February is Black History Month! Honoring and celebrating Black history certainly shouldn’t only be confined to these 28 days, but it can be a timely annual reminder to reflect on and honor Black history, and the ways in which we can individually and collectively do more to be anti-racist now and in the future. 

Supporting the Black Lives Matter movement is a key issue for CAASE. Racial justice and survivor justice are dependent on one another. Racism fuels sexual harm and exploitation, which leads to Black women and girls especially being disproportionately impacted by sexual harm. It’s been reported that 41 percent of Black women experience unwanted sexual contact or coercion, with rates rising when other identities are accounted for, such as Black women who are low-income, and Black women who are incarcerated. We must understand and recognize this reality in the fight to end sexual harm. 

In honor of Black History Month, we checked in with our Community Engagement team. This team centers, connects, and listens to survivors with an intentional focus on working with communities most impacted by sexual harm, specifically Black communities in Chicago on the south and west sides. Outreach at various events is a big part of Community Engagement’s work. Connecting with partners at events, fairs, and presentations often means the team is going from one event to the next, stopping for a quick break at restaurants and cafes in the neighborhoods they frequent. The Community Engagement team makes it a priority to patronize and support Black-owned businesses in their outreach work.  

“By supporting Black-owned business, we enable Black communities to have greater access to sustainability such as financial security, access to health and wellness, prevention and education, and diminish food insecurities,” says Saunté Harden-Tate, CAASE’s community engagement coordinator. “Black communities are disproportionately affected by sexual harm and exploitation. In supporting Black-owned businesses, survivors in these communities can reclaim their power and empower their communities to break down negative stigmas and barriers, that are often reinforced by lack of access and financial support.” 

Here are some of the Chicago Black-owned businesses that CAASE’s Community Engagement team recommends! 

• 3BF Catering (Three Brothers Bonded by Food) – Providing a wide variety of catered food for any type of event or get-together, big or small. 

• Batter and Berries – This reliable Chicago brunch staple prides itself on offering the freshest options in a fun atmosphere, with locations in Olympia Fields and Lincoln Park. 

• Dawn Eatery – A cozy Hyde Park restaurant serving southern-inspired breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

• The L Station – Grab brunch, dinner, or a refreshing cocktail or mocktail from their chic Loop location. 

• Nzuri Kulture  – Offering a variety of luxurious dessert-inspired hand-poured candles and skin and body care located in Lombard. 

• Pearls Place Restaurant – A Bronzeville spot serving southern comfort food and offering a buffet daily. “We don’t just celebrate Black history; we make Black history everyday” their website says.  

• Toast It Iz – Located in Evergreen Park, this brunch destination has a diverse menu aiming to offer something for everyone. 

• Truth Restaurant – This Bronzeville spot offers its own unique twist on breakfast, brunch, and lunch, with a great patio space too. 

Saunté Harden-Tate, Community Engagement Coordinator at a community outreach event

If you too are interested in supporting Black survivors, patronizing Black-owned businesses is a tangible and powerful practice to add to your own life. What are your go-to spots? Let us know where we should try next! Start with one of the fabulous recommendations from the list above and then find more in your own neighborhood. Check out this list of Chicago Black-owned businesses from Do312 or this expansive list sorted by business type and neighborhood. 

Black history is deep, rich, and forever intertwined with Black communities in America today. We must look back on our history to create a more just, anti-racist world today and in the future. Everyday actions and habits like supporting Black-owned businesses in our own communities have the power to create a ripple effect in empowering our neighbors, our communities, and the world, including in the fight to prevent and end sexual harm. 

CAASE published this piece on February 10, 2025. It was authored by Lizzy Springer, with input from Saunté Harden-Tate and Anika Sterling Florez, and editing from Madeleine Behr. Learn more about our staff here.