Executive Director
MR. BLAKE ANTHONY
Blake Anthony is a Film/TV Producer and writer from the West side of Chicago. In 2015, Blake joined Bill Duke and Ruth Ratney (Joyful Noise, LLC.) by becoming the Executive Producer of the Mahalia Jackson biopic. Two days after signing comedy star Monique to play Mahalia, Blake was hit with an ultimatum of dropping Monique from the cast or losing the film budget if not accommodated. With loyalty being one of Blake’s life principles, he said no to the demand for change and went down with the ship. He currently signed a purchase contract to buy majority ownership of Chicago’s iconic film studio and rental facility (Chicago Studio City 85%). Said location will be the training site for minorities (Women, Blacks, Latinos, and Asians) to train (Nail Guns OVER Hand Guns) and work on projects to join the much-needed Unions. Said purchase will make Blake the owner of the largest majority Black-owned studio in Chicago and the Midwest. Blake also formed a development and investment company with Cushman and Wakefield retired Chairman Mr. Jack Mckinney, Sr. as Managing Partner of Blakewood Development, LLC and Blakewood Ventures.
Blake Anthony remembers being 11 or so when he first saw “Live Aid” aired in 1985. He was deeply moved by the spirit of the event with everyone coming together to rally to combat said issue or issues. Said togetherness’s spirit still rings true and is a profound inspiration to Blake to this day. As such, Blake is bringing many together for the sake of bringing Women’s health awareness and creating jobs to combat unemployment and gun violence with a monumental Global 24hr Pay Per View Women’s Health Awareness Concert on October 13th, 2024 in Miami. Come join Blake via Pay Per View for $24 or LIVE for $24, $240, $2,400 (VIP).
Sr. Managing Principal, McKinney Investments; and Managing
Partner, Blakewood Development, LLC., and Blakewood Ventures.
MR. JACK MCKINNEY, SR.
- 40+ years of commercial real estate experience.
- Has executed 25 million SF of Office Leasing in Chicago, IL including properties such as
Prudential Plaza, Hyatt Center, Merchandise Mart, and Chicago Title and Trust Center. - Developed over 2 million SF of new office buildings in Chicago, IL, Phoenix, AZ, Loudon,
Virginia and 2,000,000 SF of new Industrial facilities in Pittsburgh, PA, Louisville, KY, and Phoenix, AZ. - Executive leadership at Cushman & Wakefield; J.F. McKinney & Associates; JLL; and IBM.
- MBA from the Kellogg School of Business (Northwestern University); BS from Spring Hill College.
