Connecticut celebrates Black History Month with lectures, concerts and celebrations across the state. The events are held throughout February and are for all ages. From historic monuments to Black-owned restaurants, boutiques, and other businesses, here are some ways to honor and support the Black history, culture, and businesses that make Connecticut great.
History & Culture
The Prudence Crandall Museum celebrates the nation’s first boarding school for young Black women.
Connecticut’s Old State House is a beautifully renovated landmark where the Amistad Trial took place.
Inside the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is the Amistad Center for Arts and Culture, housing a collection of over 7,000 pieces of Black works of art, artifacts, and archives.
Learn about Harriet Beecher Stowe's 1852 anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford.
Find a freed slave sculpture at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument Memorial Arch that represents the contributions of Black soldiers in the Civil War.
The Queen Ann Nzinga Center in New Britain was established in honor of Queen Ann Nzinga, a 15th-century African queen who sheltered many of her citizens from being captured into the Slave Trade.
The Free Center in Farmington is a cultural organization designed to act as a community center for the arts.
Honor the service of Connecticut’s first all-Black military regiment with a visit to the 29th Colored Regiment Monument at Criscuolo Park in New Haven.
Often docked in New Haven or the Mystic Seaport Museum, The Amistad Replica represents the Schooner ship that was transporting the kidnapped African men from Sierra Leone to enslavement in Cuba.
The City of New London's Black Heritage Trail celebrates three centuries of strength, resilience, and accomplishment.
Events to Honor Black History
Discussion & Screening: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - February 3, Bristol
The Black Lens: All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt (PG) - February 13, Stamford
Black History Month at the NBMAA - Various Dates, New Britain
Black History Month Concert: Anthony Smith and Fully Committed - February 17, Enfield
Yale Child Study Center: Black History Month Special Session - February 20, New Haven
Food & Drink
Expect great things from Connecticut’s Black-owned restaurants. Grab cocktails at community hot spot, Anchor Spa in New Haven, or sample the flavors of Rhythm Brewing Company, created by Alisa Bowens-Mercado.
At Black Eyed Sally’s Southern Kitchen & Bar in Hartford, dine in a century-old building filled with blues-inspired folk art. For more Southern-style bites, try Lynon’s Restaurant & Bar in Hamden.
At Soul de Cuba Cafe in New Haven, enjoy a variety of great Afro-Cuban dishes.
Discover vegan delicacies at Fire & Spice in Hartford. Enjoy great entrees, brunch bites, and live entertainment at The Russell in Harford, or devour wings of nearly every flavor at Hot Rod Café in New London. And finish it off with a sweet treat at Capital Ice Cream in Hartford.
Fashion & Accessories
These Black business owners have what it takes to help you look your best! Find beautiful jewelry, handbags, and other accessories at The Best Accessory or Uniquely Yours Accessories, Get stand-out looks including African headwraps and trendy outfits by designer and fashion enthusiast, Jazzmine at Styled by Jazz. She Knows Sportswear is a clothing company with a mission to provide trendy, athletic, and comfortable looks to women of all sizes. Top it off with great headwear from Brothers Johnson 1929 Hat Co., specializing in hats from newsboy caps to fedoras and more.
Visit the Neville Wisdom Fashion Design Studio in New Haven for the opportunity to create clothes yourself! They also offer 20+ services including tailoring and one-on-one sewing classes.
Beauty & Cosmetics
Up your beauty game with these Black-owned businesses. Voted Best Health, Wellness & Beauty Brand in the Best of Shop Black CT 2021, discover enriching hair and skin products at Daddy Butter. Shop hair products and wigs at House of Elysian, get lash extensions and more at Smitten Kitten Beauty in Cheshire, and find goodies for your lips, brows and skin at BeroyaleCosmetics.
Wellness
Relax and rejuvenate at these lovely local wellness spots. Enjoy a massage at Angelic Touch Massage Services in Bristol or Verve Massage & Spa Services in Bloomfield, where you can also throw a spa party. Light a soy candle at home from Natural Annie Essentials to set a relaxing mood.
Take a yoga class at Bikram Yoga in Simsbury or Written Purpose in Fairfield. Get private yoga and journaling sessions from Rooted in Stillness Yoga, or find yoga and mindfulness courses for kids at Live Like a Lotus.