South East Chicago Commission

Pouring for a Purpose
2026-01-27 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | Mesler Kitchen | Bar | Lounge, 1401 E 53rd St, Chicago, 60615, United States
Sip. Connect. Give Back.
Enjoy a curated wine tasting experience by Shall We Wine, a Chicago lifestyle brand founded by Regine T. Rousseau, award-winning wine & spirits educator, certified sommelier, dynamic media personality, and lifestyle advisor.
What’s Included
•A guided wine tasting experience
•Bites from Mesler Kitchen’s New American–inspired menu
•Meet Mesler Kitchen’s new Chef Malcolm Hilliard
•One entry into a prize drawing featuring hotel stays, local restaurant gift certificates, and wine
•A special gift for all guests from Mesler Kitchen & Bar

Invitation: SECC – Fundraiser Event Invitation-v2 (1)

Panel on Emerging Redevelopment Hotspots
2026-02-12 09:00 - 11:45 | IL
This panel will look at the momentum behind heavily publicized initiatives while reviewing areas that are developing new strategies to jump-start investment.
Panelists Include:

David Doig, President, Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives

Chris Brewer, Vice President, AECOM Economics

Diane Burnham, Executive Director, South East Chicago Commission

Rob Rose, Managing Director, Rose Capital Group

Details:
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026
9:00am – 11:45am
DePaul Center, 1 E Jackson Blvd.
$50 Registration Fee

17th Annual Woodlawn Summit
2026-03-21 08:00 - 12:30 | Edith Abbott Hall, 969 E 60th St, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
*** NEW DATE ALERT *** The 17th Annual Woodlawn Community Summit will now be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
The Woodlawn Community Summit is a collaboration of neighbors, youth groups, elected leaders, business owners, and community stakeholders seeking to promote the comprehensive growth and well-being of Woodlawn and its surrounding communities.
With leadership from the South East Chicago Commission, the Summit has grown from its infancy into a standing-room-only community leadership model worthy of recognition and replication as a model for civic engagement.
The 2026 Woodlawn Summit theme, “Deep Roots, Strong Future” provides a glimpse to the focus on the Woodlawn Community from a resident’s perspective.
Please Register to Reserve Your Spot for Saturday, March 21.

Night at the Theatre 2026
2026-04-16 17:30 - 21:30 | Smart Museum, 5550 S Greenwood Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Join us for an evening of community, fundraising, and a fantastic theatrical showcase in the debut of OUT HERE, a courageous new musical at the Tony Award-winning Court Theatre.

Experience an intimate look at family, joy, and the unexpected freedom found in letting go—all set to a pulsing, punk-folk soundtrack.

A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | COMMUNITY RECEPTION
Gather with neighbors and friends for small bites and an open bar before the show.
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM | MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: OUT HERE
Witness the world premiere production that upends expectations of what a musical can be.

$75 per person for reception and theatre ticket
$25 per person donation for reception only

SECC_ANightattheTheater-2026-OfficialInvite

Women in Business Power Hour Lunch
2026-06-03 11:00 - 13:00 | The Study, 1227 E 60th Street, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, SECC will host the Women in Business Power Hour Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The Study at the University of Chicago, located at 1227 E. 60th Street. The event will feature networking, a catered lunch, and a panel discussion focused on connecting women’s advancement to some of the city’s most important economic engines.
The program, “Connecting Women’s Advancement to Chicago’s Economic Engines,” will highlight practical ways women-led businesses and professionals can grow through public funding, innovation, entrepreneurship resources, and Chicago’s expanding visitor economy.
Networking and lunch will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by the panel discussion at 11:30 a.m. Additional time to connect with speakers and attendees will begin at 12:30 p.m.
CLICK TO REGISTER

Power Hour Lunch: Infrastructure, Data & the Future Economy
2026-09-16 11:00 - 13:00 | The Study, 1227 E 60th Street, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
SECC Invites You to the Southside Connection Symposium Power Hour Lunch:
Infrastructure, Data & the Future Economy
The South East Chicago Commission (SECC) cordially invites our local business community and interested neighbors to join us for our upcoming Southside Connection Symposium Power Hour Lunch on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
To guide this conversation, we are bringing together incredibly savvy thought leaders whose insights and unique perspectives will be immensely valuable to our audience.
Meet Our Speakers:
• Moderator: Dr. William W. Towns – Adjunct Professor, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
• Aleena Agrawal – Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, P33 Chicago
• Craig Huffman – Co-Founder & CEO, Metro Edge Development Partners
We highly encourage you to bring a colleague to share in the insights and networking opportunities! To make this easier, we are offering a special discounted rate when you purchase two tickets together.
• Single Ticket: $25 per seat
• Bring-a-Colleague Special: $40 for two tickets ($20 per seat)
More info: https://secc-chicago.org/small-business-connection-series
