Long before it became one of Boston’s neighborhoods, Roxbury was an independent town founded in 1630.
While its population has looked different over the years, from colonizers to European immigrants of various backgrounds, the neighborhood took shape as a vibrant hub of Black life as far back as the early 1900s. Due to the Great Migration and the arrivals of Black immigrants, the diaspora has maintained roots in Roxbury, resulting in it now being considered the “Heart of Black Culture in Boston.”
Below, read through a grounded neighborhood guide that shares where to learn about the neighborhood’s history, its businesses, and how to experience its unique melting pot of Black cultures and communities.
Get To Know Roxbury’s History And Vibe
Simple yet effective, walking around Roxbury is a great way to immerse yourself in the neighborhood. One of the best ways to be primed on the area’s past, historical sites, and prominent figures is by embarking on the Roxbury Memory Trail and the neighborhood’s portion of the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail. The latter includes First Haitian Baptist Church, artist Fern Cunningham’s “Family Circle” bronze sculpture, and the historic former homes of Black women including Ella Little-Collins, Lucy Miller Mitchell, and Amanda Houston.
Additionally, Roxbury Heritage State Park and Malcolm X Park are beloved green spaces that branch together local history with proximity to the area’s current community. Moreover, Franklin Park, Boston’s largest park, is also partially in Roxbury.
Sinking Into Nubian Square
Formerly known as “Dudley Square,” Nubian Square is a longtime hub of Black businesses, restaurants, and community organizations. In 2019, when the Public Improvement Commission voted on the matter, then-Boston mayor Marty Walsh tweeted, “When residents speak out, change happens. Congratulations to the advocates who worked to change the name of Dudley Square to Nubian Square to better reflect the character of #Roxbury.”
Officially opened in 2008, Frugal Bookstore is a local gem that’s so much more than where to pick up your next read. The community haven and gathering place focuses on promoting literacy at all ages. And when patrons aren’t skimming the shelves for page-turners, Black literature, and children’s books, the store hosts engaging events worth participating in.
Exploring The Neighborhood’s Art Scene
Roxbury is a place where Black art is preserved, but also living, thriving, and actively being created.
Hibernian Hall is a community and cultural hub where locals and visitors alike can enjoy the arts, live performances, festivals, comedy shows, and a variety of free programming.
In the neighborhood, look up and see the works of Black artists everywhere you go. If street art and murals are your thing, look out for “Africa Is the Beginning” by Gary Rickson, “Faces of Dudley” by Mike Womble of the Mayor’s Mural Crew, and “Breathe Life 3” by Rob “Problak” Gibbs.
Also, the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists (NCAAA) is a regional gem located in Roxbury’s historic Abbotsford Estate. The site is home to over 3,000 Black artworks and artifacts from around the world. And if you’re in Boston for the holidays, NCAAA’s Black Nativity production (shown at the Paramount Center in Boston’s Theater District) is a golden experience.
Feast On A Variety Of Black, African, And Caribbean Cuisines
As the heart of Black Boston, Roxbury is the best place to feast on cuisines of the diaspora. If you only have time to visit one area of the city for a culinary adventure, Roxbury is the place for a flavorful exploration of Black-owned restaurants, global dishes, and innovations from leading culinary talent. In addition to the variety of soul food you can find, immigrants from across the Caribbean and Africa offer their own tastes of home. Suya Joint and Ashur Restaurant are two of those staple spots.
Where the Roxbury and South End neighborhoods meet is Uptown Social (formerly Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen). Run by powerhouse local restaurateur Nia Grace, the establishment offers an upscale vibe, live music, and elevated Southern food from chef and culinary director Chelven Randolph. Steps away, Mida, the Italian restaurant of multi-James Beard Award semifinalist chef Douglass Williams, is considered one of the best spots in the city. Serving up some of the most raved-about dishes in Boston’s food scene, go to the latter for the arancini, smoked short rib, lasagna, and eggplant parmesan.
Also worth tapping into is the Cape Verdean cuisine available thanks to Boston’s local diaspora. Patrons of Roxbury’s Nos Casa love the curry chicken, toresma, and catchupa.
Experience Roxbury On Its Own Terms
Roxbury is an undeniably rooted and vital part of Boston. Shopping at the neighborhood’s Black-owned businesses is a great way to support locals. That said, Roxbury’s intersection of Black history, art, and diasporic cuisines and cultures allows visitors to immerse themselves in more meaningful and memorable ways.
Beyond visiting the neighborhood’s hotspots, it’s worthwhile taking your time, strolling around, getting a feel for the community, and embracing Roxbury’s past and present. Checking out smaller businesses, learning about anti-gentrification efforts, and supporting neighborhood events and initiatives can be ways to engage with the neighborhood more deeply. Additionally, the Shaw-Roxbury branch of the Boston Public Library frequently hosts unique programming on Black culture and history that’s worth looking into and attending.
Visitors interested in deepening their exploration of Black enclaves and history in Boston should plan to spend time in Mattapan, Dorchester, and on the Black Heritage Trail in Beacon Hill.
