VP Kamala Harris buys Miles Davis document, talks music at shock Grand Rapids vinyl retailer go to

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – When Grand Rapids resident Della Marie Levi opened her vinyl document retailer in the future final week, she had no thought she was about to fulfill one of the highly effective ladies within the nation.

However, that’s precisely what occurred Thursday, Feb. 22, when Vice President Kamala Harris walked by means of the doorways of Della Soul Records. Harris was on the town for a reproductive rights roundtable with state and native leaders, and she or he needed to cease by and help an area, Black-owned enterprise.

“It was surreal,” Levi stated. “I had no thought she was on the town — and when she got here within the door, I used to be so excited to see her there in my house, simply eager to be taught extra about my enterprise, my neighborhood and being very supportive.”

It was a daily enterprise day on the document retailer, 1220 Kalamazoo Ave. SE., when Harris and U.S. Small Business Administrator Isabel Guzman stopped by.

Levi informed MLive/The Grand Rapids Press she knew Guzman was visiting as she had been contacted by her assistant weeks prior.

“She was visiting some small companies whereas she was on the town, and had been referred to my house,” she stated.

Related: See images from Vice President Kamala Harris’s go to to Grand Rapids

But seconds later, Harris walks in — simply hours after the spherical desk she hosted alongside Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Rep. Hillary Scholten and different Democratic Party leaders to advocate for reproductive rights at Fountain Street Church.

Levi stated Harris had heard about her and Della Soul Records, and that she needed to cease by.

“She stated she needed to come back by, meet me, help my enterprise, and simply share how proud and essential it’s to help Black-owned companies,” Levi stated.

While there, she stated Harris purchased just a few objects from Black artists, together with greeting playing cards with Ella Fitzgerald and Notorious B.I.G. on them, a George Clinton Funko Pop, and a Miles Davis vinyl document.

Levi informed MLive that since opening in November 2023 as the primary minority woman-owned vinyl document retailer within the Grand Rapids space, the help has been overwhelming.

Related: Grand Rapids first, minority woman-owned vinyl store enters the music scene

“People are enthusiastic about this house,” she stated. “There is loads of love for vinyl records in our neighborhood. We not solely promote records and merchandise, we even have small occasions so people can are available in and study totally different neighborhood issues occurring.”

Locals can look ahead to Della Soul Record’s subsequent neighborhood assembly this Friday to debate entry to wholesome meals within the inside metropolis, in addition to recording listening classes and guide signings.

In this month’s Storytellers program, music lovers can anticipate to listen to about neighborhood members’ journeys and the way music influenced them.

Learn extra in regards to the enterprise and keep up to date on vacation reductions by visiting their web site.

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