The Record Track

Thank you for highlighting the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses and organizations. Record stores are more than retail—they’re gathering spaces where culture, history, and community stay alive through music. We’re grateful to be included among neighbors doing this work and encourage everyone to keep showing up, digging in, and supporting local well beyond February.

February is Black History Month and there’s no shortage of opportunities to support Black-owned businesses and organizations in the city. Here's our list of record stores and Douglass Park neighbors you can support this month and every month afterward.

🎤 **We’re honored to be the Keynote Speaker for the 12th Annual South Side Pitch!**

Join us as some of South Side Chicago’s most creative and promising entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a panel of prestigious judges and a live audience — all competing for **over $36,000 in cash prizes!**

⚡ This year’s event **will not be live streamed**, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this inspiring evening.
**This Revolution Will Not Be Televised — it’ll be LIVE!**

📍 **RSVP Here:**
https://ij.org/ij-clinic-on-entrepreneurship/south-side-pitch/event-page/

South Side Pitch - Event Page Save Your Seat for the 12th Annual South Side Pitch! Every year, small businesses across the South Side of Chicago participate in South Side Pitch, […]

We had a great time representing The Record Track at the Making Vinyl conference in Memphis, TN!

Our panel explored how record stores evolved into community centers, with amazing voices including:
🎙️ Michael Palm ()
🎙️ Eric Friedl of Goner Records ()
🎙️ John Miller of Shangri-La Records ()
🎙️ Ryan Mitrovich (.alliance) shared powerful insights on Gen Z’s passion for vinyl.

Thanks to Jaffee for curating such an inspiring experience.

📍 | 💿 | 🎧

🌎 Happy Earth Day! 🌱

We joined and for a community clean-up and planting event around Hyde Park Academy High School. In celebration of spring — and school spirit — we planted flowers that will soon burst into blue and white blooms, representing Hyde Park Academy’s colors.

Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves to make the South East Side a little greener and a lot more beautiful!

This weekend, we came together with neighbors, alumni, and longtime community advocates to volunteer our time and ideas in creating a Quality-of-Life Plan for the neighborhood. This roadmap isn’t just a document — it’s a call to action for all of us to roll up our sleeves and shape the future we deserve.

Gratitude to Vanessa Bly Photography () for capturing these inspiring moments of collaboration and community power. Take a look and see how we’re laying the foundation for a brighter, more equitable community.