can be found in the chamber’s proposal online.
The chamber estimates this program would cost $69,000, including for a program coordinator salary, venue rental, curriculum materials, food and beverage, technology and other materials. The chamber is asking the village to cover the entire cost for now.
Trustee Susan Buchanan said she’s concerned about the village paying for both initiatives but supports them. Trustee Brian Straw agreed he’s supportive but wants to keep costs tight where possible. Marion-Burton pointed out that the chamber has a budget of only about $400,000 annually but could try to cover more costs in the future, either through sponsorships or other partnerships.
Trustees also expressed excitement about uplifting marginalized groups and supporting small business owners.
Trustee Cory Wesley referenced the village’s equity, diversity and inclusion statement, saying the support network program will help “actively reject and rectify any barriers that prevent the full participation of marginalized groups.”