CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Arts + Public Life has supported a growing network of Chicago creative entrepreneurs that launched with our annual Vends + Vibes holiday arts marketplace in 2013 and expanded to the L1 Creative Business Accelerator program in 2020.
L1 Creative Business Accelerator
+ Retail Store
L1 is a hybrid business accelerator fellowship (2020) and retail storefront (2021) launched by Arts + Public Life to strengthen the capacity of the South Side’s cultural sector and remove barriers to entry.
The L1 program includes a 10-month fellowship program for creative entrepreneurs developed in partnership with Proximity, the urban planning and social impact arm of The Silver Room Foundation, plus resources and collaboration with the UChicago Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Framed as an evolution of Vends + Vibes, L1 is intended for ready-to-scale small business owners who have already developed a customer base and product line that is relevant to or well-received by South Side consumers. Occupants of the retail space on Garfield Blvd are selected not only to signal that high quality South Side commerce is possible, but also to show that such commerce is uniquely well-suited to take root on the Arts Block—drawing energy from the other cultural and commercial activity happening on this historic corridor while contributing to the Block’s vitality and growth.
L1 is supported in part by Builders Initiative, DCASE and the Illinois Arts Council
L1 CREATIVE BUSINESS ACCELERATOR FELLOW ALUMNI
2024 Alumni
Oluwaseyi Adeleke | prgrssn
Oluwaseyi “Olu” Adeleke is a graphic designer based in Chicago. He started prgrssn in 2016 which is a clothing brand that takes moments in Black history and creates unique apparel that he pairs with immersive brand activations throughout the country.
The brand is heavily inspired by the current climate of injustice against people of color. prgrssn seeks to combat that with powerful apparel that will educate the wearer and those around them. Each shirt is meant to be a conversation starter and learning experience for those willing to listen. Most importantly, each piece allows the wearer to stand in solidarity with oppressed groups as strides toward justice are made.
As his brand continues to grow, Olu has also leveraged his graphic design skills to help clients effectively communicate their stories through his intentional approach to storytelling and world-building. His past partners include SocialWorks Chicago, Chicago Votes, Nike Chicago, femdot., and Grammy-Award-winning artist Nico Segal.
Joli Chandler | Soma Gems Jewelery
Soma Gems was established in 2019 by trained metalsmith Joli Chandler. Soma Gems produces a number of silver and gold-based jewelry products including rings, earring, bracelets, necklaces, cuff links and custom items by request. Soma Gems began its inception creating custom beaded gemstone jewelry and after receiving a growing demand for expanded custom products Soma Gems was established as an LLC in 2020. Since then Soma Gems has since seen exponential growth following the creation of 2 social media platforms, and a website. Soma Gems offer an extensive catalog of unique, affordable and ethically sourced gemstone jewelry that comes in high quality ecofriendly reusable packaging. Compared to competitors our items are all handmade, using ethically sourced materials made in the US and created in small batches. Once the source of the gemstone runs out it will not be reproduced. This creates a one of a kind, unique aesthetic to all of our products.
Callie Decor products infuse positive messaging into every item, as evidenced by the affirming Hip Hop lyrics which adorn the hand painted wall tapestries. Candles are hand mixed, the scent profiles are custom blended, and on each label a quote from a soul artist inspires us to love.
Twjuana Simone saw a need for Hip Hop representation in home decor and has set out to offer LiL Wayne, J.Cole, and other overlooked poets as an alternative to those who are seen as most notable and widely available. As Callie Decor continues to grow, Twjuana Simone is looking forward to the potential for expansion and to fostering meaningful collaborations.
2023 Alumni
Twjuana Simone Robinson | Callie Decor
Balm Yard is a botanica shop for spiritual + physical healing & cleansing. Many recipes in the collection have been passed down by family members that were root doctors and medicine women in the south. Home is in St. Augustine, FL, and the coast of the Carolinas. I take a lot of inspiration from my GeeChee/Gullah roots and strive to provide a space to connect spirituality + holistic wellness together.
Samantha Jo | Samantha Jo’s Balm Yard
Keyon Huggins | Hyde & Park Co.
Hyde and Park Co is a candle and home goods company with the mission of providing modern, unisex scents for the modern home. Hyde and Park Co was founded in 2019 in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL. The products are produced in small batches to insure quality. The scents are androgynous and highly fragrant. The packing is minimalist and will fit in with any decor.
Jamica Harper | Red Elephant Candle Co.
Red Elephant Candle’s are made with natural components. The natural oils and essential oils are blended to aid to calmness, focusing, clarity, restlessness, relaxation and happiness to ones space. The coconut wax base is able to apply the wax to your skin The candles are held in a cement vessel that is hand crafted by Jae as well. The purpose is to repurpose the vessels to create a story for ones space.
2022 Alumni
Andrea Polk | Zen Soul Apothecary + Solo Noir
We believe the key to any healing journey starts from within with these 4 steps: LOVE for self, RELEASING the old, ELEVATING your thoughts, and creating daily BALANCE, The power is within you. Let's create balance and HEAL. Solo Noir offers “Definitions in a bottle” for modern men.
Peter Ganoa | Reformed School
Founded in 2013, a pre-tied bowtie and accessories brand using repurposed materials. Since then the product line has grown to use fashion as a tool to educate. Reformed School combines art, fashion, and eco friendly materials together to create unique items you can wear and adorn your name.
Tiffany Joi O'Neal | Hemp Heals Body Shop
Hemp Heals Body Shop is your one-stop online destination for all your CBD bath & body needs! We strive to cater to the needs of our customers so they can enjoy a pain/stress free life. You will find that our CBD premium quality products contain hemp derived CBD – Full Spectrum & THC FREE as well as all-natural ingredients.
