The ARK Entrepreneurial

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The ARK Entrepreneurial The ARK Entrepreneurial™ empowers youth to think like CEOs and build like entrepreneurs.

Through entrepreneurship, financial literacy, leadership, workforce development, and hands-on vocational training, we turn young ideas into real opportunities.

We had to share this! ❤️Recently, a teen in our Be Entrepreneurial workforce development program, offered in partnership...
10/05/2026

We had to share this! ❤️

Recently, a teen in our Be Entrepreneurial workforce development program, offered in partnership with and funded through the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, experienced a mental health crisis and came to The ARK for help.

And we were there.

Our Social Worker and School Clinical Mental Health Therapist immediately stepped in. Our CEO and School Social Worker later accompanied him to urgent care, where he received the care he needed.

Thankfully, he is doing so much better.

Our CEO is sharing this card, with the participant’s name, school information, and all identifying information blocked out, to highlight why youth development must focus on the WHOLE child.

We don’t just teach skills, business and prepare youth for the workforce. We make sure they know they are supported, cared for, and have trusted adults to turn to when they need help.

That’s what serving the whole child looks like.

We are grateful he is back in school and thriving!!!

WELCOME TO THE ARK, FRANCESCA COLE-BARNES, LCPC!We’re excited to welcome Francesca Cole-Barnes, a Licensed Clinical Prof...
09/23/2026

WELCOME TO THE ARK, FRANCESCA COLE-BARNES, LCPC!

We’re excited to welcome Francesca Cole-Barnes, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 8 years of experience, as The ARK Entrepreneurial™ Mental Health Therapist!

As our young people navigate school, entrepreneurship, and career pathways, Francesca will help ensure they are equipped with the social and emotional skills to thrive.

At The ARK, we’re not just building future entrepreneurs and leaders—we’re supporting the whole child.

Help us welcome Francesca to The ARK family! 👏🏽

Because YOU asked, WE made it happen!Transportation services are available! Slots are filling fast! Apply today!
09/22/2026

Because YOU asked, WE made it happen!
Transportation services are available! Slots are filling fast! Apply today!

WE’RE BUILDING THE ARK!A closed school is coming back to life. The ARK Entrepreneurial™ is transforming the former Pader...
08/30/2026

WE’RE BUILDING THE ARK!

A closed school is coming back to life. The ARK Entrepreneurial™ is transforming the former Paderewski Elementary School into a 48,000+ sq. ft. cradle-to-career campus for young people in North Lawndale.

Follow the build. Watch the vision become reality.

https://arkec.org/development

MEET THE NEW ARK BOARD!New organization. New leadership. Same heart. Same mission.We are excited to introduce the new Bo...
08/10/2026

MEET THE NEW ARK BOARD!

New organization. New leadership. Same heart. Same mission.

We are excited to introduce the new Board of Directors of The ARK Entrepreneurial™ a group of leaders committed to governance, transparency, accountability, and most importantly, our YOUTH!

Our Board isn't here just to have their names on a website. They are here to govern, support, advise, oversee, and help move the mission forward.

We are grateful for leaders willing to bring their time, talent, expertise, resources, and HEART to The ARK.

This is what rebuilding looks like.

MS. SUNNY HAS BEEN BUSY! Over the past 7 weeks, Ms. Sunny has been BUSY rebuilding!A new ARK. A new location. A new Boar...
08/10/2026

MS. SUNNY HAS BEEN BUSY!

Over the past 7 weeks, Ms. Sunny has been BUSY rebuilding!
A new ARK. A new location. A new Board. A renewed team. New partnerships. And a fresh start. 🙌🏽

After separating from the former organization, Ms. Sunny made the decision to start again bringing with her the same heart, vision, program model, and assets she originally created to serve our young people.

Today, The ARK Entrepreneurial™ is moving forward with a new and diverse Board of Directors, original staff and team members, community partners, and a new location with transparency, accountability, collaboration, and ethical leadership at the center of everything we do.

For clarity, The ARK Entrepreneurial™ is NOT affiliated with ARK Entrepreneurial Center located at 2458 S. Millard Ave.
Ms. Sunny previously served as co-founder and CEO of that organization. After raising concerns regarding governance, including the composition of the board and the lack of regular board meetings, the former board voted to give increased supervisory and management authority to then-Chairman Dr. Noah Nicholson II. Ms. Sunny ultimately separated from the organization and chose to START AGAIN.

And start again she DID!

Ms. Sunny is bringing forward the branding, logos, program concepts, curriculum, website content, and other intellectual property she created as The ARK enters this new chapter.
Over the coming weeks, you will see our platforms updated with our new Board, leadership, staff, programs, partners, and new location.

A HUGE thank you to our diverse Board of Directors, original staff, team members, partners, families, and supporters who have stepped up and helped make all of this possible in just seven weeks!

We are excited to restart ethically, transparently, collaboratively, and most importantly—with the SAME HEART and original mission of our Founder:

Creating opportunities for inner-city youth through entrepreneurial development.

Same heart. Same mission. New leadership. New organization. NEW BEGINNING.

Welcome to The ARK Entrepreneurial™.

Yeah We Crafty ! 😎
05/12/2026

Yeah We Crafty ! 😎

05/09/2026

Teacher Appreciation Week looked a little different this year 🌴✈️

Thank you to our amazing partners for making it possible to send two of our incredible tutor teachers to Puerto Rico! Your support means the world to us. 💛

And a special THANK YOU to Ms. Leslie & Ms. Kiki for your dedication, patience, and love for our youth every single day. We appreciate all that you do for ARK! 🙌🏽📚

03/27/2026

At The ARK, our Boss Babies learn entrepreneurship through play. That’s why when you see them at our annual Youth Boss Expo, they interact with customers, handle transactions, and carry conversations so naturally—because they’ve been learning these skills in a fun, repeated, hands-on way.

Our Mini Bosses and Big Bosses go through more intensive training, but for our youngest entrepreneurs, this playful approach makes learning how to lead a company exciting, enjoyable, and age-appropriate. ❤️

On Friday, The ARK Entrepreneurial Center received a letter of tentative approval for funding through the Illinois State...
03/02/2026

On Friday, The ARK Entrepreneurial Center received a letter of tentative approval for funding through the Illinois State Board of Education!

This is more than funding — it’s expanded opportunity.

It means we can grow our programs, reach more youth, and create new pathways for impact in our community. We remain committed to developing tomorrow’s leaders through entrepreneurial education and mentorship.

We’re just getting started. 🚀

Address

2538 S. Blue Island Avenue
Chicago, IL
60608

Opening Hours

Monday 3pm - 7pm
Tuesday 3pm - 7pm
Wednesday 3pm - 7pm
Thursday 3pm - 7pm
Friday 3pm - 7pm

Telephone

+17734757790

Website

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