First Black owned sliced bread firm began by three Kenwood Academy graduates giving again to South Aspect group

CHICAGO (CBS)– Some companies are about greater than making a living — they’re about giving again to the communities.

That is the case with the first-ever Black-owned sliced bread firm that was began by a gaggle of mates from proper right here in Chicago.

The best factor since sliced bread. You may need mentioned it, with out even figuring out it dates again to 1928. That is when the primary pre-sliced packaged bread was bought.

“What’s loopy is it took 100 years for Black folks to be a part of this business,” Charles Alexander of the Black Bread Firm. “To reap the advantages of our households and our group consuming bread on daily basis.”

The Black Bread Firm launched in February of 2021 to commemorate Black Historical past Month. Now, these three mates and fathers from Chicago’s South Aspect are one yr within the recreation. 

They aren’t simply promoting, they’re serving. 

“You can begin a enterprise, achieve success in enterprise and nonetheless be about your folks and the place you come,” Alexander mentioned. 

As merchandise of Chicago Public Faculties, all graduates of Kenwood Academy, they’re educating the teachings realized in all these loaves to CPS college students.

“Thirty for 30,” Alexander mentioned. “Our aim is to hit 30 CPS faculties in 30 days or extra. Freed from cost. We simply need to come and present like to encourage and inspire and say we had been in these seats and look what we did.”

The staff additionally hires interns by way of a partnership with Phalanx Household Companies — which connects South Aspect youth to careers.

Of their greatest transfer but, the blokes at the moment are providing a slice of their success by way of an fairness crowdfunding marketing campaign.

For $2.78 per share and a minimal buy-in of $250.20, you may make investments. And inside simply 45 days…

“Over a thousand traders and over $700,000 {dollars} in investments, so now our group has a stake in our firm,” Jamal Lewis mentioned. 

The homeowners mentioned they acquired emails from first-time traders. 

So any method you slice it, the bread enterprise is trying up for this trio as they carry up these round them.

“We’re pleased with that, being a part of our group studying and rising collectively and being open to new concepts and possession,” Lewis mentioned. 

The bread is distributed from a warehouse in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. And now bought in 70 shops throughout Chicagoland, plus shipped internationally. The Black Bread Firm was simply valued at $51 million.

You’ll be able to study extra about their crowdfunding marketing campaign happening proper now on the Black Bread Company’s website.