Welcome to Far South CDC News

My name is Antoinette, and I’m an Herbalist from the South Side of Chicago. My journey to herbalism began with my Father, who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in October of 2014, and myself, who suffer from an irregular menstrual cycle. 

This led me to gain a better understanding of how to use herbs, and now have a Master Clinical Herbalist certification and a Herbal Business Cosmic Creole.

Canvas Rebel | October 24th, 2024 

  Our downtown is still reeling from a pandemic that left a sea of vacant office buildings and empty ground-floor retail spaces. Two new stadiums with the promise of hundreds of thousands of visitors is perfect for luring residential developers and investors to grab as many vacant properties as possible to covert. Yet, as proposed, this endeavor would entail billions in subsidies directed downtown and in wealthy collar neighborhoods. 

-Abraham Lacy  

Crain's Chicago Business |   July 29th, 2024 

  Improving the quality of life for the Roseland Community is the ultimate goal for an exciting new medical district. @dl3realty_official , Far South CDC and Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture have joined forces to bring the Roseland Community Medical District to life. The project was recognized by @lisc_chicago and The @thechicagocommunitytrust for the 'Outstanding Community Plan Award' as part of the 2024 CNDA Awards.  

 P3 Media Works |  July 26th, 2024  

The nonprofit Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC) - is excited to announce its 2024 Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 15 from 12-5 p.m. on the northwest corner of Halsted Street and 115th Street in Chicago's Morgan Park neighborhood.This free all-ages event celebrates the Juneteenth holiday by inviting Far South Side communities together for an afternoon of live music, food from local Black-owned restaurants, family activities, a resource vendor fair, housing workshops, and a small business marketplace featuring everything from beauty products to fashion.

ABC 7 Chicago |  June 15th, 2024

 @wbbmnewsradio | @cbschicago  Jackie Kostek highlighted 4 of our black-owned businesses: Naturals by Nette, Kraft It Up, Be Original, Cherish a Peace of Nature,  in our Marketplace at Far South CDC in West Pullman.

These businesses are part of the ongoing program by the City of Chicago's Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) Storefront Activation Program. The Storefront Activation Program funds nonprofit organizations across the City to reactivate vacant commercial storefronts with an incubator-style setup with early-stage entrepreneurs. We aim to assist business owners with additional resources, such as one-on-one advising, marketing, information and connection with access to capital partners, and potential procurement opportunities. 

CBS News |   May 24th, 2024  

 The transformation of an empty grocery store and abandoned property on the Far South Side into new apartment buildings, stores, parks and a performing arts center is expected to start late this fall, with plans to use it temporarily as a shelter for asylum seekers having been halted.The redevelopment of about 12 acres on the northwest corner of Halsted and 115th streets into the Morgan Park Commons is under the direction of the nonprofit Far South Community Development Corps. The property was home previously to a Jewel Food store and the Halsted Indoor Mall.

Chicago Tribune |   June 3rd, 2024  

  "For the 103rd Street plan that the Trust is funding, between Halsted and Michigan, there's three dollars stores.  Now, I don't know about you, but there's got to be some variety. When we don't plan our corridors, somebody else will. That's been the biggest issue is who's getting access? On Halsted Street, we're doing a master plan for the Special Service Area district,which is 103rd and on Halsted Street..." 

 Trust Talks Podcast |  Jan. 30th, 2024  

  With a focus on economic development in a part of the city that’s been starved for transit access and investment for much of its history, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced in Septmeber nearly $2 billion of federal funding for its Red Line Extension. The plan will add four new stops across 5.6 miles to the Red Line El on the far South Side of the city.

ArchPaper.com |  Nov. 20th, 2023 

 Our marketplace business owner, entrepreneur Jennifer Givens joins the Noon Business Hour to discuss her business

 Aries Rising.  

 WBBM Radio |  Dec. 8th, 2023  

Far South CDC, a non-profit dedicated to fostering community growth in Chicago’s Far South Side neighborhoods and south suburban Cook County, proudly announces the extension of its transformative Far South CDC Marketplace program until December 23, 2023 featuring our Chief Development & Innovation Officer, Florence Hardy! 

Stories from the 78 |  Dec. 1st, 2023 

 In Roseland, Pullman and East Side, business owners, makers and artists are selling candles, menswear, home decor, photography packages, books and more. 

blockclubchicago.org |  Nov. 15th, 2023 

 The South Side university unveiled its new economic development plan reimagining the half-mile stretch of 95th Street between Martin Luther King Drive and Cottage Grove Avenue — one with no official funds to back up a $250 million price tag. 

csu.edu | Oct. 19th, 2023      

  On what she was strongly considering as her last day in business as Aries Rising, Givens decided to apply to the Far South Community Development Corp. Marketplace program that supports startup businesses.    

   Cook County Chronicles | Sept. 19th,2023     

  She thought she could turn her interest in scrubs into a business and started Belans Scrub Line Collection in June. She is one of the startup businesses with space at the Far South CDC. at 837 W.115th St. in Chicago’s West Pullman neighborhood.   

   Cook County Chronicles | Sept. 12th,2023     

   Throughout Chicago's South and West sides, retail corridors are heavily populated with stores that do not keep wealth in the community. So-called dollar stores are a prime example.  

 Chicago Business | Sept. 11th, 2023      

Interviewed was four African-American Entrepreneurs selected to participate in the Far South CDC Market Place. They all aspire to create a culture of positivity, peace, and harmony. They also hope to serve as a catalyst to motivate others to realize their potential.    

 Chicago Splash Magazine  | Sept. 8th, 2023     

    A South Side resident lost his favorite coffee spot to the pandemic, and so he decided to do it himself. Cortez Wash is founder of Javez Java at 115th and Halsted in West Pullman, a business he launched in 2020 after his favorite coffee store shut down.    

 WBBM Radio | August 25th, 2023   

  Far South CDC Marketplace: Browse wares from a variety of Black-owned small businesses at this community marketplace in West Pullman.   

  Choosehicago.com | August 8th, 2023  

  Community-driven development centered around future CTA stations. Watch the interview featuring our VP of Development & Planning, Katanya Raby! 

 WTTW |  March 17, 2023 

  The Far South Community Development Corporation has provided women entrepreneurs a location and and a network of support for their burgeoning businesses.

 Fox32 | March 15th, 2023  

 The effort was spear-headed by The Kindness Campaign, along with the Far South Community Development Corporation, 

and it comes at a critical time. 

CBSNEWS.com | March 11th, 2023 

 "Raised by entrepreneurs. Always wanting to learn. All about liquor (licensing, that is). Expanding Minority Business Access. Meet Kathryn Jackson, a Power Partner." 

Roseland Medical District Plan: Approval Expected

Tia Carol Jones | June 22, 2022

Morgan Park Juneteenth Festival Highlights Local Efforts to Revitalize Empty Lot

Tre Ward | June 18, 2022

Pritzker Traubert Foundation Names Chicago Prize Finalists

Corli Jay | June 15, 2022

Juneteenth Festival to be held this Saturday in Morgan Park

Fox News 32 | June 14, 2022

Long-vacant Chicago strip mall being redeveloped into housing complex

Wendell Hutson | January 12, 2022

Community partners pave homeownership path

Valli Perera | January 07, 2022