South Side Pitch - Institute for Justice

Watch the live stream on YouTube!

South Side Pitch is an annual event hosted by the Institute for Justice’s Clinic on Entrepreneurship, showcasing inventive, inspiring, impactful entrepreneurs from the South Side of Chicago.

South Side Pitch will be at the Polsky Exchange North Center on October 20th, from 6 PM – 8:30 PM! RSVP below now to secure your set.

Event Details

Time: 6 PM to 8:30 PM, Thursday October 20th
Location: The Polsky Exchange North
1452 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615

’22 South Side Pitch Finalists:

This year’s Finalists will be pitching LIVE in front of an audience at the Polsky Exchange North for the first time in three years. Like what you see? RSVP above and secure your seat for the show on October 20th!

The People’s Choice Finalist:
T’Kor Couture | Woodlawn

Black-Owned Luxury Fashion Brand

T’KOR Couture is a Black-owned luxury fashion brand that specializes in handmade crochet clothing and accessories. T’KOR was founded by Dinah T’kor Clottey in the midst of the global pandemic and fight for Black Lives in the summer of 2020. At the time, Dinah was a rising third year at the University of Chicago, and to escape the painful events that were happening around her, Dinah came to crochet. Soon, fashion became the vessel in which Dinah poured her heart and soul into to bring back some light in those dark times.

Read more about their story here and get ready for South Side Pitch!

Healthy Substance | Garfield Ridge

Mexican food: Delicious, Authentic, & Vegan

Healthy Substance began nearly a decade ago when founder Patricia Gonzalez first turned vegan for her health and wellness when her husband battled cancer and she discovered a vegan Al Pastor recipe that could satisfy even the most experienced Mexican food lover.

Read more about their story here and get ready for South Side Pitch!

Moor’s Brewing Company | Bronzeville

Chicago’s Black Owned Beer

Moor’s Brewing Company was founded by Damon Patton, Jamhal Johnson and Anthony Bell, all born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. In 1994, while attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the three formed lifelong friendships and have pursued entrepreneurial excellence ever since.

Read more about their story here and get ready for South Side Pitch!

The Record Track | South Chicago

Music & Entertainment Since 1990

When Clifton Muhammad earned an MBA from the University of Chicago, he didn’t imagine owning a small record store. His career had been mostly about helping multinational companies make money and getting more returns on their investment – until he inherited the Record Track, and something unexpected happened…

Read more about their story here and get ready for South Side Pitch!

That’s So Creative LLC | Washington Heights & South Loop

Full-Service Creative & Marketing Agency

That’s So Creative was born out of a heart to serve businesses and help them grow. In 2016, CJ Harris left her full-time position in design and communications for a large nonprofit to start her own company. CJ has always had a passion for marketing while also working as a freelancer with small businesses and organizations. Knowing the path she wanted to follow, CJ sought out additional business and marketing training to expand her capacity to serve clients.

Read more about her story here and get ready for South Side Pitch!

South Side Pitch ’22: Semifinalist Profiles

A big thank you to everyone who applied this year – Check out this year’s Semifinalists Profiles below. These incredible businesses are building, hiring, and inspiring their communities every day here on Chicago’s South Side.

Click on a Semifinalist to learn more about their journey and watch their Semifinalist Pitch on YouTube!

beverly

Crafty Hands Club Magazine gives crafters from all walks of life a chance to share their stories.

Crafty Hands Club

Carriece Jefferson

bronzeville

Inspiring Young Ment to Achieve Greatness

Male Mogul

Walter Mendenhall

washington heights
& South Loop

Full-Service Creative & Marketing Agency

That’s so creative

CJ Harris

west pullman

Community-Powered Parent Coaching & Support

Vision Inspired Coaching

Carmen Hatch

south shore

Muralist, Artist, Storyteller.

Damon Lamar Reed

pilsen

Custom Apparel & Swag since 2003

The Print Lounge

Imanuel Basley

clearing

The Perfect Safety Device for your life.

Halo Life Light

Mary Ellen Brown

chatham

Beauty Delivery on Demand

Last Minute Hair

Tiffany Shelly

Grand Boulevard

Handmade, Hand Designed, Hand Poured Joy in a Candle

Belly Candle Co.

Shena Bowers

garfield ridge

Mexican Food: Delicious, Authentic, & Vegan

Healthy Substance

Miguel Franco

Chicago lawn

A Cultural Experience Through Belizean Food & Music

Garifuna Flava Caribbean Restaurant

Rhodel Castillo

Mckinley park

Educating & inspiring Through the Performaing Arts

Genesis Music & Arts

Jasmyne Rudan

south shore

Simple Sexy Sandwiches

Jus Sandwiches

Karen Roberts

ashburn

Innovative Mental Health Recovery

Mental Health Meets Hip Hop

Tatiana Lane

Bronzeville

Chicago’s Black-Owned Beer

Moor’s Brewing Company

Jahmal Johnson

Morgan Park

Novelty Women-Driven Social Enterprise

philosoher

Concitta Cavin

Hyde park

Award-Winning Multimedia for Black Fine Arts

Pigment International

Patricia Andrews-Keenan

englewood

Quality Produce & Cafe

Roots & Vine Produce and Cafe

Ena Jones

south loop

Delivering Liquor, Food, and Essentials to the Boating Community

Dockside Delivery

Terri Evans

South shore

The Suth Side’s Farm-to-Table Restaurant

Eight 1 Eighty 4 Greenhaus Restaurant

Michae Wilson

South chicago

Providing Music & Entertainment Since 1990

The Record Track

Clifton Muhammad

Woodlawn

Black-Owned Luxury Fashion

T’Kor Couture

Dinah Clottey

south shore

Black Women-Led Architecture & Design

TnS Studios Inc.

Taylor Staten

Beverly

The Tech Therapist

TVP Tech Solutions

Terenee Pilcher

Share Our Flier & Spread the Word!

What is the South Side Pitch?

Every year, small businesses across the South Side of Chicago participate in this business competition where Applicants compete to win several great prizes. Our goal is to highlight inspirational individuals determined to improve their lives and their community.

Apply Now