Meet the Founders

Jessica “JesSoul” Carter is the creative architect and strategic driver of Spur Chicago’s signature M⁴PowerED™ framework, Mindfulness, Movement, Mastery, and Mentorship, a holistic model that bridges personal wellness with workforce readiness. With over a decade of experience in community engagement, program design, and leadership development, Jessica’s work is rooted in the belief that healing is the foundation of true economic mobility.

Her approach blends trauma-informed practice, cultural relevance, and measurable outcomes, ensuring that Spur Chicago programs are not just inspiring, but impact-driven and scalable. She has developed initiatives that span from youth enrichment and creative arts training to workforce pipeline programs and intergenerational mentorship networks.

Jessica is known for turning vision into actionable, fundable strategies, whether she’s leading a room of young leaders through mindfulness exercises, designing grant-backed programming, or building partnerships with corporate stakeholders. Her leadership style is both deeply personal and sharply strategic, making her a sought-after collaborator for organizations looking to merge human-centered innovation with operational excellence.

Core Leadership Strengths: Strategic Program Architecture | Trauma-Informed Leadership | Multi-Sector Partnerships | Holistic Workforce Development | Community Healing & Empowerment

Curtez “Shaman Cortez” Carter is the originator of Spur Chicago’s vision, conceiving it first as a workforce development engine focused on addressing homelessness, and then expanding it into a comprehensive movement for cultural and economic sovereignty. He leads with a rare blend of systems thinking, creative innovation, and operational execution, ensuring Spur Chicago is both visionary and results-oriented.

With expertise spanning media production, event logistics, cultural strategy, and partnership development, Shaman has built bridges between underserved communities and industries that often overlook them. His work creates pipelines for sustainable careers, entrepreneurship, and intergenerational wealth-building, rooted in the understanding that economic empowerment must be culturally grounded to last.

Shaman is a master at cultivating relationships with funders, corporations, civic institutions, and grassroots leaders alike, creating alignment between community needs and institutional resources. His leadership reflects a relentless commitment to equipping people with the tools, knowledge, and networks to change their own lives and impact their communities.

Core Leadership Strengths: Workforce Innovation | Cultural Logistics | Strategic Partnerships | Media & Creative Direction | Economic Empowerment