Chicago City Wire

Chicago Sky Celebrates National Black Business Month

Aug 20, 2024

Illinois’ Black Business Month: Celebrating the Heartbeat of Chicago

Chicago Sky Highlights Frogtown Juice Co. and Chef Grady Catering for August’s Black Business Month

by MaryKate Drews, Chicago Sky Team Photographer

Chicago, Illinois, a city renowned for its vibrant culture and deep love for food, is also a tapestry woven with the rich threads of its Black community. Among the many treasures that define this beautiful city are its Black-owned businesses, which not only contribute significantly to the local economy but also celebrate and preserve the city’s diverse heritage.

Black-owned businesses have long been at the heart of Chicago’s cultural and culinary landscape. Highlighting these enterprises is crucial, not just for supporting economic equity but for honoring the traditions and innovation they bring to the city. Two companies close to the heart of the Chicago Sky are Frogtown Juice Co. and Chef Grady Catering. After spending August getting to know them, it is clear they are two city staples that are here to stay.

Frogtown Juice Co.:

“The business emerged organically from Kyle (Founder) taking healthier lunches and smoothies to work. His colleagues began to ask him to make them smoothies. From there he started juicing. He loved it and it grew into a passion. Soon he was encouraged by others to create a business and he has worked with his family to grow it to what it is today.

The name of the company recognizes where our late Grandmother (who was an entrepreneur and a cook) grew up. Frogtown was established as a free black community outside of Lexington, KY after the Civil War. In this community, members supported one another and grew their own fresh food. In addition to the company name paying homage to this community, some of the juices are named after people in his family.

As a company we interweave the values of community, inclusion, and sustainability. These are values that pay homage to our roots and are values that we care deeply about.”

Chef Grady Catering:

“I wanted to go into a business/industry that people will always need, which led me to the hospitality field more so food & beverage in particular. I watched how people lost their jobs during the recession and I wanted something that I felt was a sure service. I used to watch Food Network all the time and everything seemed so fancy. There was a particular episode where someone made an Italian pot roast and I decided ‘hey I can make that’ and that was kind of like the start of my pursuit in the food industry.”

What is one thing you value most in your business model being a black-owned family business?

Chef Grady:

“We value doing everything ‘straight up’ (hence Str8up Bussin). We want our customers to know that we value doing things right on both professional level and taste level. We want them to know that just because you cater for a larger group doesn’t mean your food shouldn’t be bussin with flavor. And as a black-owned business you definitely are fighting against negative stereotypes regarding professionalism in black businesses; we love proving those wrong.”

Frogtown Juice Co.:

“We are proud that as a business we have stayed dedicated to our values: community, inclusion, sustainability. We’ve supported local organizations doing amazing work in the Black community such as Woke Chicago and The Healing while working with Black farmers like The Watermelon Man and Sistas in The Village.

We have remained true to sustainable production practices including using glass packaging which keeps products fresher while promoting recycling—customers can return clean bottles for discounts on future purchases.”

Throughout your journey becoming an entrepreneur have there ever been moments weighing on your overall vision? If so what kept you moving down this path?

Chef Grady Catering:

“Being an entrepreneur isn’t for faint-hearted individuals—we’ve had slow months where continuing seemed impossible but keeping faith allowed us overcoming adversity faced along way plus having strong support system from friends/family especially Tone helped immensely.”

What does it mean for you being in Chicago?

Frogtown Juice Co.:

“It’s huge; if you can make it here—you can make anywhere! Chicago prides itself on diversity/community/local businesses connecting us amazing small owners/farmers across various backgrounds resulting sourcing produce locally meeting national/global brands partnering season absolute honor grateful receiving support past seven years still feels unreal!”

Chef Grady Catering:

“Chicago offers diversity/cultural depth showcasing amazing array foods thought living here would provide incredible experience learning/thriving/succeeding."

Words of Wisdom:

Frogtown Juice Co.: “If you want go fast go alone; if wanting far go together.”

Chef Grady Catering: “Nothing worth having comes easy; have vision stand firm undeterred distractions.”