A little over two years ago, Saterial Harris noticed a lack of affordable entertainment options for Chicago’s black professional crowd. The 43-year-old South Side native and Bradley University graduate realized that grown-ups need leisure activities that allow them to unwind from their busy lives and he set out to create a solution.
“[People] say, ‘Well, I went to that old club and the young people are taking over,’ says Harris, co-founder and president of Good For Da Soul, the event-based marketing and promotions company he started in hopes of filling the void.
Playing host to about 300–500 people per show, Harris is more than succeeding at getting folks off their couches. As the president, Harris is not only responsible for organizing his company’s famed fusion of live music, spoken word and comedy, but he also uses the opportunity to showcase the Windy City’s up-and-coming creative talents.
“There are all kinds of talent here, but for some reason, Chicago doesn’t seem to embrace their own … so we know a lot of people are left behind and need a connection,” Harris says.
On May 24, Good For Da Soul will return to the popular North Side hangout, Joes. With a lineup that includes comedian Reggie Reg, and spoken word artist Young Flame, Harris is sure they’ll succeed at turning frowns upside down.
In fact, Harris says you can take his word for it. “With the economy the way it is right now, everybody’s looking for something that’s good for the soul,” he says. “When you leave [the event], you will walk away going, ‘You know what? Life isn’t that bad.’ ” -gavin philip godfrey
For more information on Good For Da Soul’s event on May 24, please contact Danita Maclin, [email protected].
