It Takes a Village...
We’re excited to launch the first phase of fundraising for Vegan Village, a visionary proect that will transform a new location into a vibrant plant-based hub.
. Every contribution brings us closer to launching a welcoming, nourishing, and community-driven village that supports wellness, culinary creativity, and equitable business.
Join us in shaping a future where healthy food isn’t just accessibe, it’s celebrated.
Welcome to Vegan Village!
Vegan Is Love with Chef Majani & “What Is Love” EP Release Party
by Fluffy the Rapper
February 13, 2026 | A Call for Vegan Chefs, Chicks, and Creatives
Chicago, IL | In the wake of several vegan business closures across Chicago in 2025, Welcome to Vegan Village is proud to announce a community-centered revival event: Vegan Is Love with Chef Majani, paired with the “What Is Love” EP Release Party by Fluffy the Rapper, brings together food, music, wellness, and creative expression in one shared space.
On February 13, 2026, acclaimed vegan restaurateur Tsadakeeyah Emmanuel, known citywide as Chef Majani of South Shore’s beloved Majani Restaurant, will share his culinary wisdom and leadership with the next generation of vegan chefs. His keynote address, “The State of Healthy Eating and Vegan Businesses in Chicago,” will outline a forward-looking vision for Vegan Village, a mixed-use food, wellness, and residential hub currently in development and fundraising.
The evening will formally open with a blessing by Lady Majani at 5:00 PM, followed by a live performance by Fluffy the Rapper, and will conclude with Chef Majani’s keynote at 7:00 PM.
At the heart of the evening, Fluffy the Rapper will celebrate the release of her new EP, What Is Love, bringing music, storytelling, and reflection into the space. The EP explores love as action: love for self, love for community, and love expressed through health, creativity, and shared responsibility.
From 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the event will feature an open jam session centered on the theme What Is Love? This session invites Chicago Chicks, women artists, producers, poets, vocalists, and creatives of all kind, alongside Dealer Confidential, a welcoming lane for creatives currently working in the casino and gaming industry who may no longer have public outlets for performance. This moment acknowledges the artistry within gaming spaces and invites those creatives back into community, expression, and storytelling.
Attendees and artists will also have access to:
Professional photo & video opportunities
Influencer opportunities with Majani and Vegan Village
Styling and visual moments within the Iridium brand environment
Programming Includes:
Open Jam Session: What Is Love? from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Pay-What-You-Can Dinner by Majani
Pay-What-You-Can Valentine’s Marketplace
Blessing + Sweet Treats by Lady Majani at 5:00 PM
Live Performance and EP Celebration by Fluffy the Rapper
Keynote: State of Healthy Eating and Vegan Businesses in Chicago by Chef Majani at 7:00 PM
Vegan Village Competition
Majani invites the entire city to help shape something special. Vegan Village is more than a competition—it’s a chance to collaborate, create, and be part of a growing mission. Through food, wellness, sustainability, architecture, engineering, business, arts and culture, we're building a new kind of village—one rooted in care, creativity, and community.
Whether you join, support, or cheer from the sidelines, your presence matters.
Culinary
Have a plant-based concept ready for the spotlight? This is your chance to turn your signature dish into a business at Vegan Village.
Enter the Vegan Village Competition and compete for a plave to launch your dream in the Village.
Sustainaibility
Do you guide others toward healing, balance, or joy? Whether you're a yoga teacher, therapist, herbalist, or coach, this is your chance to showcase your practice to a wider audience.
Submit your wellness concept and step into the spotlight.
Architecture
Design the future of Vegan Village. From intimate food spaces to welcoming gathering spots, your concept can help shape how the community comes together.
Submit your design and help bring the village to life.
Engineering
Business
Arts & Culture
Bring the systems that make a village work. Whether it's energy, water, waste, or mobility, your solution can support a healthier, more connected community.
Submit your idea and help power the future of Vegan Village.
Reimagine what it means to build a mission-driven, profitable business. From plant-based food to holistic wellness, this is your chance to propose models that serve the community and sustain themselves.
Submit your concept and help shape the economic future of Vegan Village.
Bring the soul of the village to life. Through music, visual art, movement, or storytelling, your creative vision can inspire and connect the community.
Submit a proposal that celebrates the spirit of Vegan Village.
About Majani
Majani is a restaurant rooted in love, legacy, and liberation. Founded by Chef Tsadakeeyah and Nasya Emmanuel, Majani has become a beacon for plant-based living on the South Side of Chicago. blending culinary excellence with a deep commitment to community, culture, and sustainability.
Named one of Chicago’s best vegan restaurants by Chicago Reader and featured in the New York Times, Bon Appétit, and Eater Chicago, Majani has earned national recognition for soulful, locally sourced cuisine and values-driven mission.
As a cornerstone of the Vegan Village initiative, Majani is proud to open its doors and vision to the city. From the kitchen to the community, Majani invites collaborators, creators, and changemakers to help build a thriving ecosystem that supports wellness, entrepreneurship, and food justice.
Whether you are submitting a dish, designing a space, or launching a bold new idea, you are part of something greater—a village grounded in purpose and growing with intention.
Wellness
Do you guide others toward healing, balance, or joy? Whether you're a yoga teacher, therapist, herbalist, or coach, this is your chance to showcase your practice to a wider audience.
Submit your wellness concept and step into the spotlight.
Future of the Village
Vegan Village is more than a competition. It is a blueprint for a better future.
Rooted in community care, creative collaboration, and plant-powered innovation, this initiative reimagines what a thriving neighborhood can be.
As it grows, Vegan Village will serve as a living model for food justice, sustainable design, and equitable business. It will be a space where local talent is nurtured, new ideas are tested, and culture is celebrated.
The promise of Vegan Village is simple but bold: when we center people, plants, and purpose, we create a future where everyone can grow.
Join the Village
Be part of the vegan village revolution!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the competition about?
It's a year-long series promoting food justice, health equity, and creative entrepreneurship.
Who can participate?
Anyone passionate about the categories can join—veganism is not a requirement.
When does it launch?
The competition launches in September 2025, with a finale August 2026.
How to get involved?
You can participate as a contestant, sponsor, volunteer, or donate.
How do I stay updated?
After signing up, you’ll receive competition details and updates by email. Make sure to check your inbox for deadlines, event invites, and next steps.
How to submit ideas?
Visit each competition section on our landing page to submit your idea.