If you ask Chicagoans about their city during the summer, you’ll likely hear that very little compares to summertime Chi. With so many outside activities, possibilities to enjoy the midwestern city are endless. And for those who want to tap into some more chill vibes, the hit Showtime^® original series “The Chi” is more than a solid option to kick back and enjoy being inside.

While the show follows a diverse group of South Side Chicago natives, it highlights Black culture– including everyday life, familial ties, and Black entrepreneurship. Although Jacob Latimore’s character Emmett runs the fictional Smokey’s BBQ, his business endeavors represent the deep sense of culture and the importance of Black businesses to the community.

So when you are not enjoying Kiesha, Emmett, Kevin, and the crew on The Chi, you should be in the real-life streets tapping into the various Black-owned businesses that give life to Chicago’s South Side.

SHOWTIME