Black-Owned Businesses of Fort Collins
Black-American migration to the west increased during the 1900’s in efforts to discover opportunities for self-determination free of the Jim Crow reality in the south.
As they found more freedom and good-paying jobs in the west, the looming reality of nation-wide racism continued to make life difficult.
This long history of discrimination against Black-Americans, forcing them into the margins, has made record keeping difficult for the black community. To this day, a comprehensive list of their accomplishments is hard to come by.
For Fort Collins aims to support the shift away from that reality. By providing a platform for our Black-owned businesses, we create a space for them to tell their stories by connecting them with the community around them.
Konjo Coffee
Looking for a warm beverage this holiday season? Don’t forget Konjo Coffee when you’re supporting local! Konjo, meaning “beautiful, tasty and good” in Amharic, serves traditional Ethiopian coffee and even hosts coffee ceremonies in the mornings during the week!
BT Imprintables Green & Gold
For Black History Month we talked to Vincent about the courage it takes to start your own business, how to sustain yourself during the early years and what it’s like to own and run a business in Fort Collins. Check out the interview here.
Louise Cutler Fine Art Studio – A Culture Preserved (in the Black Experience) Highlight
We’re celebrating Black Business Month by highlighting Louise Cutler Fine Art Studio, a local artist with a featured exhibit at the Museum of Art. Read our interview with Louise as she shares more about her curated exhibition.
Project Pizza
February is Black History Month and we’re celebrating our local, black-owned businesses in Fort Collins. Check out the story of Chef & Founder Isaiah Ruffin of the Pizza Project, a food truck that cares about the food, environment, and giving back to the community.
Louise Cutler Fine Art Studio
This Small Business Season, we visited with local artist and community innovator Louise Cutler at her studio. Read more about her work and where she hopes to take Fort Collins in the art scene.
Black Sparrow Media
August is Black Business Month and we want to celebrate and support our local, black-owned businesses in Fort Collins. Check out the story of Jamal Page, founder and creative director of Black Sparrow Media.
Urban Monk Studios
August is Black Business Month and we want to celebrate and support Black-owned business owners in our community. Hear the story of Saja Butler, owner of Urban Monk Studios.
Beautifully Savage
We want to give Black business owners a chance to tell their story, to imagine a more inclusive and diverse future for Fort Collins and to help our community understand what they can do to lift up Black businesses. Joe Buckner, owner of Beautifully Savage shares his perspective.
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