Chicago Bulls and BMO Spotlight Black- and Brown-owned Businesses

ABOUT THIS ENTRY

The Chicago Bulls have established connective, year-round programming to support Black- and Brown-owned organizations. From creating connections through the 2025 Bulls Business Summit to sharing our platform to amplify their businesses through our Business Spotlight Series, the Bulls provide ongoing support of Chicago’s business community.

The Bulls and BMO have collaborated throughout the programming for Black- and Brown-owned businesses, recognizing local leaders while building a uniting forum to help businesses continue to grow and thrive. BMO’s leadership in small business banking, including its ‘Zero Barries to Business’ program, provides invaluable financial guidance and support to the business owners we celebrate.

Whether providing a business with crucial financial advice or amplifying their founding story, the Bulls and BMO share a commitment to giving Black- and Brown-owned businesses access to the tools and audience needed to thrive.

How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?

The Bulls Business Summit represents Excellence in Engagement by creating a dynamic platform that connects the Chicago Bulls with local entrepreneurs and the broader business community. The Summit provided attendees with valuable insights, industry expertise, and long-term access to resources that extend beyond the event itself.

Setting a new benchmark in fan engagement, the Summit redefines how professional sports teams interact with their communities. It goes beyond traditional game-day experiences by offering a hands-on, immersive environment where attendees can engage directly with Bulls players, executives, and business leaders. The Player Spotlight Session with Patrick Williams provided a rare, personal perspective on entrepreneurship from an athlete’s point of view, solidifying the connection between sports and business.

This initiative demonstrates how sports organizations can serve as catalysts for economic empowerment. By leveraging our platform to provide tangible business opportunities at the Summit, the Bulls are leading the way in integrating sports, business, and community engagement.

Objective

Formed during the racial justice efforts that took place during 2020 and beyond, the Bulls launched the Black-Owned Business Program to demonstrate our commitment to all Chicagoans and create positive change in our city. While this program has served as a powerful organizing force for community programming, we felt that there was a need for a forum dedicated to encouraging collaboration, development and relationship building among Black and Brown entrepreneurs in Chicago. While the Bulls Business Summit is a key milestone, it is important that the event did not stand on its own. The Bulls have established connective, year-round programming to leverage the power of our platform to shine a spotlight on deserving Black- and Brown-owned organizations.

As we entered our second year of planning the Summit, some of the Bulls and BMO’s main objectives were to include more interactive workshops and dive deeper into financial literacy and banking resources. Through a series of engaging panels and interactive workshops, attendees accessed valuable insights and contacts to create a pathway for a better future. This initiative underscores the Bulls efforts to continuously uplift and amplify voices in the community that are making a difference.

Strategy & Execution

The Summit welcomed Black- and Brown-owned businesses from across the city for a day of personal and professional development. Alongside representatives of the Bulls and BMO, the event provided business owners with a place to expand their network and identify ways to improve their business. From entrepreneurial stories and tutorials on AI and advertising, to discussions around financial resiliency and active networking, the event’s varied agenda facilitated an open dialogue and aimed to leave leaders feeling more prepared to grow their business.

It was important that this event did not stand on its own. The Bulls have established connective, year-round programming to leverage the power of our platform to shine a spotlight on deserving Black- and Brown-owned organizations.

This includes the Business Spotlight Series, which introduces a select group of entrepreneurs to our fans through our games and online channels, detailing the story and inspiration behind their business in their owner’s words.

Additionally, Bulls forward Patrick Williams served as a guest speaker at the Summit and provided attendees a chance to introduce themselves to his Foundation. A few weeks later, four of those businesses participated in the second annual Pitch Day to compete for grant funding.

Organizations

• Chicago Bulls
• BMO

Links

•   Website

Credits

Adrienne Scherenzel
VP, Community Engagement
Chicago Bulls

Myra Leon
Manager, Community Relations
Chicago Bulls

Brooke Fallis
Coordinator, Community Relations
Chicago Bulls

Laniesa Shafer
Manager, Partnership Marketing
Chicago Bulls

Carter Rayburn
Senior Account Executive, Partnership Marketing
Chicago Bulls

Zaida DeGuzman
Director, Event Production & Activation Strategy
Chicago Bulls

Stanley Baptise
Manager, Event Production
Chicago Bulls

John Melachrinakis
Coordinator, Event Production
Chicago Bulls

Aaron Carter
Manager, Brand Communications
Chicago Bulls

Taylor Williams
Coordinator, Brand Communications
Chicago Bulls

Joshua Clark
Manager, Alumni and Player Programs
Chicago Bulls

Patrick Williams
Forward, Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls and Patrick Williams Foundation

Don C
Creative Strategy and Design Advisor
Chicago Bulls