Essentially Collections Medical Apparel - Black History Month Q&A
In this featured Q&A, we spotlight Essentially Collections Medical Apparel, the first Black-owned medical apparel company in Kankakee County. Founded by retired nurse Toni R. Wilson, this story shares how resilience, reinvention, and purpose led to building a business that serves essential workers with comfort, durability, and style.
Luxe & Loaded Firearms Academy - Black History Month Q&A
In this featured Q&A, we spotlight Luxe & Loaded Firearms Academy, a women veteran-owned training company in Downtown Kankakee. Founded by U.S. Army veteran and retired law enforcement officer Karen Bond, this story highlights leadership, empowerment, and the mission to create safe, welcoming spaces for firearm education and community safety.
Fresh Kuts - Black History Month Q&A
In this featured Q&A, we spotlight Fresh Kuts, a Black-owned, community-centered barbershop rooted in culture, mentorship, and precision. From humble beginnings cutting hair out of necessity to building a space that strengthens confidence and community, this story reflects perseverance, faith, and dedication to serving Kankakee one fresh cut at a time.
Resilient Comfort Care - Black History Month Q&A
In this featured Q&A, we spotlight Resilient Comfort Care, a Black-owned home care agency in Downtown Kankakee. From personal experience caring for a loved one to building a trusted business that supports seniors and families, this story highlights compassion, perseverance, and the meaningful impact of serving your community.
The Venu’ - Black History Month Q&A
In this featured Q&A, we spotlight The Venu’ Lounge and V2 Event Space and the vision behind creating two dynamic gathering spaces in Downtown Kankakee. From live jazz and crafted cocktails to intimate celebrations and community events, this story highlights perseverance, purpose, and the power of investing in your own dream.
906 Clothing - Black History Month Q&A
In this featured Q&A, we highlight a local Black-owned business - 906 Clothing - in Downtown Kankakee and share the story behind the owner’s journey. From how the business began to the challenges, inspiration, and impact within the community, this conversation celebrates entrepreneurship, representation, and the power of building legacy close to home.
Building An Archive: Preserving Kankakee's Black Business History
Downtown Kankakee is where our community, culture, and history meet. It's a place where all are welcome to gather and celebrate all the vibrancy of our city. As we continue telling the story of our city's downtown heritage, we've recognized an important gap: much of the history of Black entrepreneurship in Kankakee has never been formally documented or preserved.
This Black History Month, we're launching a community archive project to change that.
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Essential Smoothies - Black History Month Q&A
In this featured Q&A, we highlight Essential Smoothies, a local Black-owned business in Downtown Kankakee, and share the story behind the owner’s journey. From how the business began to the challenges, inspiration, and impact within the community, this conversation celebrates entrepreneurship, representation, and the power of building legacy close to home.
A Familiar Face Steps into a Big Role: Congratulations to Angelina Gear, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County
Downtown Kankakee has no shortage of passionate community champions, but every once in a while, someone comes along who seems to show up everywhere — sleeves already rolled up, ideas already flowing. For us, that person is Angelina Gear, and we are thrilled to celebrate her official appointment as Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County.
Visit Kankakee County, the region’s destination marketing organization, recently announced Gear’s appointment after she stepped in as the Interim Executive Director in December 2025. It’s a role that feels like a perfect fit for someone who has been quietly (and not so quietly) pouring herself into this community for years.
Angelina is no stranger to the work of building up Kankakee County. Before her interim appointment, she spent more than three years as Visit Kankakee County’s Sales and Marketing Manager, developing destination marketing strategies, deepening partnerships with local businesses and municipalities, and raising the county’s profile across regional and state tourism markets. The Board of Directors’ decision to make her appointment official reflects the trust and confidence she has earned every step of the way.
Her story also has a hometown heart to it. After spending more than fifteen years living across the country — Missouri, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and Texas — Angelina came back to Kankakee County with fresh eyes and a renewed love for the place she calls home. As Visit Kankakee County board president Dave Baron put it, that experience gives her exactly the right perspective to showcase what makes this region special and draw even more people here.
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