Showcasing Black Excellence: New Haven Black Wall St. Fest Saturday

NEW HAVEN, CT — The 2nd annual Black Wall Street Festival featuring 150 vendors "showcasing Black excellence," as well as a full line-up of Black artists and performers, is set for Saturday, Aug. 19 from noon to 8 p.m. on the New Haven Green.

Being held during National Black Business Month, the festival is part of New Haven’s "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."

The event is 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 festival celebrates and showcases Black-owned businesses and organizations offering a wide variety of products, goods, and services including 20 "diverse food vendors," a VIP Tent, activities for all ages, live music and performances from local and regional artists, musicians, DJs, and other performers, including a drill team, drum squad, and jump rope team.

In its inaugural year in 2022, the Black Wall Street Festival featured around 35 Black-owned businesses and artists at Temple Plaza. The year, due to expanded regional interest and growth, the number of participating Black-owned businesses has nearly quadrupled, and moved to the larger, historic New Haven Green.

This year’s festival will also feature new Activity Centers, including: a Family Tent where kids and caregivers can enjoy a variety of activities and free giveaways; an Empowerment Tent where entrepreneurs can learn about and get connected to services and resources to help them start, grow, or scale their businesses; and “The Yard” Tent for members of The Divine Nine group of Black fraternities and sororities to gather and connect.

Wednesday, a news briefing on the event was attended by Mayor Justin Elicker, Adriane Jefferson, Director of Arts, Culture & Tourism, City of New Haven, Carlos Eyzaguirre, Deputy Economic Development Administrator, City of New Haven, Aaron Rogers and Rashad Johnson, Co-Founders, The Breed Entertainment, Diane X Brown, Founder, Urban Librarian Consulting, Jesse Phillips, Coordinator of Inclusive Growth, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, Arthur Thomas, Director of Mission Investing and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Rosetta Washington, Owner, Wholesome Approach LLC, Rashaan Boyd, Owner, A Hustlers Vibe, JR Torchon, Owner, Lets All Win Team and Lindy Lee Gold, Member, New Haven Cultural Affairs Commission.