Community Introduction + Design Charrette for Ethola & BSCP Hall
Discover West Pullman's concept Ethola Restaurant & BSCP Hall, a vision of Dr Bademosi celebrating culture, community & economic development
Date and time
Location
846 W 119th St
846 West 119th Street Chicago, IL 60643About this event
- Event lasts 2 hours
Community Introduction + Design Charrette for Ethola & BSCP Hall
Join us for an exciting event where we introduce the Dr Adelanke Bademosi and his vision for Ethola & BSCP Hall project to the community! We'll be hosting a Design Charrette where everyone can share their ideas and visions for this upcoming space. The event will be held in person at 846 W 119th St. Don't miss out on this opportunity to be a part of shaping our community's future!
ETHOLA & BSCP Hall is coming to West Pullman, and we want you to help shape it!
Join us for an interactive Community Design Charrette + Vision Session as we co-create ETHOLA, a vibrant new cultural venue that blends Nigerian-American cuisine, circular design, and community-centered programming in the heart of Chicago’s Far South Side. This exciting corridor development will also be home to BSCP Hall, a state-of-the-art gathering and event space named in honor of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, a tribute to Black labor, legacy, and cultural excellence.
Once open, the space will feature live jazz, curated cultural events, and a menu rooted in wellness and heritage. This session is your chance to help shape it from the ground up.
We are proud to partner with Community Assistance Programs (CAPS) and the Illinois Restaurant Association to develop and deploy a hospitality workforce pipeline across the South Side of Chicago. Through these partnerships, ETHOLA will serve as both a training ground and a launchpad, connecting residents with real job opportunities, industry certifications, and a pathway into Chicago’s culinary and events sectors.
What to Expect:
• Live architectural feedback with our design team (Karl Guider of Guider Group, LLC) & The Nascent Group
• Cultural Mapping Walls where you can contribute stories, traditions, and inspirations
• Interactive Design Stations where you can vote on floorplans, art styles, and programming
• Small Bites
• Local DJ and ambient soundscape rooted in African and Caribbean rhythms
• Opportunities to join advisory circles, vendor lists, and job training pathways
ETHOLA is a reclaiming of space, identity, and power. It is a response to disinvestment, a counter to food apartheid, and a celebration of the Nigerian and Caribbean communities that enrich Chicago’s South Side. We’re not asking for your input. We’re inviting your leadership.
Let’s design this space together. Let’s build what’s never been here before.
Frequently asked questions
ETHOLA is a Nigerian American restaurant. BSCP Hall is a modern event space. Together they bring food, jobs, and cultural pride to West Pullman by transforming a vacant building into a space for the community.
BSCP honors the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first Black labor union. The Hall celebrates their legacy of pride, excellence, and service.
There are no full service restaurants or event venues nearby. ETHOLA and BSCP Hall bring healthy food, local jobs, and space for celebrations back to the neighborhood.
See the design, constribute ideas, meet the team, and share your input. Enjoy light bites and help shape the future of this community space.
Dr. Bademosi is a physician and entrepreneur who has served families on the South Side for 25 years. This project is part of his lifelong work in community care and investment.
Karl Guider leads Guider Group, a firm focused on equity and thoughtful design. He brings deep experience in neighborhood-based projects across Chicago.
The Nascent Group is a Black and woman-owned community development & design firm building community through hospitality, design, and small business development.
CAPS is a nonprofit helping people get jobs since 1998. They offer free training and will prepare local residents for careers in food and hospitality.
Founded in 1914, the IRA is Illinois’s leading hospitality trade group. It provides advocacy, operator support, ServSafe and BASSET training, educational webinar,student career programs through its Educational Foundation, and hostscertification on site to help workers grow and meet state standards.
Yes. ETHOLA and BSCP Hall will create over 45 jobs and train 150+ people each year from entry level to leadership. This project builds a pipeline for careers in hospitality.
Yes. The hall will be available for weddings, showers, meetings, and celebrations with flexible indoor and outdoor space and modern design.
Volunteer as a community ambassador, design support, event planner, or mentor. Join the buildout team, apply for jobs, or offer vendor services. Email admin@thenascentgroup.com to share your skills and interest.