The fourth annual L.E.G.A.C.Y. Awards Gala was an opportunity for small Black business owners in Chicagoland to network with each other and to be recognized for their exceptional work in the community.
This year’s honorees were:
Andrea Zopp, World Business Chicago
Eric Williams, The Silver Room
Thomas Crosby, The Insurance Exchange
Oliver Kamanzi, Africa Global Chamber of Commerce
Melody Spann-Cooper, WVON
LaShaun Jackson and Omar Moore, The Circle Foundation
Kim Foxx, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office
The highlight of the evening was the Youth Entrepreneur of the Year contest. Each year, three young entrepreneurs pitch their product or service to the L.E.G.A.C.Y. Awards Gala audience in hopes of winning a prize that will provide them with an unforgettable experience and help with their product or service.
This year’s contestants were Caleb Dunson, 17, founder of the Youth Entrepreneurship League; Jeremy Frierson, 23, founder of The Frierson Agency, a branding firm; and Ava Dorsey, 12, founder of Ava’s Pet Palace, an organic pet treat company that prioritizes the health of dogs and cats.
Dorsey was the evening’s big winner, taking home more than $15,000 in prizes, including a round-trip ticket to the U.S. Africa Youth Entrepreneur Summit in Accra, Ghana, in September.
Foxx, Chicago’s top prosecutor, also took time during the evening to speak with Steed Media CEO and rolling out publisher Munson Steed about why the current election cycle is so important. Check out the video below.
Take a look at the gallery above to see photos from the gala, which was held Saturday, Feb. 29, at Malcolm X College in Chicago.
