Shopping local can help uplift small, independent businesses that look to the year-round support of their immediate community. This is especially critical for black-owned businesses that experience barriers set by systemic racism.
Featuring 1,300 Connecticut business and counting, Chamber member shopblackCT.com helps consumers find services and products by black entrepreneurs. With this invaluable resource, you are able to filter your search by counties, cities, and towns. You can also seek out a specific category, such as Automotive, Childcare, Bookstores, Legal, and many more!
If you are interested in starting your own business, consider connecting with your regional SCORE chapter. SCORE is a nonprofit with the mission to help small businesses through education and mentorship programs, including those for black-owned startups. Chamber member DoorDash also offers marketing, business advising, and fundraising opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs in foodservice.
As Black History Month approaches, check out a few local events and activities near you:
The Sea Connects Us, Discovering Amistad, & more! – Mystic
Beginning in February, Mystic Seaport Museum is hosting new programs that speak on the contributions of under-recognized figures in Maritime history. Some activities include “The Sea Connects Us”, a series of panels highlighting the achievements of African American and Indigenous people and a new interactive school program with Discovering Amistad. See more details on upcoming activities.
The Black Heritage Trail – New London
Spanning across fifteen sites and three centuries, The Black Heritage Trail shares the stories and historical touchpoints of the city’s black history. Each site on this self-guided tour is marked by a bronze plaque meant to highlight the people and places that have shaped New London.
“My Freedom is a Privilege that Nothing Else Can Equal” – Stonington
Visit the Lighthouse Museum in Stonington on February 4 for the opening of “My Freedom is a Privilege that Nothing Else Can Equal,” a new permanent exhibition about the story of Venture Smith and slavery in Stonington. This event is free and open to the public!