Where Are All The Black People In Phoenix, Arizona?

Are you relocating to Phoenix, AZ, to go to school, work, or leave the brutally cold winters back east? Or buy a home because California home prices are just a tad bit out of your price range. Or are you just looking for a fresh start in a new city? Well, whatever your reason, let me start by saying WELCOME!

I'm a black Phoenix Native, and I will tell you about the Phoenix Black Culture! Yes, Phoenix has black people and black culture!

When moving to Phoenix, the first thing to look for is the black media subscribe to The AZ Informant (azinformant.com), Arizona's longest-running black newspaper run by the Campbell family for 50 years now. 99% of AZ Informant news you won't find in any other media news outlet in Arizona. The AZ Informant record Arizona's black history. Secondly, go to PhxSoul.Com run by Phoenix Native Tremaine Jasper, if you are looking for a more in-depth look at community events, concerts, or advertising your black-owned businesses.

AZ Informant 50th Anniversary BGCU founder Sarah Simpson and PHXSOUL.COM owner Tremaine Jasper Dec 2021

Where is the black side of town in Phoenix? Does Phoenix have a black side of town? Do you really want to know? 👀 drum roll 🥁 South Phx, or the SouthSide as us natives call it, from 16th st and Jefferson to the base of South Mountain far west as 35th ave to as Far East to 48th st. Black people were redlined in the 1940’s and 1950’s to buy and South Phoenix was the only place, black people could buy a home. Now black people do live all over Phoenix Metro and surrounding suburbs but if you want a heavy concentration of black people South Phoenix is the culture gem. Join Facebook Group (Move Back to South Phoenix Group) for all things South Phoenix.

Now let’s dive into (Black Phoenix) Trying to find the black church? Sunday mornings between 8 am- 1 pm is Sunday Service Phoenix has three of the oldest and biggest black churches on the same street Jefferson St. in downtown Phoenix.

Tanner Chapel (tannerchapel.org)

First Institutional Baptist Church (fibcaz.org)

Pilgrim Rest Baptist (pilgrimrestphx.org)

Not into BIG mega-churches, here are three honorable mentions that you can connect to the culture, as well.

Faith Christian Center (fcc-phx.com)

Kingdom of the Valley (www.kingdom.church)

South Phx Missionary Baptist (2006 E Broadway Rd Phx 85040)

Need your hair done, need a fresh cut, or want to buy some hair

Well, I have to go with my hairstylist Malcohm Pitts of Kail'von Studio Salon. My hair is natural, and he keeps my tresses well maned. www.facebook.com/KailvonStudioSalon/

Need a haircut? well, look no further than the realist barbers in the Valley Cuttie's Barbershop at 1636 E Southern Rd Phoenix 85040. www.facebook.com/Cutties-Barbershop.

When she is not booked and busy with clients, I go hair braider and stylist Aisha Wesley of The Stylish Lyfe @thestylishlyfe on IG for braids. She is excellent but stays booked!

Need some hair? I personally do not wear weave or wigs, but I do get braids in the summer, and when I buy braiding hair, I do go to the black-owned beauty supply stores ZuZu Beauty Supply Store 2700 W Baseline Rd Tempe, AZ 85283, which is a mile from South Phoenix (wink) A brief history lesson the longest-running black-owned beauty supply store in Phoenix Mitchell's recently shut its doors after being in business for 50 years.

Now you have worked in a predominately white space all week, and now you want to unwind, let loose, and dance the day or night away! Well, these establishments and events may be just what you need.

The Boom Boom Room 1544 E Mcdowell Rd Phx 85006

https://facebook.com/boomboomroomphx

Travis L Williams American Legion (First Friday's) 1624 E Broadway Rd Phoenix 85040

Brunchish Day Party (brunchishdayparty.com)

Local Club Promotor Eugene Thompson Presents Groove Candy and Other Events groovecandysoho.eventbrite.com

Now that you are done socializing, it is time to build your professional network. We have very active black professional networks here in Phoenix.

Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals (phoenixulyp.com)

AZ Black Bar Association (arizonablackbar.org)

AZ Association of Black Journalists (www.azabj.org)

AZ Black Nurses Association https://bnagpa.org

AZ National Sales Network https://www.salesnetwork.org/phoenix/

AZ Chapter of Accountants https://community.nabainc.org/phoenix/home

AZ Chapter Black MBA Association https://nbmbaa.org/nbmbaa-phoenix-chapter/

University of Arizona Black Alumni https://www.facebook.com/UABAPhoenix/

Arizona State University Black Alumni https://alumni.asu.edu/chapters/asu-black-alumni-chapter

All of the Divine Nine chapters are represented here as well.

What about the kids? You have children and want to get them active in the community.

Future Stars STEM program (futurestarsaz.org)

South Mountain Pop Warner Football (www.southpopwarner.com)

Delta Gems (dsttempe.org)

Girl Scout Troop (girlscoutaz.org)

The Salvation Army Croc Center https://krocphoenix.org/kroc-phoenix/

Boys & Girls Club https://www.bgcaz.org/mlb-all-star-d-backs-branch/

Want some black art, graphic tees, soaps, or jewelry from black-owned business owners.

Archwood Exchange is your one-stop-shop for all things black-owned they are dedicated to economic development and financially empowering our community. Before COVID they would host a buy black event 1x per month now, they do cash mobs where they select a black-owned business for the day for people to frequent and buy to boost sales. (www.facebook.com/ArchwoodExchange)

Needing the latest reads and finds from black authors than look no further than the only black-owned bookstore in Phoenix Grassrootz Books & Juice Bar 1145 E. Washington St 200 Phx www.grassrootzbookstore.com

GrassRootz Bookstore Downtown Phoenix-Black Owned/Black Authors

AFRI-Soul Marketplace

Are you hungry and want some soul food or support a black-owned restaurant?

Well, here are just a few soul food & black-owned restaurants.

Mrs. Whites 808 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85034

Lolo's Chicken and Waffles (loloschickenandwaffles.com)

Lader+Delta (www.thelarderandthedelta.com) TrappHause BBQ (trapphausbbq.com)

Harold's Chicken Shack https://www.haroldschickenaz.com

For my Vegans https://www.earlybirdvegan.com

Brunch and Sip https://brunchnsip.com

And here is a link for more black-owned businesses, particularly in downtown Phoenix which is about 4 miles from South Phoenix https://dtphx.org/2021/02/24/10-black-owned-businesses-downtown-phoenix/

So I have highlighted just a tiny glimpse of Phoenix's black culture for you. Hear it from a native first; never listen to a transplant; their views are skewed, and they miss home.

So if and when you move or visit Phoenix, what will you do first? Subscribe to The AZ Informant, the local black newspaper, and PhxSoul.com. You must stay informed, saying, "Well, I didn't know" should never be an excuse when it comes to your community or if you move to Gilbert or Scottsdale and wonder where all the black people are, we ain't predominately there; you may see 3-4 black folk a week in Gilbert or Scottsdale..lol

Phoenix is the 5th largest and fastest-growing city in the nation, and it is still reasonably affordable compared to other large cities like NY, DMV, and LA. So when you move to Phoenix, don't think Atlanta, Chicago, or Detroit (EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE A LOT OF TRANSPLANTS FROM THOSE CITIES) Phoenix is not Atlanta, Chicago, or Detroit (Thank God)

Phoenix is majestic and unique, with a lot of room for growth opportunities in professional careers, homeownership, and small business creation. Phoenix is sunny and warm, and everywhere you turn, you can see a mountain or two. If you come to Phoenix to visit or make your new home enjoy the sunshine, mountain views, the black community predominately in South Phoenix, and the essence of our black culture, black churches, and black businesses in downtown Phoenix.

#BGUC

XOXO