Spectrum of Success: Negotiating Growth and Scaling Your Business

Spectrum of Success: Negotiating Growth and Scaling Your Business
Thursday, June 27, 2024 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM | Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway | Registration Required

Are you an LGBTQIA+ business owner looking to take your business to new heights? Join us for an insightful panel discussion on "Negotiating Growth: How to Negotiate Terms and Contracts" on June 27th at the Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway in Chicago.

In this first installment of the Spectrum of Success Series by PrideArts, presented in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce (DCEO), Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE), we'll dive into the art of contractional design and negotiation techniques as pivotal roles in scaling your business. Our esteemed panelists, Ri Prasad, Managing Director at AR2 Homes; Roux Nolan, Principal at Co-op.Partners; and Elizabeth Carter, Managing Attorney at ELCESQ, will share their expertise on navigating contracts with landlords, suppliers, distributors, leases, officials and financial institutions.

You'll gain valuable insights on:

• Strategies for negotiating favorable terms and conditions

• Understanding the legal implications of contracts

• Building strong relationships with stakeholders

• Leveraging strategies for business growth

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from industry leaders and connect with fellow LGBTQIA entrepreneurs. In addition to the panel discussion, there will be ample time for networking and socializing, allowing you to expand your professional circle and forge valuable connections.

Tickets are limited so please make sure to secure your spot by registering for this empowering event. Together, we'll explore the art of negotiation and unlock the keys to sustainable growth for your LGBTQIA business.

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About Our Panelists

Roux Nolan

Roux Nolan is an accomplished entrepreneur, community developer, and advocate for the economic and sociopolitical representation of gender and sexual minorities. He serves as the Principal of the nationally acclaimed Co-op.Partners I Food.Partners, which works to democratize businesses and organizations globally.

Having started his first company at 16 by soliciting investments from local leaders to teach youth about entrepreneurship, Roux specializes in combating exploitation by developing equitable businesses and organizations from underinvested communities. His work spans from protecting undocumented individuals from political retribution to bringing innovative, trauma-informed capital to neighborhoods in need.

Roux also serves as a business development specialist for the Cooperative Education Center and was a finalist for the $2.5M JPMorgan Chase AdvancingCities Initiative representing Latinx survivors of violence and exploitation. His work has been highlighted in various media, including the Uptown Podcast, Sprudge Online Magazine, New York Magazine, Time Out, and GQ.

Roux has received numerous industry awards, including the Up & Coming Scholarship by the Howard Bowers Fund, the Cecilia Fandel Award for Community and Economic Development, and the 2018 One Person Can Make A Difference Award by the Provender Alliance Trade Association.

Educated at Franklin University Switzerland, the University of Cambridge, The Marriott School of Management, and The Culinary Institute of America, Roux brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his roles. He serves on the Board of Directors of PrideArts, REJUVaNATION, and The Becton International Black Theater and Arts Consortium. As a community developer and equal rights activist, Roux specializes in trauma-informed strategies for underinvested and underrepresented communities.

Roux is also the Principal of Co-op.Partners, a social impact firm focused on developing democratized systems in business and civics, centered on organizational development, community resilience, representation in the arts, and the development of Solidarity Generative Artificial Intelligence. Additionally, he is the Managing Partner at AR2 Homes, leading efforts in sustainable and equitable housing development.

As an equal rights activist, Roux works to bring resources to gender, sexual, and racial minority communities. He was the inaugural president of Wild Onion Market, and a business instructor for the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation. He also serves on the Community Wealth Building Committees around Chicago. As a member of the LGBT and Philippine American Chambers of Commerce, Roux has been recognized with several awards, underscoring his commitment to community and economic development. He is a dual-citizen and first-generation American.

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Ri Prasad

With a distinguished background as a former marketing executive, real estate investor, and developer, Ri Prasad stands at the forefront of innovative solutions to complex fair housing development challenges. She passionately combats exploitative practices in the real estate industry.

As the Managing Director of AR2 Homes, Ri is dedicated to transforming Chicagoland through affordable housing and equitable commercial development, focusing on sustainable and inclusive community growth. She also heads the commercial division of Option Realty Group and serves as the incoming 2025 Chair of The 77, the Chicago Association of Realtors Leadership Diversity Committee for fair housing as a solution to economic development. Further, she is a dedicated member of the CAR’s Sustainability Workgroup for Green Construction and Building Efficiency, advocating for sustainable building practices and environmental responsibility.

Ri’s prominence extends through her service on various boards and organizations including the Chicago Tool Library, Co-op.Partners, REJUVaNATION Equity Development Cooperative, PAWS Chicago, and CPR Rescue, showcasing her commitment to community, climate, and animal rights.

Ri’s transformational work spans nearly every neighborhood in Chicago. As a bi-national, bi-cultural immigrant, she brings a unique perspective to her role with AR2 Homes, aiming for long-term national implications. Her expertise includes green construction, building efficiency, resident protection against "greenwashing," and promoting equity growth through sustainable initiatives. Ri holds an MBA in Marketing and Advertising Campaigns from Purdue University, a Certified Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), and a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), which reflects her exceptional skills in negotiation, pricing.

Ri's accolades include being elected as the CAR designated representative for East and West Garfield Park and Austin, where she serves as a community advocate and advisor to property and asset professionals. She actively engages with local chambers of commerce, community development corporations, and quasi-governmental bodies to secure placemaking grants and neighborhood opportunity funds.

Her educational background in marketing and advertising, coupled with her extensive experience in both commercial and residential real estate, positions her as a leader in the industry, driving forward-thinking strategies and sustainable practices that benefit Illinois.

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Elizabeth Carter

Elizabeth is an inclusive redeveloper, community planner, and corporate securities attorney within the commercial real estate finance industry where she provides counsel, strategy, and compliance to redevelopers, real estate companies, and real estate investment funds raising capital from investors, public finance, and other sources of real estate finance. She also has a background in community economic development where she previously served as special counsel within the Dept. of Economic & Housing Development of the City of Newark, NJ.

In her role as an attorney, Elizabeth has drafted legislation, created policy, led and counseled multi-million dollar inclusive redevelopment projects, represented cooperatives, and other businesses in a variety of industries, including hair care; skin care; cannabis; stem cell research; electric vehicle chargers; and ride-share apps.

Elizabeth is also a founding member of a Black woman-owned holding cooperative that is designed to assist Black women entrepreneurs to scale and sustain their businesses through a membership-based, business ecosystem that provides in-house legal, accounting, marketing, co-packing, warehousing, back office support, childcare, business funding, and affordable commercial space. Elizabeth has a Masters in Urban Planning and a Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University, as well as a Bachelor’s of

Arts (honors) in political science, philosophy, and African-American studies from the University of Michigan. She has obtained numerous fellowships, most recently the recognition as a Harvard Law & Political Economy Scholar for her work within the political and restorative economy space, especially as it concerns cooperatives and other inclusive structures designed to combat systemic racism.

About Our Sponsor

About PrideArts

PrideArts is a groundbreaking arts organization dedicated to amplifying LGBTQ+ voices and experiences through powerful storytelling. Since its inception in 2010, PrideArts has been at the forefront of queer theater, producing acclaimed plays, musicals, cabarets, and community events that celebrate the rich diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.

A Trailblazing Journey

PrideArts began as an itinerant theater company, bringing its bold and authentic productions to various venues across the city for its first six seasons. In 2016, the company established a permanent home with the Pride Arts Center, becoming its primary tenant. The facility has allowed PrideArts to expand its programming and solidify its position as a leading force in queer arts and culture.

Celebrating Diversity and Excellence

Over the years, PrideArts has garnered numerous accolades, including 39 Jeff Awards and nominations, and six nominations in the 2019 ALTA Awards from the Alliance of Latinx Theater Artists of Chicago. The company's programming reflects the vibrant tapestry of queer communities, showcasing works by and illuminating the experiences of women, gay men, transgender individuals, and BIPOC artists.

A Commitment to Inclusivity and Representation

PrideArts is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. Through its thought-provoking and entertaining productions, the company aims to promote understanding, empathy, and acceptance, while challenging societal norms and pushing boundaries.

Support and Involvement

PrideArts is grateful for the support of various organizations, including the Illinois Arts Council, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Alphawood Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Arts Work Fund, Driehaus Foundation, and The Saints. The company is also an active member of the Buena Park Neighborhood Association, Uptown United, League of Chicago Theaters, and the Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce of Illinois.

To learn more about PrideArts, its upcoming productions, and how to support its mission, please visit www.pridearts.org or call 1.773 857 0222.