ShopBlackCT - Black-Owned Business Guide

CONNECTICUT'S BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS GUIDE

ShopBlackCT is a volunteer initiative and not-for-profit website featuring 2,000+ Black-owned businesses in Connecticut.

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WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT 2,058 businesses and growing!

95% of businesses owners surveyed said ShopBlackCT is helpful for CT Black-owned businesses.
83% reported more exposure, increase in sales or new connections to other business owners thanks to ShopBlackCT.

"Business has increased since the launch of ShopBlackCT.com. My sales have jumped."

- James Hanton, The Singing Sliders

"Without ShopBlackCT.com I wouldn't have that big showcase I have now. My business has increased 15%."

- Reggie White, Crab Shack King, A Touch of Soul

“ShopBlackCT.com has been a real vessel for bringing visibility to our Black-owned businesses, giving us the services of taking pictures and doing articles that we can use as marketing material and share with our networks and theirs.”

- Khamani Harrison, The Key Bookstore

“They have dedicated their time and their resources to create a platform that has been very instrumental in the growth of my business and the growth of many other Black-owned businesses in Connecticut. A lot of times us small business owners don’t have the means to get our names out there, but this platform was created to do that. It was so needed.”

- Shawnee Rochester, Escape Massage & Esthetics Studio

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DJ REEFA & REEF'S VIEWS PHOTOGRAPHY
HARTFORD

Photo: Courtesy of DJ Reefa

Shariffah Mason is a woman of many talents. Whether she’s getting the dance floor going through her DJ skills or capturing moments in time through her creative photography, one thing is for sure—any event Shariffah is a part of will be unforgettable.

Photo: Courtesy of NaturalAnnie Essentials

Some of the best ideas are born out of frustration. In 2015, Annie’s daughter was experiencing skin care issues due to multiple surgeries. Traditional products were not working, so Annie turned to her Jamaican roots and begin to concoct natural healing products to combat the breakouts her daughter was battling.

Photo: Shariffah Mason (Reef's Views)

In June 2020, Morgan-Doe launched her online business African Hair Bonnets by Edzorna out of Bristol, bringing a splash of gorgeous, colorful hair bonnets for the whole family. To keep busy during the pandemic, she started sewing several types of African fabrics—which ultimately grew to a growing business with several employees.

Photo: Blu Alys Photography

In the vibrant world of fashion, one name is rewriting the rules and bringing accessibility to the forefront: Clancee Victor, affectionately known as 'Fancee Clancee.' By day, she's a dedicated social worker, but when the sun sets, she's the driving force behind 10Thirteen Vintage, an innovative business that's all about making fashion accessible without compromising on style.

Photo: Blu Alys Photography

Look out, all you health-conscious consumers and smoothie bowl lovers—there’s a new acai in town! Playa Bowls announced its grand opening in April 2023 in Avon, marking the third Playa Bowls location in Connecticut for Mitch Jackson.

Photo: Shariffah Mason (Reef's Views)

As soon as you walk through the doors into FLYY Zumba®, you are drawn into what's known as the FLYY experience. Sistah Anyangō energizes those in attendance by calling out, in traditional African Call and Response form, and the attendees respond.

Photo courtesy of Infinite Beauty Bar/Aphrodite's Mane

With a passion to make a difference by helping men and women feel good about themselves, owner of Infinite Beauty Bar and Aphrodite’s Mane DeAndrea Abrahams is doing it all at her modern West Hartford salon—hair, braids, weaves, facials, lash extensions, teeth whitening, waxing, and she will soon offer makeup and nail services.

Photo: Shariffah Mason (Reef's Views)

Nasha Rhone purchased her first home—a condominium in Bristol, Connecticut—at the young age of 22. She quickly realized the empowerment, stability and equity that was afforded to her through homeownership and then discovered her urge to share the experience with others.

Photo: Shariffah Mason (Reef's Views)

Khaiim Kelly, better known as RapOet, does it all—he is a creativity and culture teacher, poet, artist, inspirational public speaker and even Hartford’s first city troubadour. In all he does, his community-minded spirit and exceptional talent leads the way.

Photo: Shariffah Mason (Reef's Views)

When Tequanna Tyson was a little girl, she remembers her grandmother, a Southern woman, cooking all the time. She never dreamed of owning her own restaurant, but is now serving up fresh, home-cooked meals at Tequanna's Soul Food & Sweets!

THE ECONOMICS OF RACISM

People often ask, why does ShopBlackCT only focus on Black-owned businesses?
The quick answer is because of the impact systemic racism has had on the Black community.