Stay Tuned to Save Your Seat for 13th Annual South Side Pitch!
Every year, small businesses across the South Side of Chicago participate in South Side Pitch, sharing stories about their roots, their impact, and their visions for the future. This year the competition will not be live streamed so make sure to save your seat before spots run out!
Prizes
With over $38,000 in prizes, the IJ Clinic is spotlighting South Siders with a passion to pitch. Compete against over 100 applicants for one of the top five spots! Each finalist is guaranteed a cash prize at the end of the night.
*The Community Favorite Award is a generous cash award that acknowledges the South Side Pitch finalist that receives the most public votes.
*The Rustandy Center Social Impact Award is a generous cash award of $2,500 that is given to a South Side Pitch finalist chosen by staff from the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
2025 Finalists
Bridgeport
Runaway Cow
Vegan food should be a treat that doesn’t break the bank
The idea of Runaway Cow started over a dozen years ago, as the dream of owner Alison Eichhorn. One might say the ice cream business is in her blood. Her family owned an ice cream…
South Side Pitch 2025
1st Place
Canaryville
ChiBrations
An artist-led media platform designed to celebrate and centralize performing artists of Greater Chicago
Sam moved to Chicago 16 years ago as a budding musician and songwriter, eager to be part of the city’s creative scene. It took years of open mics, jam sessions, and wandering through cultural pockets…
South Side Pitch 2025
2nd Place, Community Favorite
Bronzeville
Ahead Academy
Empowering Youth Through Hair
Anyea founded Ahead Academy after a painful moment in Corporate America, when she was told no one would hire her for having “Bob Marley-looking hair.” Anyea was wearing braids that day, and it made clear…
South Side Pitch 2025
3rd Place
Bronzeville
Framewrks
See and be Seen.
Cassidy Stratton is a multi-passionate entrepreneur whose mission is to create spaces, experiences, and products that make people feel seen. Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Cassidy’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early. At age 10, she…
South Side Pitch 2025
4th Place
Brighton Park
Tawney Coffee
Tawney Coffee is a brother and sister project that delivers gourmet level coffee while bringing together a community of coffee lovers
Darla (22) and Christian (15) Torres started Tawney Coffee in 2024 with the mission to put into practice the financial literacy lessons their dad taught us. They began with a table on the sidewalk in Ravenswood,…
South Side Pitch 2025
5th Place
2025’s Judges and Keynote Speaker
Averil Edwards
Judge
Averil Edwards is Managing Counsel at United Airlines, advising on sustainability projects and environmental compliance. A University of Chicago Law graduate, she practiced at Winston & Strawn LLP before being appointed by Gov. Pritzker to the Illinois International Port District Board. Averil also serves on the boards of Ladies of Virtue and Cabrini Green Legal Aid, advancing both economic development and environmental protection.
Terrence Johnson
Judge
Terrence Johnson is the Executive Director of Greenwood Archer Capital, expanding access to capital for entrepreneurs in under-resourced communities. With 25 years in public and private sectors, he previously worked in City of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development and at Harris Bank, Prudential Mortgage Capital, and PWC, helping entrepreneurs secure critical financial resources.
Kelly Evans
Judge
Kelly Evans is the Vice President of Entrepreneurship & Economic Development at the Chicago Urban League, where she leads strategies to support small businesses and community impact. Previously, she was National Director of Community Integration and Workforce Development at Cresco Labs. Kelly works at the intersection of community, education, business, and government to drive economic growth and engagement.
Kim Close
JudgeKim Close is the Executive Director for the Foundation of Little Village. She founded the organization in 2018 to expand programmatic capacity for the Xquina Incubator. In her time, Kim worked to increase resources and opportunities available to small businesses in Little Village. Kim employs a holistic approach in her pursuit of economic development as a means to achieve greater equity. Prior to her work in Little Village, she owned a small business for ten years – an experience that taught her the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.
Clifton Muhammad and Connie Lynn Anderson
Keynote SpeakerClifton and Connie are the Owners of The Record Track, the 2nd Place Winner of South Side Pitch 2022.
Thank You to this Year’s Coaches!
Lauren Amos
Managing Partner at DSGNRZ LLC
Myeisha Grady
Speech Instructor at Morton College and former Business Advisor at the Women’s Business Development Center
Aimee Navarro
Director of Illinois SBDC at the Greater Southwest Development Corporation
Bruce Wilson
Private Equity Associate at ICV Partners, LLC
Tulio Juarez
Program Coordinator and Business Advisor at the Greater Southwest Development Corporation
Isra Omar
Senior Assistant Director at Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
CJ Harris
Creative Director and CEO of That’s So Creative, LLC and 3rd Place Winner in South Side Pitch 2022
Sophia Carey
Founder and CEO of BuildWise
Kia Coleman
Director, Business and Society Programs at the The Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Trisha Beltrán
Implementation Consultant & Strategic Growth Advisor at JMB Innovative Business Solutions