The looting that followed the George Floyd protests devastated some Chicago neighborhoods and parts of other cities, leaving residents there even more desperate for basic services during the pandemic. A scattered police presence across the city left pockets open for looting all day without officers responding in many areas on the South, Southwest, and West Sides. But on the North Side, where protesters marched through the streets Sunday evening, dozens of officers walked alongside them protecting stores.
Whitney Hampton, the managing partner of Hampton Real Estate and Investments brokered by Aprogeny Global. Hampton, emotionally impacted by watching businesses in her community burn to the ground, knew at that moment, her mission was clear. While the mission of her real estate office is to help millennials create legacies of wealth by making homeownership a reality in 90 days or lessen — her new mission is to help rebuild her community in lieu of current events as well. In addition to hosting a weekly podcast, Wealth Building Wednesday, monthly newsletters, and quarterly homebuying seminars she has reallocated her focused to her community. Like the true leader she is, Hampton has identified the need and created the solution to help. Feeling overwhelmed, and although none of her businesses had been damaged, Hampton could only imagine what the business owners would be feeling.
Having very little faith in how the government would assist the businesses, she decided to encourage others by posting on Facebook, that if you are a black-owned business and have been negatively impacted by the riots, she would help you! The post was shared over 95 times. Ppl started calling needing help and ppl started calling want to help by any means necessary.
To date, Hampton and her team have boarded up over 20 black-owned businesses in just 2 days. So many black professionals taking off from there normal businesses to say they want to support and the support has been amazing! Hampton extends a special thank you to Lutalo McGee of Ani Real Estate who immediately asked how he could help and got funds and feet on the ground. Shymane Robinson, Shavahnna Hunt, Barry Johnson, Kelvin Russell, Perdure Carter, Kevin McEwen Sr, Lamont Elleb, Phenetta Eubanks, and so many others have committed themselves to be leaders for this initiative.
“I have shed tears with business owners whose businesses are beyond repair. We have all laughed, cried, smiled, and grunted. It is hard work but we are full of joy doing it. I feel beyond hopeful, that we will not only survive this, but we will thrive after this.”; said, Hampton.
Young people from ages 8–18 have come out in large numbers to support. Our ‘seasoned’ members have been full throttle with assistance, and of course, the millennials are leading the charge. We all have a role to play in shaping our future.
This is what #Unity looks like!!
Now that looting has stopped Hampton and her team have turned their attention to seniors who are unable to find grocery stores nearby. To date, they have provided groceries and toiletries to 200 seniors. The list consists of bread, eggs, milk, coffee, water, juice, fresh fruits and vegetables, grits, biscuits, chicken, hot dogs, ground beef, pancake mix, syrup, ketchup, mustard, bbq sauce, spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, tissue, paper towels, dishwashing liquid, bar soap, cheese, bacon, and sausages. The grocery stores were severally damaged due to looting.
Their next move is to assist a single teenage mother’s home with groceries, baby items, and clothes.
Stay up to date on more initiatives here.
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