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.

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FAQ

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

“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

"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

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

- 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

“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

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.

Photo courtesy of Joy of Life Creations

Joy Monroe began creating art at the young age of four. She originally pursued a creative career in elegant cuisine as a chef, eventually joining up with a group of artists in 2011 called Connecticut Arts Initiative, where many more of her creative visions were birthed.

Photo: Angel Thompson Photography

Bet on yourself. Invest in yourself. Go all in on yourself. You are your best investment. These are words that Double or Nothing Apparel co-founders and cousins Mike Forrester and Drew Bailey live by, and now they’re sharing this motivation with others through their unisex all-purpose clothing brand.

Photo: Kristen McNevins Photography

Let’s face it, there is a kid in each and every one of us. The Art Child, a travel- based and online program for kids of all ages, recognizes that. Its mission, according to founder Ms. Alicia Brown, a certified therapeutic art life coach, is “to offer programs to let kids be kids, show their emotions along with helping them control them.”

Photo: Kristen McNevins Photography

Susan Vanriel-Smith’s son helped her realize how different people are and how important it is to accept those differences. Her son, who is non-verbal and only communicates when given cues and with a talking device, motivates her daily.

Photo: Terrence Irving Photography

Craig Wright is beating the odds. His Vernon restaurant, Craig’s Kitchen, recently celebrated its third anniversary, and despite navigating a global crisis that has had an enormous effect on restaurants, his is on track for continued success.

Photo: David Milton

During his first year of teaching, more than 300 people signed up for Duane Hinkson's pistol permit class in one day. Based on demand, he began offering instruction on the weekends. Today, he
has a permanent space to provide classroom instruction year-round.

Photo: Brenda De Los Santos Photography

Gizelle E. Tircuit and her daughter, Janelle Posey-Green, started their New London-based holistic mental health practice, Magnolia Wellness, LLC, in 2016 not only to benefit the community, but to allow them to feel good about what they were doing.

Photo: Gary Pope, GDA Weddings

While Deivone Tanksley does make sure to serve only the best food, the reason behind his restaurant runs much deeper—and it’s bringing people together, one plate at a time.

Photo: Terrence Irving Photography

Not even a Covid-19 mask could prevent the first impression that Isankofa inevitably leaves its visitors: the wonderful scent of the products that await inside.

Photo: Corey Lynn Tucker Photography

Young entrepreneurs Bryson and Justin were mobilized by the fact that there is a gap that exists within children’s apparel to uplift and encourage, which ultimately inspired them to move forward with their idea.

MORE FEATURED BUSINESSES

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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...

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..."

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.

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