Sullivan Anderson 
Yesterday, North Lawndale had it going on at the Mozilla Firefox event “Free to Browse: Celebrating Chicago’s Creatives”. Firefox creatively transformed the building from nothing to everything. There were small business activations, homemade ice cream, a mini music studio, performances, art, and DJs. Overall the IRL pop-up browsing experience was created to amplify the voices of of Chicago creatives making for an electrifying environment that encompassed three floors.
True Star had a chance to speak with Tatum Lyneá, responsible for the homemade ice cream and pastries served at the event. She is an executive pastry chef with services in the South Loop, Pilsen, and Wicker Park, who is on track to open her own restaurant in Spring 2025. “I’m excited for people to be able to taste super good quality ice cream, and to know that supporting the little guy is important,” Tatum Lyneá said. She got into the restaurant business in high school, and the rest has been history. “My new restaurant is going to be on Grand and Aberdeen, and I’m super excited for it.”
Tatum Lyneá was only one success story present yesterday. Also present in the space was Jackson Flores, founder of Dish Roulette Kitchen, who helps to provide funding and education for women and BIPOC led businesses. “This is special work for us, because it is so pivotal for BIPOC-owned businesses to generate capital,” she explained. “Some neighborhoods, you have to walk two or three miles before you get to quality food. We want to help change that.”
Did we mention that there was an entire studio on set? Yeah. Renzell, producer, engineer, and owner of Studio Shapes Chicago had an activation that featured a dimly lit, in-the-cut, well-furnished recording studio where participants could hear the recordings of his artists. “I started out in my house, producing for artists like Chance the Rapper, NoName, and Smino,” he explained. “It means a lot for me to be here today because it shows that me putting in the work, for two years of having the space, has gotten me seen.”
Overall, we had an amazing time at the Firefox’s “Free to Browse” event. It is extremely important to “create a community of creators who want to see each other win,” as Makafui Kofi Searcy, 24-year-old owner of Fourtunehouse Art Center, stated. They had a part in opening the South Side Sanctuary on 47th and King Drive. “I’m excited to be in a place of growth.”
Keep up with all of the talented creatives mentioned by following them on Instagram. Don’t forget to check out the featured piece about this event on our YouTube channel.
By Sullivan Anderson, North Carolina A&T State University Alumna
Instagram: @SullivanGrace_
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