Black History Month: Woman creates vinyl record community group in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- This Black History Month, one Black woman is putting vinyl back on the map.

She's created the first vinyl record community group in Chicago.

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You could be the 70-year-old with a collection of 4,000 vinyl records, or the college student studying music theory: Virginia Shipp says the Vinyl Collectiv is a cross-cultural, intergenerational space, where music lovers can feel at home.

"It's kind of like eating Skittles," Shipp said.

Once you start, Shipp says, the hunt for a rare record never stops.

"I have like, around, like, 400, but I would say half of them are in California because I couldn't, like, bring all those over to Chicago," Shipp said.

Not every vinyl record made the move to the Windy City, but her vision did.

"Software engineer by day, so," Shipp said.

The Vinyl Collectiv is a music community that hosts their signature events at small businesses and record stores across the city.

"You can't really skip it," Shipp said. "If I'm listening to music on Apple Music, I just skip a song and, like, play the next song. So, it really makes you appreciate listening to the whole album."

She said it's like a book club, but for records.

But it's more than appreciating the sound. It's about sharing the impact behind it.

"Doesn't matter the genre. You bring your vinyl, and we talk about it," Shipp said.

"There's a sense of safety," said Austin Cathey, a Vinyl Collectiv member and photographer. "'Control' by SZA, 'Inner visions' by Stevie Wonder: Both of those albums came to me at a time in my life where I was growing to make peace with, like, my identity."

Cathey says from the first time he shared his experience as a queer Black man, he knew this group was different. He said it's an intersection, where art, culture and music feel like a public good.

"It's an opportunity to connect about music, about our shared humanity," Cathey said.

"I would say it's like therapy. You feel at home," Shipp said.

Shipp is taking these community gatherings to the next level.

She has coded her own app, called Quincy. On there, vinyl lovers can connect, form friendships and discover new records. She said she's planning to officially launch Quincy by the end of March.

The Vinyl Collectiv will have their signature Bring a Record, Catch a Vibe event Friday at Midwest Coast Brewing in West Town.