Hartford Changemakers

With its inaugural launch for the month of February 2023, Hartford’s Black Heroes Trail honors Hartford heroes that have made history at the local and national level. The inaugural version of the trail features 19 installations along Main Street in Hartford, each highlighting a different impactful hero with a brief description of their accomplishments. The project is in conversation with the Hartford History Center’s “Hartford Changemakers” reference guide. Learn more below and click on names to the left to learn more about our over 45 change makers.

The idea for the Hartford Black Heroes Trail was originally brought to Councilwoman Tiana Hercules from local advocate Bridgitte Prince and was developed by her office with significant help from the Hartford History Center at Hartford Public Library, Hartford’s Department of Public Works and Office of Equity & Opportunity, as well as dozens of neighborhood organizations. The project also received sponsorship from Councilwoman Shirley Surgeon and Council Majority Leader TJ Clarke.  

To learn more about the honorees, or where to find their respective installations, you can follow along on our interactive map.

LOCATIONS AND HONOREES:

• Hartford Public Library Downtown (500 Main St.)

  • Honoring Gertrude Blanks - Master Storyteller & Actress (1920-2019)

• Hartford City Hall (550 Main St.)  

  • Honoring Carrie Saxon Perry - Former Mayor of Hartford (1931-2018)

• Central Row (750 Main St.) 

  • Honoring Glenda Lorraine Copes Reed - Business Executive (1944-2013)

• Capital Community College (950 Main St.) 

  • Honoring Thirman L. Milner - Former Mayor of Hartford (Born 1933)

• Dunkin Donuts Park (1214 Main St.)

  • Honoring Walter "Doc" Hurley - Athlete, School Administrator, Coach, Mentor (1923-2014)

• Semilla Cafe (1283 Main St.) 

  • Honoring Travis Dimeer Terry - Entrepreneur & Fashion Designer (Born 1998)

• Keney Tower (Corner of Main and Ely St.)

  • Honoring Arthur Lyman “Shrimp” Johnson - Athlete, Civil Rights Activist, Radio Station President, Poet (1918-1999)

• Community Renewal Team (1443 Main St.) 

  • Honoring Ella Brown - Connecticut's first Black policewoman (1918-1984)

• Hartford Fire Department Engine Co. 2/District 2 (1515 Main St.)

  • Honoring John Bradley Stewart Jr. - Fire Chief, Politician, Community Leader (1930-2015)

• Women's League Inc Child Development (1695 Main St.) 

  • Honoring Mary A. Johnson - Business Owner, Social Services & Recreation Organizational Leader (1881-1959)

• Old North Cemetery (1759 Main St. and 1910 Main St.) 

  • Honoring Mary Townsend Seymour - First Black woman to run for state office in the nation & Co-founder of the Hartford NAACP (1875-1957)

  • Honoring Gwendolyn Clarke Reed - Actress, Playwright, Community Storyteller (1912-1974)

• Hartford Public Library, SAND/Ropkins Branch (1750 Main St.) 

  • Honoring Dr. Spencer Shaw - Storyteller, Educator, First Black Librarian at Hartford Public Library (1917-2010)

• Mt. Olive Church Ministries (20 Battles St. - Corner of Battles and Main)

  • Honoring Rev. Dr. Richard Battles - Civil Rights Leader, Advocate, Reverend (1928-1980)

• Philips Health Center (2532 Main St.) 

  • Honoring Judge Boce Barlow - Connecticut's First Black Judge (1915-2005)

• Parker Memorial Community Center (2621 Main St.) 

  • Honoring Marcus Camby - Professional Basketball Player (Born 1974)

• William R. Hales Corner (3296 Main St. - Corner of Tower and Main)

  • Honoring William Roy Hales - Businessman, Media Publisher (1934-2007)

• West Indian Social Club (3340 Main St.)

  • Honoring Phyllis Goggins - World's fastest Double Dutch Jumper (1968-2015)

• St. Monica’s Episcopal Church (3575 Main St.) 

  • Honoring Reverend Collin B. Bennett - Businessman, City Councilman, Priest (1931-1998)

SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Hartford’s Department of Public Works, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, The Hartford Courant, Hartford History Center at Hartford Public Library, Capital Community College, Northeast NRZ, Clay Arsenal NRZ, Upper Albany NRZ, Blue Hills Civic Association, Phillips Health Center - Buchanan, Community Renewal Team, St. Monica’s Church, Mount Olive Church, Connecticut Historical Society - Tasha Caswell, The Connecticut State Library - Mel Smith, Reggie Hales, Laverne Terry, Hartford Public High School Athletic Hall of Fame - Mike Forest.