Explore the Mile High City
Denver is a modern city that is known for its place in the mountains. From the elevation to the modernity, most of us only know about the city in a superficial manner. However, Denver has a more storied history as one of the Western United States’ gateways. It also has a special place for black people, at one point being considered the “Harlem of the West”. For people who love the fresh air, and the great outdoors, Denver makes the perfect place to take a vacation, and while you’re there in the Rocky Mountains, take in some of the Black Owned Businesses the city has to offer. Our list includes several in the Five Points neighborhood, highlighting this area and its importance in Black History.
Black American West Museum and Heritage Center
The Black American West Museum & Heritage Center, located in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood, is dedicated to preserving and sharing the significant contributions of African Americans in the settlement and development of the American West. It was created out of founder Paul W. Stewart’s passion for collecting the stories of African Americans in the West. While the museum is famous for telling the story of black cowboys, it also tells the stories of those early African Americans who came west and performed as miners, soldiers, homesteaders, ranchers, blacksmiths. schoolteachers, lawmen, and every other profession needed to build up and develop the West.
Whittier Cafe is iconic in the city of Denver for both its coffee and commitment to activism. This is Denver’s only coffee house that is serving African Espresso. Every Sunday at 2 pm you can participate in anEast African Coffee ceremony. Watch them roast, brew in the clay pot “jebena” and enjoy coffee the way it was intended. They also have African beers, pastries, and other light eats.
Novel Strand Brewery was created in 2016 by Ayana Coker, Chantel Columna, and Tamir Danon. It was the culmination of a dream the three had 4 years earlier while living in upstate New York. Now the team at Novel Strand gets to live out their goal of brewing the best beer possible. If you love high quality craft beer, Novel Strand should be on your list of must visit breweries. But that’s not all as they also have a cafe where you can grab a cup of coffee or tea and a pastry to snack on as you work or hang out.
If you are looking for exquisite French Cuisine in Denver, look no further than “Le French”. This restaurant is run by two Senegalese sisters who are showcasing their heritage with their globally inspired bistro. The food here is carefully prepared and fresh, made using local ingredients from the area. From weekend brunch to dinner during the week, Le French is a black owned restaurant bringing its own class to the Denver dining scene.
Le’Day Grant is the owner of Mykings Ice Cream, a shop named after her son. The shop is more than just a place for a great cool and sweet cup or cone of ice cream. It’s a place for the community to come together and to help they also host events like their “Lic and Paint” where you can enjoy a treat while making art.
The clothing brand Lawrence and Larimer is located in one of the historic parts of Denver on Colfax Avenue. This independent boutique is known as one of the leaders of fashion and streetwear in Denver. They are heavily invested in the community, collaborating and engaging with them on events that celebrate the culture and heritage of the city.
The Museum for Black Girls was founded in 2019 to provide an immersive experience in joy with nostalgic memories. Explore the scenery that features powerful works of art from Black Women and cultural icons. Artist and creator Von Ross’ Museum features 20 scenes that are picturesque, instagrammable, and educational at the same time. A rare commodity these days. When you are in Denver, stop past the 16th Street Mall’s second floor and take in this awesome activity.
Welton Street Cafe first opened in 1999 to offer classic southern dishes and caribbean food to residents of Five Points. Its menu was a staple until 2022 when factors outside of their control caused it to close.This was short lived, because in 2024, Welton Street Cafe opened in a new location down the street to serve the community once again. It remains family owned to this day, remaining a piece of Denver’s Black History and being a perfect place to enjoy a meal that will remind you of home.
If you go just a little bit Southeast of Denver you will end up in the suburb of Parker where you will find Jessie’s Smokin’ Nola. This restaurant is bringing the joy and culture of New Orleans to the area with crawfish, jambalaya, and muffalata among their offerings. Don’t miss out on the crispy fried chicken either. For something that brings the heat not in the middle of the beaten path, Jessie’s Smokin Nola makes a good option.
This Black Owned Tea House and Bookstore is a staple in Denver and another one of the great members of the Historic Five Points Community. Owned and Operated by Rise Jones, you can stop by and get yourself a great cup of tea or treats at any time. In the evenings, you can also get wine by the glass, a craft cocktail or beer. For another experience you and some friends can book a personal tea party or a number of intimate events.
The Blair Caldwell African American Research Library is a plays a pivotal part in preserving the history of Black Americans in Denver and the Western United States.Like many of the other spaces in the Five Points Neighborhood, is a communal space, hosting events for the community along with their collection of texts, photographs, manuscripts, letters, and diaries.
One thing that Denver seems to have is a number of Black owned ice cream shops. One business that is growing is Colfax and Cream, created by the husband and wife team of Tullie and Senait Bailey. Their shops are more than ice cream, they are an entire vibe. A Mix between a skate shop and ice cream parlor with vibrant colors and a graffiti aesthetic. Not only do they have ice cream, but they have amazing customizable drinks, shakes, espresso and Argentinian pastries.
