Help Chicago’s Chinatown Build a Sustainable Future

Photo © Courtesy of the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community

Help Chicago’s Chinatown Build a Sustainable Future

Did you know Chicago’s Chinatown is the only growing Chinatown in the country?

This cultural gem is steadily growing, a testament to the vibrancy, resilience, and dynamism of immigrant communities in Chicago. Even through the challenges of gentrification, economic shifts, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC) is at the forefront of efforts to preserve and strengthen Chicago’s Chinatown.

Past, Present, Future

Since the beginning of CBCAC in 1998, the organization has been a powerful advocate for the Chinese American community in Greater Chicago. From championing voting rights and civic engagement to spearheading community planning initiatives, CBCAC has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of Chinatown’s development. Over the years, while their commitment to growth has remained, their focus has evolved to address pressing issues like digital equity, youth empowerment, and small business sustainability.

The landscape of Chicago’s Chinatown has undergone significant transformation in recent years. The pandemic shuttered many beloved local businesses, damaging the community’s cultural fabric. However, true to its roots, CBCAC knows that revitalizing a community starts from within. By fostering locally invested businesses and enhancing accessibility through small business activation programs and placemaking initiatives, the organization is on a mission to reclaim Chinatown’s identity as a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly haven.

A Community Superpower

Community-driven solutions are at the heart of CBCAC. Their collaborative efforts have led to incredible results, from securing grants for digital literacy programs for seniors and new immigrants to initiating the Chinatown Vision Plan in partnership with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

One of CBCAC’s most impactful community initiatives is its ongoing efforts to revitalize Chinatown’s commercial landscape. CBCAC has partnered with the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) to launch the Storefront Activation Program: CanalPOP!, an innovative initiative that aims to empower small businesses, combat gentrification, and preserve Chinatown’s cultural uniqueness. Located at 2238 S. Canal Street, CanalPOP! brings the three neighborhoods together in one location. Its balance of subsidized retail space and entrepreneurship support nurtures a new generation of AAPI entrepreneurs, fostering economic diversity and vitality at the same time.

The program’s vision is to transform the commercial landscape of Chinatown into a district where people can enjoy delicious cuisine and engage with cultural heritage, while enjoying fashionable retail stores. The storefront will feature four fashion shops, two ceramics, and one small-business tea vendor. The initiative is dedicated to uplifting small businesses, and to do so, they will host special markets, festivals celebrating Chinese culture, and seminars for businesses to scale up and grow their business in the right way.

A Cultural Gem

The path to sustainability lies in collective action and collaboration, and CBCAC is well-versed in both of those areas. A significant milestone in our journey towards sustainability came with the designation of Chinatown as a State Cultural District. This recognition not only celebrates Chinatown’s rich heritage but also opens doors to vital resources and support to preserve local businesses, prevent the displacement of current residents, and strengthen the area’s economic growth.

Between CBCAC’s focus on economic development, anti-displacement measures, affordable housing, and transportation improvements, Chinatown’s future is bright, full of inclusive growth and opportunity. The best part is that community endeavors are made stronger when more of the community is involved—the more, the merrier, which means you can get involved too!

Whether donating, volunteering, supporting local businesses, or simply spreading the word, your support helps preserve Chinatown’s heritage and foster a thriving community for generations to come.

Visit cbcacchicago.org/donate to support our efforts and make a meaningful difference in Chinatown’s future. Follow us on Instagram @cbcacchicago for the latest updates and opportunities to get involved. Let’s build a sustainable future for Chinatown together.