Helping Community Businesses Grow

Take Your Business to New Heights!

APPLY TO THE NEXT COHORT

WHO WE ARE

Next Level Exchange Network is a 12-month, cohort-based small business development program designed to help business owners build the capacity of their enterprise. The purpose of the Chicagoland program is to support the growth of owner-operated businesses and create economic opportunities in underserved communities.

Program components include

EDUCATION

MENTORSHIP

NETWORKING

APPLY TO THE NEXT COHORT

APPLY TO BECOME A MENTOR

TESTIMONIALS

“The Next Level Exchange (NLE) program was a phenomenal experience. During the program, I was perfectly matched with Bruce Taylor. We worked on Board development, enhanced my fundraising documents, and he introduced me to key individuals within his network. As a result, my fundraising revenue increased by 78% and I became more confident about how to effectively communicate our value to the community. I also built great relationships with the other NLE mentees. Thank you NextLevel Exchange!”

Jamila Trimuel, Mentee
Founder & CEO
Ladies of Virtue

KEY DATES

June 17, 2025 - Summer 2025 Applications Close

June 18, 2025 - Fall

2025 Applications Open

APPLY TO THE NEXT COHORT

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Taylor Investment Partners

Bruce Taylor

Bruce is a managing partner of Taylor Investment Partners and former Chairman and CEO of Cole Taylor Bank. He is currently on the Board of Governors and is treasurer for The Metropolitan...

btaylor@taylorpartnerssbr.com

NextLevel Exchange

Amy Stoken

Amy Stoken is the Director of NextLevel Exchange. She is responsible for all aspects of the program and coordinating the participating organizations. Amy brings to NextLevel Exchange...

amy@nextlevelexchange.org

Chicago Urban League

Kevin P. Davenport

Kevin P. Davenport is the Director of 2 programs at the Chicago Urban League’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center: NextDEAL (9-week cohort based intensive course on how to...

kdavenport@chiul.org

Sunshine Enterprises

Laura Lane

Laura Lane is the Managing Director of Programs for Sunshine Enterprises, whose mission is to empower high-potential entrepreneurs living in under-resourced neighborhoods to...

laura@sunshineenterprises.com

Women's Business Development Center

Aisha Aherns

Aisha Ahrens is the Managing Director of Program Innovations at the Women’s Business Development Center. Previously, Aisha served as Director of Digital Equity and Inclusion...

aaherns@wbdc.org

Sunshine Enterprises

Quandra Speights

Quandra is the Business Acceleration Service (BAS) Senior Manager at Sunshine Enterprises. Her role includes BAS services such as the 90-day Coaching program, NextLevel...

quandra@sunshineenterprises.com

Women's Business Development Center

Regina Williams

Regina Williams Regina Williams is Director of Program Innovations at the Women’s Business Development Center. She is responsible for delivering innovative programming...

rwilliams@wbdc.org

Sunshine Enterprises

Sinclaire Dorsten

Sinclaire Dorsten has been with Sunshine Enterprises as the Business Acceleration Services Program Manager since the fall of 2023. She works with the Sunshine Alumni businesses in all capacities to better...

sinclaire@sunshineenterprises.com

Chicago Urban League

Karim Duré

As a Program Manager at the Chicago Urban League's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Karim supports Black business owners as they navigate the challenges and...

kdure@chiul.org

Meet the Board

The Board of Directors of NextLevel Exchange Chicago is composed of accomplished leaders dedicated to advancing economic opportunity, professional growth, and meaningful business connections across Chicago. Bringing diverse expertise, strategic insight, and a shared commitment to community impact, the board helps guide the organization’s vision and long-term success. Among its distinguished members are Amy Stoken and Bruce Taylor, whose information you can find above.

Craig Leva

Craig is the CEO and owner of Arway-Long Grove Confections. During his 35-year tenure, the company has grown more than twenty-fold and today Arway Confections and Long Grove Confectionery operate out of two manufacturing facilities totaling roughly 160,000 square feet with over 200 full time employees, along with an additional significant seasonal labor force.
Craig joined the newly established board of NextLEVEL Exchange after serving as a mentor for the past 8 years. Craig also serves on several industry boards and is active with several Chicago-area philanthropic organizations.

Screenshot 2026-02-20 at 1.02_edited.jpg

Stephen L. Davis

Stephen L. Davis is the Chairman and Founder of The Will Group, Inc., that provide a comprehensive range of products and services to the construction and utility industries, including supply, engineering,
and program management, all operating under the common philosophy, “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way.” Founded in 1986 to honor the legacy of his father, William “Will” Davis, the company is rooted
in values of integrity, pride, and hard work. Over the past four decades, Stephen L. Davis has grown The Will Group into a prominent multi-entity enterprise, consistently recognized among Crain’s Largest Black-Owned Companies and Black Enterprise Magazine’s Top 100 Black Businesses. Mr. Davis also serves on several corporate and civic boards, including PMI Energy Solutions, Heska Corporation, Inland Real Estate Trust, and previously, the DuPage Airport Authority.

Want to Become a Mentor?

APPLY TO BECOME A MENTOR TODAY

Helping Community Businesses Grow

WHO WE ARE

Program components include

EDUCATION

MENTORSHIP

NETWORKING

TESTIMONIALS

KEY DATES

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Bruce Taylor

Amy Stoken

Kevin P. Davenport

Laura Lane

Aisha Aherns

Quandra Speights

Regina Williams

Sinclaire Dorsten

Karim Duré

Meet the Board

Want to Become a Mentor?

FOUNDING PARTNERS

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