CHICAGO YOUTH BIZ EXPO SHOWCASED TOMORROW’S INDUSTRY TRAILBLAZERS

The expo inspired the next generation of business leaders through workshops, a young entrepreneur panel and exhibitors.

Originally published by Elisa Sledzinska for City of Chicago

CHICAGO – Today, the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

(BACP), in partnership with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), held its second Chicago Youth Biz

Expo at Malcolm X College. The free expo brought together over 225 CPS high school students

to celebrate entrepreneurship, leadership and the future of Chicago. The students had the

opportunity to attend a workshop, hear from a panel of young entrepreneurs during the

keynote address, interact with exhibitors, take professional headshots to use for marketing

purposes and share their knowledge with peers. The expo provided students with guidance

on how to launch or grow a business in Chicago.

“The Chicago Youth Biz Expo gave our young people a chance to see themselves as future

entrepreneurs and business leaders,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Events like this reflect

the City’s commitment to investing in young people and supporting the next generation of

innovators who will help shape our city's future.”

“We are proud to support the next generation of changemakers who are already redefining

what it means to be a business leader in our communities,” said BACP Commissioner Ivan

Capifali. “The Chicago Youth Biz Expo offered students a glimpse into how the City is opening

doors for them to innovate, create, and thrive.”

The expo featured CPS students in their sophomore, junior, and senior year in high school

who have an interest in embarking on their entrepreneurial journeys. Students had a chance

to interact with over 20 exhibitors, many of which offer support and resources to start and

scale a business.

“At CPS, we are deeply committed to connecting our students’ learning to real-world opportunities," said Interim Superintendent/CEO Dr. Macquline King. “The Chicago Youth Biz Expo helps our students see that entrepreneurship isn’t just a dream - it’s an achievable path they can start building today. We are grateful to our partners at BACP for helping our students develop the confidence and skills to become the city’s next generation of business leaders.”

The expo began with a welcome address followed by a keynote panel featuring three young

entrepreneurs titled, “Young Innovators: Igniting the Entrepreneurial Spirit.” The panel of

youth entrepreneurs shared their stories and strategies for launching and growing successful

businesses. The panelists included:

• Ava Dorsey, Founder and CEO, Ava's Pet Palace

• Jaqueza Thomas, Founder, President & CEO Chicago Emerging Stars

• Qiling Jiang, Founder and CEO, Kaizen Collective Apparel LLC

  
  

Additionally, The Gray Matter Experience led a workshop titled, “Positive Self Concept.” In this interactive session, students evaluated and refined their digital presence to authentically showcase their strengths and values. Through self-reflection, hands-on activities and peer feedback, students gained tools to create a purposeful and professional online identity aligned with their business goals. 

“It was an honor to lead a workshop at the Chicago Youth Business Expo and help unlock the potential of youth through entrepreneurship as a pathway for personal growth and community transformation,” said Lu'Cretia Thomas of The Gray Matter Experience. “At Gray Matter, we’re committed to connecting youth to the education, mentorship, and experiences that ignite ownership, possibility, and lasting change.”

BACP hosts Chicago Small Biz Expos multiple times a year at different citywide locations and

online. These free events are open to the public and offer business resources such as City of

Chicago business licensing consultants, tax clinic, financial advisors, workshops, professional

headshots, networking and more. For upcoming expos, visit Chicago.gov/BizExpo.

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