Chicago United expanded its Five Forward Initiative™ to create a more comprehensive program that provides additional assistance and resources to more Minority Business Enterprises: the Minority Business Partnership Program, which includes the Five Forward Initiative™.
Through the Minority Business Partnership Program, which includes the Five Forward Initiative™, Chicago United works one-on-one with Minority Business Enterprises* to connect them with capital and government assistance that, in turn, strengthen the local economy and enhance job creation within Chicago’s communities.
Additionally, this impactful program helps Committed Corporations meet their business diversity goals.
This structure enables Chicago United to work with Minority Business Enterprises outside the Five Forward Initiative™ to provide these businesses with programming and resources. We help facilitate networking and partnership opportunities amongst Minority Business Enterprises and Committed Corporations, which sets the foundation for future partnering and business opportunities.
*Minority Business Enterprises are not required to be a Member of Chicago United to participate.
OUR RESULTS:
Nearly 100 Minority Business Enterprises participate in the MBP Program.
55 Minority Business Enterprises with current contracts.
15 Committed Corporations participate in the Program.
2023 TOTAL SPEND: $91 Million
An increase from 2022 Total Spend by $15 Million
Watch our Informational Video
What is the mission of Chicago United's Minority Business Partnership Program, which includes the Five Forward™ Initiative? Find the answer in this introductory video and learn how you can evaluate your organization with the Program.
Check out our Minority Business Partnership Program's Success Stories
Meet the Minority Business Enterprises that are a testament to the strength and effectiveness of Chicago United's Minority Business Partnership Program, including the Five Forward Initiative™.
FIVE FORWARD™
COMMITTED CORPORATIONS
FIVE FORWARD™
MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
AAR & Associates, LTD
AmeriCloud Solutions, Inc.
AmerTrans Logistics Inc.
Anchor Staffing, Inc.
Beavers Holdings/Affy Tapple LLC
Benford Brown & Associates
Blue Line Design & Construction
Bowa Group Inc.
Brandenburger Plumbing, Inc.
Bremen Builders
Bridgeforth Wolf and Associates
Cabrera Capital Markets LLC
Catalyst Consulting Group, Inc.
Chicagoland Truckin Inc.
CKL Engineers
Clarity Partners
Community Interface, Inc.
Construction CAD Solutions, Inc.
Creospan Inc.
Cristina Foods
Crockett Cookies
CS Insurance Strategies
CSMI
d'Escoto, Inc.
Diamond Waste & Recycling Corporation
DivIHN Integration Inc.
EC-United
EDI (Environmental Design International Inc.)
EDMIK Incorporated
EKI Digital
Enviroplus, Inc.
Evans Electric
Farrell Group LLC
Foscett Communications & Alarm Co.
GMA Construction Group
Grunstrom Landscape
Halsted Auto Diagnostic Clinic & Company
Helix Engineering
High Performance Enterprise DBA
High Performance Uniforms
INTER-CITY SUPPLY CO., INC.
IYKA Enterprises, Inc.
Jan’s Enterprises Inc.
JMF Support Services
Kairos Worldwide
Kamflex Conveyor Corp.
KDM Engineering
Kimco Facility Services
Loop Capital Markets
LSL Industries Inc.
MEPIS
Midway Broadcasting (WVON)
Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc.
Montenegro, Inc.
MOTR GRAFX, LLC
Nash Brothers Construction Co., Inc.
Pace Systems Inc.
Paniagua Group Inc.
PBM Group, LLC
Planned Packaging of Illinois Corp. (PPOIC)
Powell Photography, Inc. (dba) Powell Creative Services
Powers & Sons Construction Company
Prado & Renteria
R.M. Chin
Sanchez and Associates
SAVVY Technology Solutions, LLC
SDI Presence
Sierra Public Safety Group (SPSG)
Smart Technology Services
Spherotech Inc
Sugar Bliss
Supply Logistics & Procurement Services, LLC
TechniSource Group
Tecnica Environmental Services, Inc.
The Kaleidoscope Group
The Shred Authority
The Will Group
The William Everett Group
Trice Construction Company
Trinidad Construction
Ujamaa Construction, Inc.
Universal Information Solutions
US Messenger and Logistic Inc.
Valdes Engineering Company
Viva USA Inc.
Washington Pittman & McKeever, LCC
Wedgeworth Business Communications
Wynndalco Enterprises, LLC
Yep Nation
MBE PHOTO GALLERY
INNOVATION, LEADERSHIP, AND DIVERSITY IN CHICAGO'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY
FUNDING PROVIDERS
The Minority Business Partnership Program which includes The Five Forward Initiative™ is supported in part through funding by
Nicor Gas
The Minority Business Partnership Program, which includes the Five Forward Initiative™ is the proud recipient of a grant from
The Allstate Foundation
The Minority Business Partnership Program, which includes the Five Forward Initiative™ is the proud recipient of a grant from
Fifth Third Bank
For Details On THE Minority Business Partnership PROGRAM Including the Five Forward Initiative™,
Please Contact:
Debbie Cortez
Director of Minority Business Partnership
(312) 977-3061
dcortez@chicago-united.org