Bronzeville Winerys Cecilia Cuff Lands Prestigious Harvard Fellowship

Cecilia Cuff, owner of Bronzeville Winery, will begin her tenure as a Loeb Fellow at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design this month, joining a cohort of nine community leaders from around the globe. This competitive program focuses on equitable design and economic development, providing Cuff with a unique opportunity to refine her skills over the next 10 months. With a background in launching venues like Bronzeville Winery and South Side Sanctuary, Cuff aims to better support small businesses on Chicago's South and West sides. Her firsthand experience with gentrification in Wicker Park underscores her commitment to preserving cultural identity in economic initiatives. Cuff believes that sustainable economic development is crucial for community protection, stating, “I want to figure out how to build communities that include the people that created the community.

” She plans to audit classes at both Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to broaden her expertise. Local officials, including Ald. Pat Dowell, have supported her initiatives, enhancing her impact in the community. Cuff's journey reflects a growing focus on equitable development in urban neighborhoods.