Salem Baptist Church Hosts "Spend in the Black" to Redirect Consumer Dollars to Black-Owned Businesses

Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, led by the Rev. Dr. Charlie E. Dates, co-hosted "Spend in the Black" on April 4, 2026. The faith-driven economic initiative brought together Black-owned businesses and consumers in a large vendor marketplace designed to keep dollars circulating within the community.

Organizers said hundreds of thousands of dollars moved through the marketplace in a single day. The event drew vendors from across the Chicago area, offering goods and services ranging from food and clothing to financial planning and home repair.

The initiative is modeled on the economic density of historic Black business districts, where money circulated multiple times within the community before leaving. Organizers said the goal is to recreate that kind of economic ecosystem in modern urban settings.

"Spend in the Black" is positioned as a grassroots response to reduced corporate investment in diversity programs. Several major retailers and corporations scaled back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in 2025, prompting Black faith leaders and community organizers to launch alternative economic strategies.

Rev. Dates said the church sees economic empowerment as an extension of its faith mission. He described the event as a practical way for the congregation to live out its values beyond Sunday services.

Organizers plan to hold additional "Spend in the Black" events in other cities throughout 2026. They are also developing a directory of Black-owned businesses to help consumers find and support local entrepreneurs year-round.