Discover Black Owned Businesses
Explore the culture, connect with the past, celebrate the present, discover authentic experiences
Black contributions in Cayuga County date back to before the 1800s. During your visit to Cayuga County connect with the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to authentic experiences. From museums and historic sites to modern day cafes, wineries and breweries and community events. It’s hard not to find something to do. Cayuga County is known for its rich equal rights history. Visit and learn about the people who changed the course of history at a black history site, or visit black-owned businesses to eat, drink, and shop.
Our communities continue to live out the legacy of its historic residents, Harriet Tubman, William H Seward and his wife Francis, and more. In addition to her bravery, as a conductor on the Underground Railroad and as a spy in the Civil Was Tubman was a highly successful entrepreneur and businesswoman in her time.
Today, residents are maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit of Harriet Tubman by running their own restaurants, selling art and products and offering a variety of services. While visiting, shop local by patronizing the black-owned shops in Cayuga County that are living in Harriet Tubman’s legacy.
Business Owner Highlight of the Month
Meet Arthur the Artist, he creates digital art, paper craft and murals. You do not have to visit his studio to experience his work, you may have already seen his work on two murals in downtown Auburn, NY. The Harriet Tubman and Welcome to Auburn murals have certainly inspired and made us smile! Learn more about Arthur and his work at http://arthurtheartist.com
“Creating the Harriet Tubman mural was a huge accomplishment. I appreciate all the support I received from the project team, the donors, and everyone who came to celebrate the unveiling. Seeing the joy on everyone’s faces as we cut the ribbon was one of the proudest moments of my life. It was a privilege working on a design to honor the legacy of someone so meaningful to Auburn and people everywhere. I still get excited when I see people’s reactions and hear how it makes them feel! I love using my passion to inspire others, and I’m proud to be part of a community that values art, history, and culture.”
Black Owned Businesses
Where you go matters…make it count
“Visiting Auburn, NY was so important for tracing my African American roots in this country. So much of our history has been scuttled and even banned in parts of the country. Being able to tour a town with strong abolitionist ties that hold such important parts of our freedom-fighting legacy is a life-changing experience. I want more people, specially those who look like me, to visit Auburn and experience the golden history that’s still visible in the town’s foundation.”
– Jeroslyn JoVonn
