CT BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS GUIDE
ABOUT SHOPBLACKCT.com
ShopBlackCT.com is a volunteer initiative and not-for-profit website featuring 1,300+ Black-owned businesses in Connecticut.
Free to list. Free to browse.
Free to list. Free to browse.
categories
SUPPORTING 1,375 businesses and growing!
"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
- 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
- Khamani Harrison, The Key Bookstore
"ShopBlackCT.com has been a blessing for our business. ShopBlackCT.com helped us gain greater exposure within our local area and started a conversation around our story, our value and how we were working to uplift our community."
- Nakia Kearse, Your CBD Store Simsbury
- Nakia Kearse, Your CBD Store Simsbury
"Business has increased since the launch of ShopBlackCT.com. My BBQ bowl sales have jumped."
- James Hanton, The Singing Sliders
- James Hanton, The Singing Sliders
“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
- Shawnee Rochester, Escape Massage & Esthetics Studio
“The positive image, the positivity coming out of ShopBlackCT.com is so powerful and such a great movement that as a Black-owned, veteran-owned business myself I get to show my sons this great positive image and I love it.”
- Chef Jay, Fud, Inc. & Baby J's Spices
- Chef Jay, Fud, Inc. & Baby J's Spices
FEATURED BUSINESSES
50 WEST
PLAINVILLE
Photo: David Milton
Running for about six years under a previous owner, 50 West had undergone several concept changes. From fine dining to a noodle bar, the restaurant had tried it all with little long-lasting success. But for the Keolas it provided a foundation and following. All it needed was their special touch...American comfort food with an Asian flair.
JOY OF LIFE CREATIONS
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DOUBLE OR NOTHING APPAREL
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THE ART CHILD
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GIFTED ONE PRINCES
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CRAIG'S KITCHEN
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CT NRA INSTRUCTOR
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MAGNOLIA WELLNESS
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MY WIFE DIDN'T COOK
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ISANKOFA NATURAL SKIN CARE
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WE SHINE APPAREL & ACCESSORIES
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ON THE ROAD WITH RODE!
Join ShopBlackCT team member Rode as she sets out each week to discover new favorite delicious, inspiring and downright amazing Black-owned businesses around Connecticut.
SHOPBLACKCT.COM BLOG
MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN BLACK COMMUNITIES: DEFEATING THE STIGMA
By Rode Bataille
Mental Health America explains that “historical adversity, which includes slavery, sharecropping, and race-based exclusion from health, educational, social, and economic resources translates into socioeconomic disparities experienced by Black and African American people today.” Socioeconomic status, in turn, is linked to mental health: People who are impoverished, homeless, incarcerated, or have substance use problems are at higher risk for poor mental health.
HOW (AND WHY) TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC RACISM THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS
By Damon Carter
The decision to take a stand against systemic racism by actively supporting social justice reform can be a difficult and pivotal choice for any organization. In today’s social and political climate, there are increased expectations by both employees and consumers for companies to get actively involved in supporting social justice initiatives moving forward.
GROUNDBREAKING DRONE-ON-DEMAND APP OFFERS SKY-HIGH SERVICE
By Barry Alexander
After years of continuous development, Connecticut-based Aquiline Drones (AD), the nation’s only Black-owned drone manufacturing and technology company, is now just a few months away from launching the nation’s first true “Aquiline Drone-on-Demand” (ADoD) mobile app.
ASK THE DOC: CHRONIC INFLAMMATION AND FOOD ALLERGIES
By Dr. Ceylon Cicero
Managing the inflammatory response is how you manage your health. You have a lot of control over your lifestyle choices and helping your body heal itself. "You are what you eat" is not just a saying, but a way of life."
CREATING AN IT CULTURE OF INCLUSIVENESS AND BELONGING
By Damon Carter
For too long, and out of necessity, Black IT professionals have been silent about their experience. Creating a safe space to engage, listen and learn from others is a necessary first step towards creating a workplace culture that fully supports and values people of color.
HOW IT LEADERS CAN EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS SYSTEMIC RACISM
By Damon Carter
Since technology directly shapes how business is conducted globally and given the political capital IT leaders have earned through their progressive leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, CIOs are well positioned to play an integral role in helping to eradicate systemic racism in their organizations. To do this, they must strategically employ a systemic solution.
PAY FORWARD AND GIVE BACK
By Patrina Dixon
The act of giving back doesn't necessarily have to be monetary. Even some simple acts of kindness and thoughtful gestures can make a significant impact.
Inclusive education — If not now, when?
By Elijah Manning
As our nation continues to grapple with sins of the past, and finds ways to change our future for the better, there is one specific area that needs attention on a national level, but can start locally...
BRANDED IN MY MEMORY
By Caleb Roseme
"I am a 35-year-old Black man, and I was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. As a child, my parents regularly warned me that I would be treated differently because of my skin color..."
THE ECONOMICS OF RACISM
By Yvette Young
People often ask, why does ShopBlackCT.com only focus on Black-owned businesses? The quick answer is because of the impact systemic racism has had on the Black community.
KNOW A BUSINESS THAT SHOULD BE FEATURED?
MONTHLY SPECIALS & DEALS
IN THE NEWS
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