The Collective

THE COLLECTIVE.

the col·lec·tive: a new investment experience for Chicago's social change agents

Chicago Beyond introduces The Collective, a first-of-its kind investment experience designed to unleash the power of social innovators and entrepreneurs from across the city who are fighting to create opportunities for youth and communities of color.  

The Collective is a way to stand boldly with local leaders and back their efforts to build a more just Chicago.

Throughout Chicago Beyond’s commitment to The Collective, members will have access to our new space,  Chicago’s Home for Social Innovation, along with a network of thought partners, and tailored resources to grow and support their ideas.  

The first Collective members were chosen based off their local roots; an idea, product, program, or service they want to grow or launch; their experience in their respective industry or issue area around their idea; and their desire for a collaborative learning opportunity. Download our full press release here.

MEET THE COLLECTIVE.

BRANDON BREAUX

Brandon Breaux is a fine artist and designer. In 2019, Brandon launched the Invsbl-Space, a gallery and multiuse space on 85th & Cottage Grove that exists to creatively challenge the pre-existing narrative around "underserved" communities. He is widely known for having designed all three of Chance the Rapper’s album covers, and his recent work highlights the intersectionality of mental health and creative arts.

TANYA LOZANO

Tanya Lozano is the Founder of Healthy Hood Chicago, a nonprofit fitness and dance studio that educates and trains students and residents in South and West Side neighborhoods about healthy eating, exercise, and preventative care. Healthy Hood offers affordable fitness classes and workshops, and provides free, fresh produce to community members from its onsite garden.

BRITNEY ROBBINS

Britney Robbins is the founder and CEO of The Gray Matter Experience, a nonprofit organization founded in 2016 to help high school students of color learn about entrepreneurship and launch enterprises. Britney has worked in Chicago's entrepreneurship and tech community for the past seven years with some of Chicago's top venture capital firms and incubators, including Sandbox Industries, Lightbank and 1871.

STEVEN ROSADO

Steven Rosado recently founded an independent consulting company where he leverages his background in youth equity work to provide advisory services to nonprofits and philanthropies on civic engagement, community outreach, participatory grantmaking, and racial equity. Steven has over 10 years of experience in the field of Youth Development with a focus on Social Justice and Policy.

UNITY. INNOVATION. IMPACT.

The Collective is focused on growing the ideas and leadership of emerging innovators and entrepreneurs and is a model for how organizations and investors can stand with and empower local leaders. The Collective experience is not prescriptive and gives members the creative freedom to drive toward what will allow individual and combined members to have the most impact. 

Additionally, members are equipped with a combination of distinctive resources to meet their entrepreneurial needs.

  • Free and Inclusive Space: Responding to a strong need for affordable and accessible workspace, members will be provided with a space to work, innovate, and collaborate to amplify their individual and collective work for the city’s young people and people of color

  • Initiative Support: High-engagement thought partnership and support to design, prototype, and pilot bold initiatives that will impact Chicago’s youth and communities

  • Collective Support: Customized professional development, mental wellness supports, and learning opportunities; a network of community leaders and influencers

  • Platform: Elevate and amplify voices through events in Chicago Beyond’s space and other stages and mediums, such as social media and newsletter platforms

  • Power of The Collective: The opportunity to leverage the intersectionality of the creative arts, social entrepreneurship, health and fitness, philanthropy — all of which disrupt existing power dynamics in service of Chicago’s youth and communities.
“I am both thrilled and humbled to work alongside both the members of The Collective and the Chicago Beyond team - all leaders in the social impact space that I have admired. The approach and support the fellowship offers has the potential to completely shift the landscape, allowing us to have more impact on the communities we serve. I look forward to leveraging the collective talent of this group to do more good across Chicago - knowing our communities are now more vulnerable than ever.”
Britney Robbins
“This Collective means unity. It means a new generation of leaders creating a culture of “we’re stronger together,” a culture where there is no competition, only opportunity to collaborate to create greater impact. A culture that puts people first.”
Tanya Lozano
"It is a tremendous honor to be selected to be part of The Collective. Aside from the support and resources I will receive from the incredible folks at Chicago Beyond to help move my work forward, I am most energized by the opportunity for me to collaborate with my fellow members of The Collective. I think what I most appreciate about The Collective as a whole is that we all possess different backgrounds, experiences, networks, and skills that complement each other and make us stronger as a group - thus positioning us to use our time together to think and critically in a way where we make a collective impact on the City of Chicago. I am excited and grateful for the chance to work alongside such dope individuals in doing the work of dreaming of and building a future for Chicago that is truly equitable, inclusive, and justice-driven."
Steven Rosado
"I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the Chicago Beyond Collective in this capacity and it’s really perfect for the work that I am engaging in now. I see this experience really expanding my artistic practice and its impact, I'm looking forward to what is in store.”
Brandon Breaux
Previous
Next