News

Wintrust Bank Wintrust Bank, a prominent Chicago-based financial institution known for its community-focused approach, has partnered with The Aux, a cooperative business incubator in Evanston, Illinois. This collaboration aims to support Black-owned businesses and promote economic equity in the region. Through this partnership, Wintrust provides financial services, mentorship, and resources to entrepreneurs affiliated with The Aux, fostering inclusive growth and community development. Website Services Limited financial services Lending solutions Financial literacy Tenants and entrepreneurs benefit from access to capital, banking guidance, and strategic financial planning support directly onsite at The Aux. Impact   This partnership strengthens The Aux’s mission to foster economic equity By offering tailored financial tools and hands-on support Wintrust helps accelerate business development, job creation, and long-term sustainability within the local ecosystem. Wellness Recognizing financial health as a key pillar of overall wellness, this collaboration aligns with The Aux’s holistic vision. Through workshops, coaching, and responsible banking access, Wintrust helps individuals understand the benefits of understanding money.  Having healthy financial relationships with money reduce stress, build wealth, and thrive both personally and professionally.

Studio 8 Studio 8 is a creative media studio inside of The Aux. It’s operated by The Eight Effect. It’s home to original shows like 1931, Our Unseen Roots and Our Unseen Dads. Studio 8 offers a professional space for local creators to produce podcasts, video content, and storytelling projects. Studio 8 is here to amplify community voices and make space for stories that matter. The Eight Effect is a Black women-led consultancy/creative collective helping people lead with confidence, clarity, and impact. Inspired by the boldness we all had at age eight. we help underrepresented leaders tell their stories and reclaim their power. Website Services Podcast recording Story Telling Rentable Podcast time (TBD) Impact   Provides an opportunity for the community to tell their own story Supports healthy communication and increases literacy in health, wealth or just finding your voice Wellness Community Wellness Spiritual Wellness Emotional Wellness

Chef Nicole has a journey and she brings those unique experiences to tables across this community. She will be operating a full service catering and Personal Chef and Cooking Instructor business right here at The Aux.

She has a daughter named Londyn, who affectionately goes by the name Chicky… now you understand the business name!!!

She has a wealth of knowledge gained in the hospitality industry and wants to bring her clients the highest quality of service and food.

She’s a proud Evanston kid that wants to give back to her community and more. Watch her work!

The Aux Wellness Collective Welcome to The AUX Wellness Collective, a unique and inclusive community space designed to inspire, heal, and empower individuals on their journey to building a sustainable wellness lifestyle. Services Movement Studio: Yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi Qi Gong, dance, martial arts Mindfulness and Meditation/Breathwork Treatment Rooms/Offices: Individual/Group Coaching and Therapy, Massage Reiki and Acupuncture  Coaching Services  Multi Purpose Room: Wellness workshops and programming Collective Wellness Retail Space: A variety of vendors offering a range of wellness and personal care products Impact Increasing community access to culturally competent wellness services Offering a platform to wellness practitioners of color who will offer services ranging from fitness, wellness coaching, mental health, meditation, and movement healing practices Provide retail space for entrepreneurs and artisans who will offer handcrafted wellness products Learn More Wellness The AUX Wellness Collective, a unique and innovative community space designed to inspire, heal, and empower individuals on their journey to building a sustainable wellness lifestyle.   Step into a world of self-discovery, healing, and growth as you embark on a transformative journey, where wellness becomes a way of life. About The Aux Wellness Collective In today’s fast-paced world, stress and burnout have become all too common. At The AUX Wellness Collective, we believe that everyone deserves a sanctuary where they can escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and focus on their holistic well-being. “The Aux Wellness Collective is where wellness becomes a way of life.” -Berenice Osinaike

The Sokana Collective are a group of like-minded birth workers and educators with various skills within the life cycle. Our Doula agency is leading the change to remove barriers for birth workers and families through education and service.

The Laundry Cafe is where community meets necessity and laundry is reimagined. It’s a space where neighbors gather, wash clothes, sip coffee, and enjoy a relaxing vibe.

It’s clean, it’s cozy, It’s connection!

Just wash, sip, and repeat!

The Aux is offering a unique opportunity for those that have mastered your craft, but haven’t made room for a full business quite yet.  There is a pop up space available for those that have mastered art, jewelry, crafts, food and more can be sold at The Aux through our Pop-Up space inside our Ikun. Ikun is a Nigerian (Yoruba) word that means “belly” and the Ikun is the center here at The Aux. It is our meeting place of all things good. There are other opportunities in selected businesses throughout the building as well. Come connect! Services Impact Wellness Spiritual, emotional, social/community wellness

Sunshine Enterprises’ mission is to empower local entrepreneurs in underserved areas to grow their businesses and transform their communities through the avenues of training, coaching, and connecting them to vital marketplace opportunities.

Owned and operated by the talented Tiff Wilson, Embrace Your Crown is more than a salon, it is a full-service beauty bar dedicated to helping you love, nurture, and show off your crown — one strand at a time.

Specializing in healthy, head-turning hair, Tiffany is here to make sure your hair care routine feels like royal treatment.

From natural styles to protective care and everything in between, Embrace Your Crown is all about confidence, community, and crown elevation.