Tuesday, February 20, 2024

McHenry County African American Business Owners Spotlighted at Black History Month Event

Donna Lowe Salon will host of the McHenry County Black History Month Community Celebration.

McHenry County Entrepreneurs will be honored at a Black History Month Community Celebration at Donna Lowe Salon, 772 South Randall Road in Algonquin this Sunday, February 25 from noon to 2 pm. 

The African American Business Owners honored are:

 

                    Donna Lowe.

Donna Lowe of the Donna Lowe Salon, a full-service hair salon in Algonquin. Contact 224 558-3216 or email donnalowesalon@gmail.com. The team provides exceptional customer service, healthy hair care, and a convenient location.  “We aspire to create an environment where people from every culture feels welcome and comfortable, upon walking through our doors.”  Lowe opened the salon in March of 2016. At the time, it was unique in McHenry County as the only Multi-Cultural salon and barbershop, specializing in natural ethnic hairstyling and care. Her conviction was that no child in the county should be without such a fundamental service as quality haircare.  Her goal was to be a bridge builder in the community while providing the highest level of professional care and service in the industry.

                       Chef Joanne Thomas.

Chef Joanne Thomas of Serenity Soul Corporation provides a variety of services from small pastries to fully catered events like birthdays, graduations, weddings, and other events.  Contact Thomas at www.ChefJoanneThomas.com, 224 858-8738, or email: info@ChefJoanneThomas.com.  “As a child, I always had a passion for culinary.  My mother was a great cook. My passion grew as I became older. As an adult, while in the Marine Corps, my room would be the one my friends came to for meals, not the chow hall.  I would find any excuse to have a party just to have the opportunity to entertain and serve my guests.”  

                                                       Tangie Taylor.
 

Tangie Taylor of Tangies Kitchen is located at 3106 Three Oaks Road in Cary. She can be reached at 815 846-0917. With over 10 years in the foodservice industry, Taylor is proud to have opened a small business in Cary.  She  serves some of the favorite foods that she grew up eating on the West Side of Chicago. Tangie’s Kitchen offers comfort food, soul food, BBQ and a few of her personally developed dishes inspired by her family’s tradition of gathering around the table and sharing stories and time with each other, creating some of her fondest memories of love, laughter, and family. 

                       Gloria Dillard.

Gloria Dillard of GMSity Embroidery is located in Lake in the Hills.  “I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a small business owner and began organizing my business to become a legacy. Over the years, I have learned to embroider, from simple letters on robes and slippers to digitizing photos and creating cute and functional items such as coin purses, clutches, keyrings, and more. In addition to being a small business owner, I am also a Research Grants Director at my current job and a mother of two adult children and seven grandchildren.  I serve as the Vice President of Pheobes Legacy Inc. which provides support to women who have experienced trauma. I am dedicated to helping those in need and providing my customers with high-quality products that they can be proud to wear or display.”  Send any questions regarding the company and/or the products offered, email at gms@gmsembroiderydesigns.com  or call 312 834-7083.  Response time is 24—48 hours. 

Rodney Katushabe.

Rodney Katushabe is the owner of  FinArk Bookkeeping Services for Businesses.  Katushabe is a young entrepreneur, a great motivator, and a passionate speaker. He graduated from McHenry County College with top honors and was chosen as a Student Commencement Speaker. He earned an associate degree in business management within a period of less than one year while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. He was also involved in student organizations at the college including Black Student Union, Speech and Debate team, and Phi Theta Kappa at MCC. He also received 8 awards  making him MCC’s top Award Recipient.  He was also chosen as the featured keynote speaker for the first annual Juneteenth Celebration in McHenry County. Due to his impeccable academic record, community, and business involvement, he was awarded the Honors Scholarship at Northeastern Illinois University where he furthers his education majoring in accounting.  He partners with other CPAs, accounting experts, and advisors to provide expert services and  resources to small businesses and entrepreneurs.   Call 872 216-3849 for an appointment and consultation.

 

Emily Ferguson in floral dress at the first annual McHenry County Juneteenth celebration.

Emily Ferguson, an independent contractor for 25 years, assisted in organizing this event. Emily is currently enrolled at MCC pursuing a Certification in Entrepreneurship.  She hopes that the event will spark the creation of the McHenry County African American Business Association (MCAABA) which she is organizing.

For more information about the MCAABA contact Ferguson at 312 538-8478 or emmefergie@gmail.com. 

For more information about the Black History Month Celebration contact Donna Lowe at 224-558-3216 or email donnalowesalon@gmail.com.

 

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