iHeartMedia Chicago’s 107.5 WGCI, Chicago’s #1 for Hip-Hop R&B; V103, Today’s R&B and Throwbacks; Inspiration 1390, Music of Power & Praise; 93.9 LITE FM, Relaxing Favorites, ROCK 95 FIVE, Chicago’s Rock Station; 103.5 KISS FM, Chicago’s #1 Hit Music Station; and Chicago’s BIN 640 AM, announced today 10 winners of the “Brilliantly Black Business Awards” in partnership with the Chicago Urban League. The “Brilliantly Black Business Awards” ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 8 at 2:30 p.m. at the iHeartMedia Chicago Studios.
In June 2020, iHeartMedia Chicago launched “Brilliantly Black” as a community resource initiative to support local Black-owned businesses, restaurants and non-profits. Each radio station encouraged listeners to visit its website and enter keyword “brilliant” to get more information about Black-owned businesses and community resources. Since its inception, iHeartMedia Chicago has showcased nearly 1300 Black-owned businesses through digital, on-air features and the “Brilliantly Black” podcast.
Local businesses and listeners had the opportunity to nominate and vote for their favorite Black-owned business in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana between June 16 and July 31. A total of 10 winners have been selected to receive $100,000 of in-kind media on iHeartMedia Chicago radio stations and a small business development cohort from the Chicago Urban League.
“iHeartMedia Chicago created the first of its kind, ‘Brilliantly Black’ community resource initiative,” said Matt Scarano, President of iHeartMedia Chicago. “We are proud to expand the initiative and award 10 local Black-owned businesses a combined total of $1 million in marketing and advertising to further promote their products and services, while elevating economic growth for their businesses. The Chicago Urban League shares our mission and stepped up to provide small business master-level education training for the award winners as well.”
“The Chicago Urban League has a longstanding commitment to supporting the growth and success of Black-owned businesses,” said Karen Freeman-Wilson, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. “Thriving businesses that create jobs and support families are a critical component to achieving economic equity for our communities, and we are proud to partner with iHeartMedia Chicago to celebrate and support the success of Black entrepreneurs.”
iHeartMedia Chicago 2022 “Brilliantly Black Business Award” Winners:
Barbara Bates Fashions, Inc.
Epic Mortgage, Inc.
Funkytown Brewery
Ms. P’s GFree, Inc.
Next Man Up
No Baby Mama Apparel & Accessories
Opulence Gallery
Premier Health Network, LLC
Window Maestros
Xoxoxo Cosmetics
For more information on the 10 winners of the “Brilliantly Black Business Awards” visit each station’s website: 107.5 WGCI, V103, Inspiration 1390, 93.9 LITE FM, ROCK 95 FIVE, 103.5 KISS FM and Chicago’s BIN 640 AM.
iHeartMedia is the leading media outlet in the Chicago market with multiple platforms, including its broadcast stations; live events; data; and its digital businesses and platforms, including mobile, social and its own iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s free all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio service – with 3 billion app downloads and more than 160 million registered users.
