Humboldt Park is finally getting the dedicated publication its residents believe it deserves. After seven years of building a digital presence, the inaugural digital issue of Humboldt Park Magazine is set to launch on April 30.
For the magazine’s founder, Tanya Bermudez, the project is a deeply personal endeavor rooted in a decade of life in Chicago after moving from California. Having spent the last seven years documenting the neighborhood’s culture, events, and local businesses, she views this new chapter as a way to formalize and deepen those connections.
“This is really a manifestation of a love letter back to the community,” Bermudez explained. “I want it to be a reflection of everything that’s really beautiful in this present moment.”
Illinois Latino News Publisher, Hugo Balta, spoke to Bermudez in a recent episode of ¡Presente!: Leaders who are showing up for our communities.
The magazine’s journey began on social media as a passion project to promote local businesses that lacked an online presence. However, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the platform’s focus toward community survival. The website became a critical resource hub, offering information on mental health services and food distribution.
These difficult years also reinforced the importance of face-to-face interaction. “When things got really difficult during the pandemic, meeting people in person felt more special,” she recalled. This blend of digital reach and grassroots connection has allowed the magazine to stay “on this path of being a reflection of what’s going on in the neighborhood”.
The first issue highlights the intersection of art, community leadership, and urban living.
The Cover Story: Features Chicago’s Poet Laureate, whom Bermudez first met at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture. Given that the launch coincides with the end of Poetry Month in April, Bermudez felt it was “really fitting to launch with a poet.”
The first issue also profiles a soil researcher who conducts community workshops. These sessions teach residents how to test and remediate soil, ensuring it is safe for growing food in home and community gardens.
The publication features profiles of local entrepreneurs, artists, and cultural leaders; coverage of community events; and stories that explore the neighborhood’s history and ongoing evolution. Bermudez’s approach centers on authenticity — ensuring that residents see themselves accurately and respectfully represented. Her background in community engagement and communications, as reflected in her professional experience, informs the magazine’s mission to strengthen neighborhood pride and visibility.
Humboldt Park remains a vital destination for the Puerto Rican and Latino communities, characterized by its “neighborly” atmosphere and vibrant street life. “When you come to Humboldt Park, you really feel transported to another place outside of Chicago,” Bermudez noted, describing a neighborhood full of music, joy, and residents who truly know one another.
While the digital launch is a major milestone, the ultimate ambition is to transition into a physical medium. “The bigger goal is to eventually get to print and have that be something living in people’s homes and offices”.
Illinois Latino News will republish select stories from Humboldt Park Magazine as part of a new partnership designed to better serve Hispanic and Latino audiences. “By sharing the magazine’s community‑rooted reporting and cultural storytelling with a wider regional readership, ILLN helps ensure that the voices, experiences, and perspectives of Humboldt Park residents are elevated across the broader Latino news ecosystem,” said Balta.
You can subscribe to the magazine by visiting HumboldtParkInChicago.com, where readers can sign up to receive new stories and community updates directly.