On a stretch of 75th Street long known for its legacy of Black entrepreneurship, a South Side megachurch is urging residents to rethink how and where they spend their money. It’s not the first time.
On April 4, Salem Baptist Church of Chicago is once again co-hosting “Spend in the Black,” a faith-driven economic initiative designed to channel consumer dollars into Black-owned businesses and rebuild what organizers call “the Black dollar.”
Led by senior pastor the Rev. Dr. Charlie E. Dates — who also serves as senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church — in partnership with local elected officials and community leaders, the effort blends ministry with marketplace, transforming church influence into economic activism.
“This is about resurrecting the Black dollar,” Dates said during one of the marketplace events. “So rather than being in the red, we are spending in the Black.”
A Marketplace Model Rooted in Community
The initiative takes shape most visibly through large-scale vendor marketplaces held on the South Side, where at times more than 100 Black-owned businesses line commercial corridors, offering everything from food and coffee to handmade jewelry and beauty products.
Organizers say the goal is both symbolic and practical: to recreate the economic density of historic Black business districts while equipping a new generation of entrepreneurs.
At one recent event, city leaders estimated that hundreds of thousands of dollars could circulate within a single day across just a few blocks.
“We can literally see half a million to $1 million spent between three blocks,” said Alderman William Hall, who has partnered with the church to expand the initiative.
Business Owners See Immediate Impact
The movement is rooted in a broader national push encouraging consumers to support Black-owned businesses, particularly during the Easter season. In Chicago, however, faith leaders have taken a leading role, framing economic engagement as both a spiritual and communal responsibility.
Stephanie Hart, owner of Brown Sugar Bakery, who participated in last year’s event, said it was “absolutely a blessing” and “so inspiring and encouraging.”
“As a businesswoman who’s been on 75th Street for more than 24 years, to have over 100 potential businesses set up — as a businessperson, you know you need a community and strong support to be successful,” she said.
“Last year’s event gave all the established businesses hope for a future — that we won’t be alone over here, that there’ll be new businesses and fresh blood,” she told Dates.
“Furthermore, the support you garnered — it was the absolute largest day that we have ever had.”
She said customers bought more cake slices, cheesecakes, and candy, and that more families came through the door “with a good spirit.”
Building Generational Wealth
“Every dollar spent at a Black-owned business strengthens our communities, creates jobs, and builds generational wealth,” the church said in materials promoting the effort.
For participants, the initiative offers more than a marketplace — it provides visibility and access often difficult to secure in traditional retail environments.
“It’s a blessing, an honor,” said Stefanie Moore, a local vendor. “We are grateful to be a part of this.”
Business owners and civic leaders alike say such exposure is critical as many small enterprises continue to recover from economic disruptions and navigate shifting corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments.
The event has also drawn support from city officials, including Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, who emphasized the long-term implications of local spending habits.
“When we begin to invest in Black-owned businesses, we begin to build generational wealth for our community,” she said.
A Grassroots Response to Economic Shifts
The initiative comes amid growing concern among some advocates about reduced corporate investment in diversity programs. In response, faith leaders are encouraging grassroots economic strategies that rely less on large institutions and more on community participation.
Chicago Urban League President Karen Freeman-Wilson noted that Black-owned businesses often serve as anchors in their neighborhoods, employing local residents and reinvesting in community life.
More Than a Moment — A Movement
Founded in 1985, Salem Baptist Church has long been active in social and economic outreach, but “Spend in the Black” represents one of its most visible efforts to merge faith with financial empowerment.
The church, which draws thousands of worshippers, is leveraging its platform to encourage parishioners to reconsider everyday purchasing decisions — from where they buy groceries to how they support local services.
Organizers say the effort is intentionally scalable, with hopes of expanding beyond Chicago and inspiring similar initiatives in other cities.
“This is a movement to strengthen Black wealth … by increasing community support and economic circulation,” the church said.
For many involved, the vision extends beyond a single weekend or event.
Instead, “Spend in the Black” is framed as a long-term strategy — one that calls on churches, consumers, and entrepreneurs alike to participate in building sustainable economic ecosystems rooted in community trust and shared prosperity.
As shoppers browse vendor tables and business owners exchange contact information, organizers say the deeper goal is already taking shape: a renewed sense that economic power, when pooled intentionally, can become a tool for both faith and freedom.