About Us
Chicago Love™ is a community-driven brand and cultural initiative founded by Chicago-based self-taught fine art abstract artist Ryan Lessam, designed to unite Chicagoans across all neighborhoods, backgrounds, and demographics through art, storytelling, and shared civic pride.
At its core, Chicago Love exists to uplift all communities—North, South, and West—equally, ensuring that every part of the city is represented, celebrated, and supported. The mission is rooted in the belief that Chicago’s strength lies in its diversity, and that true unity is built by acknowledging, embracing, and investing in all communities, regardless of socioeconomic background, race, or demographics.
Through a combination of art, accessible products, and community engagement, Chicago Love creates entry points for people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in a shared movement centered on connection, pride, and giving back. The brand transforms everyday items into tools for community building and cultural storytelling, each designed to reflect authentic Chicago experiences and narratives.
"Art can do more than decorate walls — it can build bridges between people, spark hope, and remind everyone what makes this city special."
Our Mission: Blending Art, Storytelling, and Community to Uplift Chicago
Chicago has three sides: North, South, and West, each home to vibrant neighborhoods, rich histories, beloved restaurants, lively parks, and strong communities full of people who love where they live just as deeply as Ryan loves every part of this city. The city’s energy, its grit and warmth, reignited his soul. He wanted to give back — to create something that celebrated Chicago’s neighborhoods, its people, and its stories.
The thing Ryan loves most about Chicago is the people. No matter their income, neighborhood, race, or religion, everyone shares the same kindness, resilience, and pride in their communities. And he truly believes the people of Chicago — every neighborhood, every side of the city — will get involved, because they understand how powerful it can be when we come together to invest in our kids, our communities, and our future.
Our mission aims to celebrate Chicago through a combination of art, community events, branding, and love. 25% of all profits from the Chicago Love™ brand sales to organizations that prevent violence, support kids, and create real opportunities in the communities that need it most — the kinds of opportunities that keep young people from being pushed into gangs, crime, or violence simply because they don’t see another path. Growing up in Cleveland, he saw how limited opportunities can shape a young person’s life. He knows firsthand how lack of opportunity traps people in cycles they never asked for. That’s why this mission matters so much to him.
Our Community: A Space For Everyone Who Loves Chicago
THE CHICAGO LOVE™ COMMUNITY is a vibrant digital space created by Ryan for anyone who shares a passion for this incredible city. Whether you live here or have only visited, this is where your version of Chicago is welcome, celebrated, and valued. This online social media page — @ChicagoLovebyRLart — can be found on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, and is a place for locals and visitors to share, post, uplift, and discover the hidden gems of our beloved city.
Want to join? We always welcome you! Create a video, upload photos, or write a few paragraphs about what you love most about Chicago and want others to know. Submit your content through the community webpage, on this site coming 2026 and we’ll re-post it across all official channels. Every contribution helps strengthen the community and spread the love.
Our Team
Chicago Love is comprised of people who love the city and its people. We are a growing community with hands-on experience in creative entrepreneurship, marketing, design, and community development—helping to cultivate the next generation of local talent. From public relations, social media, finance, law, photography, web development, and more, our capable team is dedicated to spread the Chicago Love mission and make a positive impact in our city.
Interested in helping expand a mission-driven brand that celebrates and uplifts all side of Chicago? Want to be part of a growing brand and add real-world projects to your portfolio? Email Ryan to join today at ryan@ryanlessamart.com!
Invest in Our Future
Be part of CHICAGO LOVE™ history forever. This is your chance to not only invest in a brand, but to become one of Ryan’s official business partners.
To bring the Chicago Love™ vision to market as quickly and effectively as possible, Ryan is actively seeking one, two, or up to three strategic investors.
He is offering a total of 30% equity in the company, which will be distributed among the participating investors. The collective investment goal is $30,000, which can come in the form of cash, access to a line of credit, a bank loan, business credit card, or a combination — anything that provides the working capital needed for launch.
The $30,000 will be used to complete the essential first phase of Chicago Love’s product and brand rollout. Contact Ryan directly to learn more about the investment amount, structure, and details at 312-639-9425 or ryan@ryanlessamart.com.