MAYOR JUSTIN ELICKER AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR ADRIANE JEFFERSON ANNOUNCE AND PROMOTE NEW HAVEN’S FIRST BLACK WALL STREET FESTIVAL 

Scheduled for this Saturday in Temple Plaza, the festival will feature 25+ Black-owned businesses and artists, as part of the City’s broader effort to support inclusive economic growth and equitable arts programming. 

(Link to video of press conference)

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today, Mayor Justin Elicker and New Haven Director of Arts, Culture & Tourism Adriane Jefferson joined Black business owners, artists, and other city and business leaders to announce and promote New Haven's first Black Wall Street Festival. The festival will take place this Saturday, August 27th from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at Temple Plaza and will feature over 25 Black-owned businesses selling high-quality products and services spanning the arts, books, clothing, consulting, cosmetics and skin care, food, drink, jewelry, wellness products and more. Live music and performances will also be a part of the festivities. 

"To truly thrive, New Haven's economic growth has to include every member and every neighborhood in our community. New Haven’s Black Wall Street Festival is both an important and symbolic step towards advancing the City’s commitment to inclusive growth and addressing a history that has all too often left communities of color out of the economic and cultural arts conversation,” said Mayor Justin Elicker. “As a City, we are committed to supporting and celebrating the economic and cultural aspirations and contributions of all New Haven residents and I encourage everyone to come out to the festival and to support New Haven’s Black-owned businesses."

Mayor Elicker noted that August is National Black Business Month and that 28 Black-owned businesses have opened storefronts in the City of New Haven since January 2021. The event is a part of the City's broader effort to advance inclusive economic growth and to provide equitable arts programming and opportunities for all, as outlined in New Haven's first-ever Cultural Equity Plan.

"Historically, Black Wall Streets were self-sufficient and prosperous black business districts. Black Wall Street festivals are important to restoring the concept of Black business districts and helpful steps in closing the racial wealth gap and fostering economic growth for residents of color,” Adriane Jefferson, New Haven’s Director of Arts, Culture & Tourism stated. “This summer, our focus has been on revitalizing platforms for creative talent and boosting the entertainment industry in New Haven.”

The event is being organized by the City of New Haven Department of Arts, Culture, and Tourism in partnership with The Breed Entertainment, a New Haven-based music production and entertainment company founded by Grammy-nominated producers Aaron "Y.A" Rogers and Rashad "Snacks" Johnson.

“The Cultural Equity Plan we released in January focuses on providing equitable arts programming and opportunities for all people, specifically focusing on those consistently underserved by the City's arts and cultural offerings in the past," continued Jefferson. "Our partnership with The Breed Entertainment this summer has been essential in accomplishing this mission and paves the way for intergenerational Black and brown artists and entertainers to be seen, heard, and celebrated through culturally relevant programming." 

"A community can only thrive if resources are available to everyone," stated Aaron "Y.A." Rogers and Rashad "Snacks" Johnson, co-founders of The Breed Entertainment. “This partnership with the New Haven Department of Cultural Affairs has created many opportunities and platforms for Black creative entrepreneurs, business owners, and artists. We plan on making this an annual event and feel like this is the beginning of a trusting and continual relationship with the City of New Haven."

Other speakers at the press conference included festival vendors Athena Murphy, Owner of Lip Lock LLC and Arden Santana, Founder of SAHGE Academy as well as Jesse Phillips, Coordinator of Inclusive Growth at the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce and Michael Piscitelli, New Haven Economic Development Administrator, among others. 

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