ABOUT SHOPBLACKCT.com

ShopBlackCT.com is a volunteer initiative and not-for-profit website featuring 1,200+ Black-owned businesses ​in Connecticut.

Free to list. Free to browse.

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SUPPORTING 1,239 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
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“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
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"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." 
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​- Nakia Kearse, Your CBD Store Simsbury
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"Business has increased since the launch of ShopBlackCT.com. My BBQ bowl sales have jumped."
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- James Hanton, The Singing Sliders
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“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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“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

GIFTED ONE PRINCES
EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE

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.

CRAIG'S KITCHEN
VERNON

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.

CT NRA INSTRUCTOR
NEWINGTON

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.

MAGNOLIA WELLNESS
NEW LONDON

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.

MY WIFE DIDN'T COOK
NEW BRITAIN

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. 

ISANKOFA NATURAL SKIN CARE
WILLIMANTIC

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. ​

WE SHINE APPAREL & ACCESSORIES
EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE

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. 

DUTCH's
Pawcatuck

Photo: Brenda De Los Santos Photography
When Tiffany Shultz’s son was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG), an incurable neurological autoimmune disease in 2016, she had no idea that it would lead her to opening her incredibly popular new Pawcatuck vegan cupcake and ice cream shop.

BABY J'S SPICES
WINDSOR

Photo: Corey Lynn Tucker Photography
​It’s been quite a “season” for Lillard Royal Lewis, Jr., also known as “Chef Jay." His many products, which include the Baby J’s Spice label, are all driven toward two central philosophical pillars of his corporate structure: sustainability and diversity in education.

THE KEY BOOKSTORE
HARTFORD

Photo: Courtesy of The Key
People to ask themselves what do I need to know, how can I learn it, and where do I get it from? The answer to that has been Black owned bookstores like The Key.

CAPITAL ICE CREAM
HARTFORD

Photo by Connecticut Headshots
Sweet dreams are made of these! Owner Chantell Kelly and her husband take great pride on being affectionately referred to as the “The Happy Place in Hartford”.

PLAYA BOWLS
WEST HARTFORD

Photo: Corey Lynn Tucker Photography
Surf's up in Blue Back Square! From bowls to smoothies and juices, Playa Bowls West Hartford offers a colorful selection of inviting and unique offerings that are delicious and satisfying.

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

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.

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