ESSENCE Ventures and the Office of the Chicago City Treasurer, led by Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, have announced a partnership aimed at advancing financial empowerment and wealth-building opportunities for diverse communities in Chicago.
The collaboration will be highlighted at the fifth annual Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow (BWTT) Financial Empowerment Summit. ESSENCE Ventures joins as a strategic partner to support efforts that provide individuals and families with resources to build generational wealth.
“At ESSENCE, one of our core pillars is elevating and celebrating Black women, recognizing that they are already empowered and shaping culture through all they influence,” said Barkue Tubman-Zawolo, Chief Community Officer at ESSENCE Ventures. “Our partnership with the City of Chicago Treasury aligns this mission with tangible resources and pathways to economic mobility, placing financial health and empowerment at the heart of our work.”
Chicago faces ongoing challenges related to access to capital, credit, and long-term wealth-building opportunities for Black entrepreneurs and innovators. The partnership between ESSENCE Ventures and the City Treasurer’s Office aims to address these disparities directly by combining national cultural influence with local economic leadership.
The initiative is intended to bring greater visibility to local economic empowerment efforts and create a model for cooperation between municipalities and cultural organizations. It also seeks to position Chicago as a leader in addressing racial wealth gaps while supporting ESSENCE’s goal of empowering Black communities through practical tools and knowledge.
For residents of Chicago, this collaboration will expand access to information on small business development, homeownership, credit management, and intergenerational wealth strategies. For ESSENCE Ventures, it strengthens their commitment to uplifting communities by connecting cultural advocacy with economic impact.
Programming at the BWTT Summit will include panels such as "Breaking Barriers: Women in Sports," featuring national leaders discussing equity in sports. The event will also offer GU Office Hours—a mentorship program focused on connecting young people with advice on brand building—hosted by Dr. Jatali Bellanton along with Bree Specific and Rachel James.
“Economic empowerment is not a moment — it is a movement,” said Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin. “By partnering with ESSENCE, we are amplifying our reach and ensuring that the message of financial empowerment resonates locally and nationally. Together, we are giving Chicagoans the tools they need to transform financial literacy into lasting wealth.”
The BWTT Financial Empowerment Summit is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the UIC Forum. Admission is free and open to all members of the public.