Black history is more than slavery.
Black history is more than segregation.
Black history is more than struggle.
Black history is innovation.
Black history is creativity.
Black history is resilience.
Black history is triumph.
~We The Urban
As we honor Black History Month, we celebrate Black Americans whose influence quietly but profoundly shaped our nation, often behind the scenes, often without credit, but always with lasting impact.
Bayard Rustin (1912–1987)
Strategist. Organizer. Architect of Change.
Bayard Rustin was a master organizer and the chief architect of the 1963 March on Washington. A committed advocate of nonviolence, Rustin advised Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and helped translate civil rights ideals into effective national action. His work reminds us that progress often depends on those willing to lead without the spotlight.
The Underground Railroad in Ridgefield: A Hidden Piece of Black History, Revealed
What: A conversation about the Underground Railroad in Ridgefield featuring author and Ridgefield Town Historian Jack Saunders and Ridgefield’s Ira Joe Fisher, presented in collaboration with the Ridgefield Historical Society.
Where: The Historic Meetinghouse, 605 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield, CT
When: Saturday, February 21, 2:00 to 5:00 pm
Mary Ellen Pleasant (1814–1904)
Entrepreneur. Abolitionist. Power Broker.
Mary Ellen Pleasant used her success as a businesswoman to secretly fund abolitionist causes, support the Underground Railroad, and challenge segregation laws in court. Known as the Mother of Civil Rights in California, her influence extended far beyond what was publicly acknowledged during her lifetime.
WCSU Celebration of Black History Month Through Art, Music, and Words
What: Student and faculty vocalists honor Black History Month through the music of Black composers.
Where: Veronica Hagman Concert Hall, VPAC, Danbury, CT
When: Saturday, February 21 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm
Florence Price (1887–1953)
Composer. Trailblazer. Musical Innovator.
Florence Price was the first Black woman to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra when the Chicago Symphony Orchestra premiered her work in 1933. Classically trained, she blended European orchestral traditions with African American spirituals and rhythms, creating a distinctly American sound. Despite facing barriers of race and gender, Price composed more than 300 works, many of which are only now being rediscovered and celebrated. Her legacy lives on through the musicians and composers she paved the way for.
Danbury Library: Black History Month Events for Families & Kids
What: Books for all ages, speakers, hands-on activities, and family programming celebrating Black history and culture.
Where: 170 Main Street, Danbury, CT
When: Multiple dates throughout February
Lewis Latimer (1848–1928)
ighting the Way Forward.
Lewis Latimer was an inventor and engineer whose work made electric lighting practical and affordable. His innovations improved the incandescent light bulb and helped bring electricity into homes across America. Without Latimer’s contributions, everyday modern life, from homes to cities, would look very different.
Stamford Community Vendor Fair
What: A gathering of artisans and diverse, Black-owned businesses.
Where: UConn Stamford Campus, 1 University Place, Stamford, CT.
When: February 28 | 11:00 am–4:00 pm
Annie Turnbo Malone (1869–1957)
Innovator. Business Builder. Community Leader.
Annie Turnbo Malone was a pioneering hair care entrepreneur who built a thriving beauty empire and trained thousands of Black women in business and cosmetology. Her company employed more than 75,000 women worldwide at its peak, and she used her wealth to fund scholarships, orphanages, and community institutions. Malone’s impact lives on through the generations of women she empowered through ownership, education, and opportunity.
Black History Is Local, Lived, and Ongoing
Honoring Black history also means engaging with the stories, culture, and creativity happening right here in our region.
Click below for an impressive collection of ways to celebrate Black culture, history, and businesses across Connecticut.
Supporting Black owned businesses is a meaningful way to honor Black History Month. Explore a powerful directory of local businesses below.
Share this page with family and friends to help spread awareness of these events, experiences, and the remarkable individuals highlighted above.
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