Inside the Black Wall Street Festival: A Celebration of Black and Brown Brilliance

New Haven’s Black Wall Street Festival returns August 16, and this year, it’s got it all. More than 300 Black-owned businesses will fill The Green for the city’s biggest celebration of Black and Brown creativity, culture, and community.

New to the lineup: The Audacity to Build summit on August 14, where conversations around wealth, identity, and power take center stage. On August 15, the Entrepreneur Party is back with a fresh new vibe and a live performance by R&B favorite Vedo.

Also debuting: The Yard, a high-energy space honoring HBCU pride and the Divine Nine.

We caught up with Aaron Rogers from The Breed for a behind-the-scenes look at why this year’s festival is one not to miss.

Tell us about Black Wall Street. Why was it founded?

Black Wall Street was inspired by its namesake in Tulsa and that powerful legacy of Black excellence, ownership, and resilience. We wanted to carry that spirit forward, especially in a time where supporting Black-owned everything felt more important than ever. So, we built a space where people could come together – to vibe, to learn, to support one another, and to circulate the dollar in our own communities. It’s more than a festival; it’s a movement rooted in love, intention, and empowerment.

What are the core values and mission of Black Wall Street?

At the heart of the Black Wall Street Festival, it’s really about community, culture, and circulation. Our mission is to empower Black and Brown entrepreneurs, creatives, and leaders and instill a sense of pride by creating a space that celebrates our excellence and supports our growth – economically, socially, and artistically.

The core values that drive us are ownership, unity, creativity, and legacy. We want to ensure that every vendor, artist, business, or guest who pulls up feels seen, valued, and cared for. This festival is about more than just a good time — it’s about building something that lasts, inspiring the next generation, and showing what’s possible when we come together on purpose.

For more information on the festival, head to bwsfestival.com.

Photo credit: Arts Council of Greater New Haven