Whitney Cumbo, owner of a beauty supply store in Bridgeport, has had to endure repeated vandalism and damage to her business. Despite the challenges she’s faced, including incidents where individuals on bikes threw rocks and punched the windows of her store, Cumbo remains determined to make her business succeed.
Cumbo started the business with her sister five years ago and chose Bridgeport because it felt like home and was close to where they grew up. However, she believes that as an African American woman, the odds were already stacked against her. Feeling pushed out of the community due to her race, Cumbo expressed frustration at the setbacks she faces despite her hard work and dedication to running a successful business.
The most recent vandalism occurred on June 18, leaving the front window of the store shattered. Cumbo is still waiting for the window to be fixed and for the person responsible to be caught by Chicago police. Her employees, like Donte Miles, are disappointed by the situation but continue to work hard to maintain a positive atmosphere in the store. Despite ongoing police investigations, no suspects have been taken into custody for the vandalism incidents yet.
