Hamden Through Time - The Places that Held Us

In 1938, African Americans in towns like Hamden faced the daily realities of redlining, employment discrimination, and segregation while navigating the larger waves of the Great Migration. Yet, in the face of systemic barriers, Black communities built sanctuaries of resilience and belonging. This panel explores the central role of churches, social clubs, and community organizations as safe spaces where Black residents could gather, organize, and thrive. Local historians, community leaders, and storytellers will discuss how these spaces fostered cultural expression, mutual aid, and resistance—and how their legacies continue to shape community life today.

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