In the 1950s, Chicago was home to over 800,000 African Americans. In search of new opportunities, Blacks migrated from the south to Chicago and found a community for themselves. As Black nightclubs grew in popularity within Chicago neighborhoods, individuals saw a need for record labels to showcase and produce Black artists and music. Black music grew, and so did the demand for it. As the demand for Black music grew, dozens of independent record companies emerged to cash in on a new opportunity. Chicago was buzzing with record sales, and South Michigan avenue became the hotbed of famous Black musicians and records labels. South Michigan Avenue had dozens of record labels that settled there, signing and producing some of the most popular Black musicians of the time. It soon became known as Record Row. Record Row became a rare place where black entrepreneurs could grab a piece of the American Dream despite the segregation and discrimination of the times. There were many new opportunities for Black professionals because of Record Row. Artists, accountants, and musicians were some of the few that emerged out of this opportunity. Record Row was influential to the making of Black music and the community as well. Record Row provided the Black community with a sense of hope and role models. It helped young children strive towards careers in music. Record Row was also a dramatic turning point for Black music as it crossed over to White Radio and became more mainstream.