DPD is excited to announce the Commercial Corridor Storefront Activation (CCSA) program has officially launched and the small business grant application is now open; these reimbursable grants will fund up to 75% of eligible commercial space improvement costs for qualifying small businesses and property owners. 🎉💻
Information about eligible corridor boundaries and partner agencies, as well as English, Spanish, and Chinese versions of the application can be found here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/storefront-activation/home.html
Grant applications are open on a rolling basis and projects are selected quarterly. The first round of applications is open until 5:00 pm on May 15, 2026.🗓 #25thWard
___________________________
DPD se complace en anunciar que el programa «Commercial Corridor Storefront Activation» (CCSA) se ha puesto en marcha oficialmente y que ya está abierto el plazo de solicitud de subvenciones para pequeñas empresas; estas subvenciones reembolsables financiarán hasta el 75 % de los gastos admisibles de mejora de los locales comerciales para las pequeñas empresas y los propietarios que cumplan los requisitos. 🎉💻
Aquí puede encontrar información sobre los límites del corredor elegible y las agencias colaboradoras, así como las versiones en inglés, español y chino de la solicitud: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/storefront-activation/home.html
Las solicitudes de subvención se aceptan de forma continua y los proyectos se seleccionan trimestralmente. El plazo de la primera ronda de solicitudes está abierto hasta las 5:00 pm del 15 de mayo de 2026.🗓 #Distrito25
If you are a business or building owner in Pilsen, this is a clear path to fund improvements and bring spaces back online.
Applications are submitted via Submittable. A preview of the application is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese. If you need support, contact us at [email protected] or reach the program administrator, Allies for Community Business, at [email protected] or (312) 275-3000.
Link in bio to apply.
Todos Ponen is up for a Community Impact Award from Chicago Tribune’s Reader’s Choice Food Awards!
This was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life to be a part of. We were able to feed 125 families affected by ICE, facing job & food insecurity for 8 weeks, while respecting their privacy: their dignity.
There was magic in the air that night. The way we all rallied together donating our time, talents, resources, $$$ in such a short turnaround time was incredible.
Thank you @chicagotribune for putting us up for this award. And thank YOU all. Uno es poco pero juntos somos muchos. Power to the people.
Vote for Todos Ponen via link in Bio. Voting closes mañana, April 15th 11:59pm.
IT’S OFFICIAL!! 🎉✨
Your favorite coffee duo is coming back to Berwyn! 😬☕️💛
We’re beyond excited to make @city_of_berwyn our permanent home starting Summer 2026 — and we can’t wait to share it with all of you!
Huge thank you to @606realty@berwyndevcorp & @dishroulettekitchen for helping make this dream happen! 🙌
Make sure you’re following @brightvoidcoffee_cafe to keep up with all the behind-the-scenes + renovation updates 👀🛠️
Grand opening is going to be something special… we seriously can’t wait to see you there!! ☕️🎉
-
-
-
#berwyn #berwynil #coffeeshop #smallbusinessowner #entrepeneur
Sometimes the hardest part of running a business is the part no one sees.
If you’re a small business owner in Chicago, please fill out or share this 10 minute assessment so we can name those gaps and co-create better solutions together.
Grateful for your voice and for this community ✌🏾
Join us for a one hour virtual workshop designed for founders at every stage. This session skips legal jargon and focuses on what matters most: how to think about IP early, strategically, and without a massive budget.
Robyn Bowland and Kyle Watson of Irwin IP, part of Miller Johnson, will share what is worth protecting, when to file, and how IP fits into the real work of building a business, from branding and contracts to partnerships and growth.
We will cover:
• How to think about IP even if you are not ready to file
• Common mistakes that create legal or financial risk
• How IP connects to your brand, agreements, and ecosystem
• What to protect now versus later when resources are tight
Whether you are shaping an idea or starting to scale, this workshop offers clear tools to protect what you are building early and intentionally.
Link in bio to register for this free workshop.
And for small businesses that can’t afford to close- staying open doesn’t mean staying silent. Solidarity can also look like:
• donating to mutual aid and legal defense
• amplifying organizers instead of brands
• turning off ad tracking on your phone
Strategic coordination is only one piece of the work. Real impact comes from consistent collective action- especially in how and where we choose to spend our money.
We all gotta move differently now.
art by the talented @dyanapyehchek
Todos Ponen was made possible by every person who showed up, purchased a ticket, and continues to believe in this work. Especially the chefs who give their time, talent, and labor in service of community. What began in 2020 as a response to crisis has grown through collective care, trust, and follow-through.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Todos Ponen since the beginning. Your participation allows this work to continue responsibly, locally, and in community.
The work is nowhere near done. More to come.
Special thanks to @mariachisirenas@jesseelgrandote@vanguardiachi@publicmediainstitute@ramovachicago@edmarlumpen@_crfilms@peoplestagekaraoke@sonoramachicago@gentefinachi & our sponsors for the support & solidarity.
Views: @afterthequake & @srosa24
Last night was a reminder of who this city belongs to.
Thank you to everyone who showed up with love, generosity, and intention. What we witnessed was Chicago at its best. Immigrant communities, culture, and food coming together in service of each other.
This was never just an event. It is a continuation of deeper work and impact made possible by us, for us. We can’t wait to share what your support is already making possible.
More to come. #Todosponen
🎥: @_crfilms
📸: @afterthequake
In 2025, we supported businesses across Chicago; new openings, expansions, second locations, and reiterations. We slowed down, moved alongside our community, and met you in your natural element.
It was a year of laying foundation. Of building with intention. Of standing shoulder to shoulder with businesses and partners who share a commitment to freedom, care, and deliberate investment in BIPOC creators.
We listened closely to your stories. And as we step into 2026, one vision guides us forward:
To create a world where we can all create — and protect one another at all costs.
Thank you @lisashames for sharing our story with intention. Read all about it @blockclubchi
To learn more about ways to get involved or to purchase tickets, visit the link in our bio.
What is a system?
A system is how work gets done every time: how you take and pack orders, respond to DMs, accept or decline work, hire, and let go of an employee. If the outcome changes depending on who’s doing it or what day it is, you don’t have a system. You have guesswork, and it’s time to define the process and stick to it.
Want to talk about it? Link in bio.
