Sarah Martin and her future husband were enjoying a walk through their favorite nature preserve along Lake Erie when he got down one knee and proposed. From that moment onwards, the wedding planning began — with dreams of a Brazilian brunch, lush tropical greenery, and open seating. As a Black woman, Sarah has always felt passionately about supporting Black-owned businesses. “When I was planning my wedding,” she shares, “my feelings were no different.” Although Sarah was able to find her wedding photographer through her parents’ church, finding other Black-owned event professionals proved more elusive.
“I didn’t even know where to begin searching online for professionals who are Black and Brown,” Sara explains. “My seamstress is a friend of a friend who is from Latin America and I never would have found her if I didn’t ask friends.” She goes on to tell us, “While I was fortunate to find many of the vendors through word of mouth, it would have been wonderful to have one site or magazine that I could have references for vendors in my area.”
Keep reading to discover talented Black-owned event companies for every type of celebration — from weddings and milestone birthday parties to fundraising galas and corporate events.
*In no particular order…
BLACK-OWNED ENTERTAINMENT COMPANIES
Flow Entertainment, Inc
- CEO and Founder Kareem K.W.O.E. Wells is known throughout the Chicagoland area as the “The King of the Mitzvahs” — and revered for his personalized and interactive performance style
- Embodies the K.W.O.E. philosophy which he learned as a kid growing up on the West Side of Chicago: Know your genius, work to be unstoppable, own your actions, explore the world.
- Started the K.W.O.E. Theory of Change Foundation to inspire and give new opportunities to middle school kids in urban neighborhoods
BLACK-OWNED VENUES
Eleven Eleven
- Eleven Eleven is a fashionable restaurant and bar situated in the dynamic West Loop neighborhood
- Draws inspiration from the local art scene and vibrant community to create thoughtful menus, along with artistically-plated cuisine that indulges the five senses
- Offers a wide range of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
BLACK EVENT PLANNERS
aJUICYevent
- aJUICYevent is a luxury event planning and design company with a range of customizable service options
- Pairs innovation and creativity with stress-free service for everything from weddings and milestone celebrations to corporate events
- Also offers luxury rental options, creative branding expertise, beautiful stationery, and more
B&C Events
- B&C Events plans and coordinates everything from weddings and social gatherings to corporate parties and brand events
- Offers custom floral and design services, along with organic balloon styling, for a visually-stunning celebration
- Creates events that are “elevated to an experience,” with a focus on sensory engagement and meticulous attention to detail
CRW Events
- CRW Events embodies their motto, “Making Your Dreams a Reality,” with a stress-free planning process and a boutique approach to wedding design
- Offers micro wedding services along with décor and rental services — ensuring your party vision is faithfully captured
- Founded in 2010, this talented team plans and designs weddings and events all over the Chicagoland area
Dejanae Events LLC
- Dejanae Events LLC is an award-winning wedding and event planning company based in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood
- With over 20 years of experience, the team still gets “excited about love” — and creating beautiful, unique events
- They are now offering intimate micro weddings for 12 guests — with design and wedding-day management
KIA MARIE EVENTS
- KIA MARIE EVENTS is a boutique company that offers white-glove planning services to a limited number of clients each year
- Creates tailor-made experiences with a modern and classic approach that captures each client’s unique style
- Produces events with a focus on “clean uninterrupted designs and extraordinary details”
Merlyn José Events
- Merlyn José Events is a full-service event planning and design boutique committed to telling each client’s personal story
- Offers a complimentary planning session, as well as custom-planning packages for a tailor-made experience
- Design and décor services can come à la carte or as a custom package created specifically for each client’s individual needs
Nicole Marie Events
- Nicole from Nicole Marie Events is famously known as “the planner’s planner” — with an innate understanding of both the business and its network
- Specializes in customized, immersive experiences with carefully curated details — be it a lavish wedding, product launch, or intimate birthday party
- Experienced in logistical planning as well as immaculate execution and production
BLACK PHOTOGRAPHERS
Amber Danielle Photography
- Amber Danielle Johnson of Amber Danielle Photography specializes in everything from event photography to personal portraits
- Although she developed her love for photography in the dark room, she also excels in digital photography
- Her philosophy is “live, laugh, photograph” — with every moment being an opportunity to capture the perfect photograph
BeKing Media
- BeKing of BeKing Media finds inspiration to “embrace every day” and seeks out beauty in everyone, at every moment — as even “grit can be graceful”
- Descended from three generations of artists — with a combination of American, Haitian, and Cuban heritage — BeKing thrives on capturing different perspectives across various unique genres
- His work in photography and film allows him to tell powerful stories through a single image and connect with Chicagoans across the city
Candace Sims Photography
• Candace Sims Photography uses a blend of photojournalism and an editorial approach to capture the most meaningful moments of your celebration
• Offers custom packages for elopements and destination weddings as well as professionally edited images delivered in a private gallery
• Able to capture the perfect shot, regardless of lighting or weather conditions
J Lauryn Photography
- Jasmine Oliver of J Lauryn Photography specializes in events, studio, and lifestyle photography — with an aim to “elevate your personal image”
- With a degree in chemistry, Jasmine knows how to capture the energy of a room and highlight the most essential components in any composition
- As a hopeless romantic, Jasmine values narrating each couple’s personal story, as well as putting them at ease so they can enjoy their big day
Nicee Martin Photo & Design
- Nicee from Nicee Martin Photo & Design takes time to cultivate authentic relationships with her clients in order to capture personal stories and genuine moments
- Committed to creating long-lasting works of art that can be passed down from generation to generation
- Partners with many organizations throughout the Chicagoland area, including mentoring youth, pediatric cancer research, and autism awareness organizations
Olu Jr Photography
- Olu Akintrinof of Olu Jr Photography treats every photograph as a work of art, creating gorgeous compositions that serve as lifelong family heirlooms
- Clients love how he stops at nothing — be it “rain soaked streets, to twists and turns” — to get the perfect shot
- Hosts professional training workshops that challenge wedding photographers to take their artistry to the next level
Perry Portrait Art
• Portrait Photographer Dorothy Perry of Perry Portrait Art specializes in natural family portraits — as well as event photography
• Uses sensitivity and an intuitive approach to capture the most special moments of your celebration
• Also offers framing and retouching of images for older, heirloom photos
BLACK-OWNED DESIGN/DÉCOR/FLORAL COMPANIES
Kesh Events
- Akeshi Akinseye of Kesh Events is known throughout Chicago for her lavish floral designs and hands-on wedding and event orchestration
- Her reputation for artfully capturing each clients unique love story — be it in Chicago or all over the world — has earned her a high-profile clientele
- Akeshi leads the educational “The Kesh Expereince” workshop and is the author of the bestselling book “The Art of Floral And Event Design”
BLACK-OWNED CATERING COMPANIES
Catering Out The Box
- Founder Anthony Waller of Catering Out The Box serves as a board member for The Hatchery to support Chicago’s thriving food industry
- Catering Out The Box was created with the mission to produce fresh and healthy high-quality food at affordable prices for the masses
- Currently offering “Party Plates” and boxed lunches to feed essential workers on the front lines
D.O.C.S.
- Executive Chef and Owner Ken Shareef of Doctors Orders Catering Service LLC offers custom-menu planning options with menus that “vary, just like your palate”
- D.O.C.S. is ServSafe certified, serving every event type from weddings to banquet dinners
- Partners with clients for menus that are 100-percent planned-to-order with only the freshest ingredients
Lexington Betty Smokehouse
- Lexington Betty Smoke House is a high-quality food truck serving authentic barbecue to the Chicagoland area
- Offers barbecue (such as pulled pork), soul food (including delicious biscuits and macaroni and cheese), and extensive catering services for a variety of event types
- Also served at monthly pop-ups on the first Sunday of the month at storefront location
Lisa’s Boutique Catering
- Lisa Shaw of Lisa’s Boutique Catering creates beautifully-plated cuisine with the freshest ingredients
- Aims to create “a curatorial culinary journey that is crafted to amplify the ambition and vision” of her clients and partners
- Business is coming soon to Chicagoland area
Nicole Jordan Catering
- Nicole Jordan Catering provides custom menus using fresh and seasonal ingredients with new twists on American cuisine
- Aims to serve “exquisite food” with expert coordination and services
- Offers everything from boxed lunches to tailored menus created for corporate gatherings, themed parties, and elegant weddings
On The Go Jo
- On The Go Jo is Chicago’s go-to mobile espresso and coffee cart serving unique, carefully crafted coffee beverages and fresh baked goods
- Created by three friends who were looking to bring specialty espresso drinks and craft coffee to events throughout Chicago and the Chicagoland area
- Namesake points to an all-female run company, with a playful pun on coffee’s most renowned synonym
BLACK-OWNED BAKERIES
Bitoy’s Sweet Treats
- Bitoy’s Sweet Treats creates artisan popcorn, gourmet gelato, and other delectable treats made in small batches with the highest-quality ingredients
- Founder Jaunita Sally Bitoy “Grandma” also served as a community activist and social worker; the team’s flagship store is where Janunita began her journey with Bitoy’s Sweet Treats
- Packaged treats also available for at-home delivery, as well as for private events
Brown Sugar Bakery
- Stephanie Hart of Brown Sugar Bakery creates specialty cakes and desserts that are known for being “dangerously delicious”
- Stephanie has been been awarded “America’s Best Bakery” through the Steve Harvey Show
- In addition to providing desserts and sweets for private events, Brown Sugar Bakery is offering pre-order curbside pick up with 24-hours advance notice
Eat Moore Cakes
- Eat Moore Cakes specializes in made-to-order artisan-crafted cakes for a tailor-made experience
- Cakes are planned by appointment with detailed attention given to each client’s personal style
- Goes beyond album designs to create one-of-a-kind desserts that capture a unique theme or aesthetic
IntoxiCakes
- IntoxiCakes creates stunning, made-to-order cupcakes inspired by classic cocktail flavors such as Cosmopolitan and Lime Margarita
- Cupcakes are baked from scratch with high-quality spirits for an elevated twist on a traditional dessert
- Available for a variety of special events — from weddings to corporate soireés — as well as for one-of-a-kind party favors or take-home gifts
Lauren’s Sweet Tooth
- Laura White of Lauren’s Sweet Tooth believes in creating beautiful and imaginative designs with ingredients of the highest quality
- Offers custom-baked cakes and desserts, with options for gluten-free or vegan ingredients
- Also features additional sweets such as cake jars, cookies, chocolate-covered strawberries, and more
Signature Sweets Factory
- With a passion for mixing beautiful designs and delicious food, Marcus J. Freeman of Signature Sweets Factory started his first baking business at the age of 19
- Focus on flavor and quality with all products created in a chemical-free commercial kitchen
- In addition to providing online orders, Signature Sweets Factory provides catering for elite restaurants and private celebrations across Chicago
BLACK-OWNED INVITATIONS & PRINT COMPANIES
Vividesigns By Alero
- Alero Odele-Otaru of Vividesigns by Alero is a working chemical engineer and designer specializing in couture wedding invitations
- Creates custom-made invitations, stationery, and logo designs for clients all over the world
- Offers creative services such as foil printing, letterpress print, raised printing, silk printing, and digital printing
BLACK HAIR & MAKE-UP STYLISTS
Rabecca Ann Artistry
- Rabecca Ann of Rabecca Ann Artistry aims to celebrate people’s “individualized beauty that illuminates confidence from the inside out”
- Works with some of the most sought after industry leaders and brands — with clients coming back year after year
- Her background in occupational therapy — along with her training under Bobbi Brown — inspires her to “highlight the natural beauty in all women”
featured entertainment
FLOW ENTERTAINMENT
We love this interactive entertainment team’s infectious high energy and warmth – they’ll have grandma on the dance floor in two songs flat. They form lasting bonds with the families they work with, celebrating milestones together over years. photographer: Tell Draper Photography