How a South Side juice brand found a home at the Obama Presidential Center

When construction workers at the Obama Presidential Center started frequenting Little Black Pearl’s Carver 47 Cafe, a partnership was born. Today, some of its signature refreshers are available at the Obama Presidential Center cafe, bringing a South Side staple to a global audience.

"We opened Carver 47 Food and Wellness Market during COVID-19, and everybody kept saying you all have lost your mind. Why would you open a cafe during COVID-19? We really wanted to demonstrate that sometimes in the darkest hours, that's the time we should build," said Monica Haslip, Founder and Executive Director of Little Black Pearl.

One of those regular customers, Marquis Miller, Senior Philanthropic Advisor for The Obama Foundation, later connected Haslip with the Foundation to explore bringing the full juice line to the Obama Presidential Center.

Little Black Pearl, the arts and culture organization behind Carver 47, was founded in Haslip's basement 32 years ago to teach the connection between art, education, and business. 

The cafe, named for scientist Dr. George Washington Carver, opened during the pandemic to serve frontline workers. Chef Lizz Wright—an acclaimed vocalist and wellness chef—created the juices as "a meal in a bottle," Haslip said, using only natural ingredients with no added sugar or preservatives.

"Her vision was to create a juice line or some juice offerings that would help to strengthen their immune resistance and their health," Haslip shared.

The collection's rebranded look, designed by Haslip, was intentional. She says she drew upon the racial healing work she'd done with the Kellogg Foundation.

"You'll see some really beautiful images of people who are typically not seen on natural products like cold-pressed juices," Haslip shared with a smile.

Sustainability shaped the brand, too. Customers can return their empty bottles to the cafe.

Three flavors—the grapefruit-based "Joy," the hibiscus-based "Cardinal," and the lemonade—are served in the lower-level cafe at the Obama Presidential Center.

Haslip also sees the partnership as a platform for the city itself. "They could have just made that place just for themselves," she shared, "but they really were so intentional to invite us, not just as a business owner but as a community member to be a part of it."

Haslip says the collaboration means more than exposure for her business: it's validation for a business built on the South Side.

"To have any connection or affiliation or association with that kind of beauty, love, possibility and hope is profoundly important to a community business," she said.

Little Black Pearl continues to expand by recently opening its second cafe at the University of Chicago called “The Hunt.” The cafe celebrates the rich legacy of Richard Hunt , a prolific internationally acclaimed sculptor from Chicago, whose final sculpture is one of the Center’s commissioned public art works.

Every bottle sold supports Little Black Pearl's broader programming of cultivating creativity, entrepreneurship, and belonging for thousands of Chicagoans. It's a partnership Haslip says reflects shared values. "It lets us be connected to an institution that gives us the kind of credibility we need to keep growing," she said.

Chef Lizz’s Cardinal

Hibiscus • Pineapple • Lemonade

A signature Carver 47 blend, the Cardinal is Chef Lizz’s vibrant spin on a classic summer refresher—combining tart hibiscus, bright citrus, and sweet pineapple. Recently, Chef Lizz’s artistry was celebrated beyond the kitchen when she was featured on President Obama’s Summer Playlist.

Chef Lizz’s Cardinal Recipe

(Party Batch)

Ingredients

Directions

Chef’s Note: Garnish with fresh pineapple, lemon slices, or edible flowers for a beautiful presentation.