West Hartford Chamber to Host Annual Black History Month Breakfast

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The Minority Business Network, a committee of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, will host its fourth annual Black History Month Breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 26.

It will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. atWest Hartford Fellowship Housing,20 Starkel Road, West Hartford.

This year’s program, “A Century of Black History Celebrations: Rooted in History, Rising Through Community,” will feature a panel discussion, networking, and a light breakfast.

Organizers said the 2026 event will examine the history shaping West Hartford today, with discussion of the MLK39 Racial Equity Mural at the Noah Webster Library and the town’s Juneteenth and Caribbean Heritage Month celebrations.

Scheduled panelists are Adrienne Billings-Smith, former West Hartford Town Council member and organizer of the town’s Juneteenth Celebration; Carol Blanks, former town council and West Hartford Board of Education member and organizer of West Hartford’s Caribbean Heritage Month Celebration; Judy Casperson, former town council member; Matt Conway, executive director of The RiseUP Group and creator of the MLK39 Racial Equity Mural; and state Rep. Tammy Exum, D-West Hartford.

Chris Clarke, chairman of the board of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce and chairman and co-founder of the Chamber’s Minority Business Network, will moderate the discussion.

“While every month is Black History Month, it’s truly a privilege to moderate this panel featuring pioneers who have shaped business, public policy, and the arts in West Hartford,” Clarke said. “And selfishly, it’s also a great excuse to sit with friends I admire and hear their vision for what’s next.”

Founded in early 2020, the Minority Business Network was created to provide visibility, networking opportunities, and resources to Chamber members from underrepresented racial, ethnic, and religious communities, according to the organization.

Its stated mission includes increasing the visibility of minority-owned businesses and expanding diversity within Chamber membership.

The event is presented by Westfield Bank, with additional support from Digital 628 Design, Charter Technology Solutions, and the Collaboration of Minority Women Professionals.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click on this link.