4 Black Women-Owned & Led Galleries and Cultural Centers to Add to Your NYC Favorites
- Annie
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
On my journey of discovering and bringing more Black businesses into my everyday life, these are some of the spaces that have stayed with me. Whether you're a local looking for community, a first-generation kid reconnecting with your roots, an art lover wanting to see yourself reflected on the walls, or a visitor who wants their NYC experience to go deeper than the tourist trail — these four spaces are for you.
Here are 4 Black women-led galleries and cultural centers in NYC to add to your list.
Table of Contents:
Haiti Cultural Exchange (HCX)
Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Haiti Cultural Exchange - Holiday Bazaar & LAKOU NOU Residency
Led by Régine Roumain and an incredible team — including Kassandra Khalil, Riva Precil, Harry, and more — HCX was one of the first places I visited when I moved to NYC, and honestly, it changed me. I've learned so much about my own culture and the history of Haitians in New York through them. You can never learn enough from this place.
They host music showcases, weekly artist residencies, conversations around Haitian migration, movie nights, arts & crafts events, and so much more. Some of my favorites: the Holiday Haitian Bazaar, the Haitian Film Festival, the weekly jazz residency, and the Lakou Nou residency — where artists receive up to $7,000 to bring a project to life. If you're Haitian-American looking to reconnect with your roots, or Haitian and looking for community in Fort Greene — HCX is that spot.
MoCADA — Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts
Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Free The Land Exhibition at the MoCADA (Artist Tabi Bonney & Yussef Agbo-Ola ) Captured by Blakawout
Founded in 1999 by Laurie Angela Cumbo — who went on to serve as NYC's Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, overseeing arts funding for the entire city — and now led by Executive Director and Chief Curator Amy Andrieux. The lineage of this institution alone tells you something.
The space itself is stunning — high walls, breathtaking exhibitions, and a layout that completely transforms depending on what's showing. Right now they have the Shani Crowe exhibit Red, Black & Green, and it is not one to miss. Paying tribute to the Pan-African flag, Shani uses textured hair, beading, yarn tapestry, and photographic portraiture to expand what that tri-colored symbol means — and who it belongs to. The dedication and artistry in this exhibition is something you have to experience in person.
MoCADA also hosts in-person workshops, artist conversations, and public programs year-round. They also have a café serving drinks and pastries from across the diaspora — and if you're a vendor, there are opportunities to contribute there too.
It's right near HCX, so plan a double visit.
Stay connected with events like these using our eventboard
Kafou Gallery
Flatbush, Brooklyn
Stephanie Pierre at Kafou Gallery x Roots to Routes Captured by Blakawout
Kafou Gallery is led by Stephanie Pierre — a first-generation Haitian-American community organizer, artist, and researcher born and raised in Brooklyn. If you know her work, you know the depth she brings to everything she touches. Her project Roots & Routes — which traces key moments in the history of Brooklyn's Haitian community, particularly in East Flatbush — is such a meaningful piece of community storytelling. The project began as a digital map to help East Flatbush residents navigate their neighborhood with deeper appreciation, and became a full information system housing the history of Haitian social action movements in the borough, which was made possible through the art residency held by HCX mentioned above. Isn’t that amazing!
Now she has her own space — Kafou Gallery — where she can bring that same intention to the walls. The gallery is also bookable for your own events, which I love, because not everyone knows that's an option. I'm adding this to the list specifically so you do. Keep them on your radar. You can book send her booking inquiries through the Neighborhood platform as well! Just visit her page below!
Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI)
East Harlem, Manhattan
BYENVENI Exhibition at CCCADI with Laurena Fineus, Tania Gaubert, Yvena Despagne & Steven Baboun
Captured by Blakawout
CCCADI is one of the only cultural centers in NYC fully dedicated to Caribbean and African diasporic culture — and they're celebrating 50 years this April 30th. That alone is worth showing up for.
Founded in 1976 by Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, an Afro-Puerto Rican scholar, activist, and institution builder, and now led by Executive Director Melody Capote and Deputy Director Sabine Blaizin — this place has been holding it down for five decades.
They’re known for bringing together visual art exhibitions, artist talks, film screenings, performances, community conversations, and cultural workshops that center the richness and complexity of the diaspora. It’s not just a gallery — it’s a living, breathing cultural hub.
This is where I first discovered the work of Laurena Fienus, Tania Balan-Gaubert , and curator Yvena Despagne through their BYENVENI exhibition, and I keep seeing their reach of that work across the city to this day.
For their 50th anniversary, they are collaborating with Know Your Caribbean , which is curating the milestone exhibition opening April 30th. Expect a dynamic lineup of programming tied to the exhibition — from opening night celebrations to panels, performances, and more.
Don’t miss it. I’ll also keep you posted through our event alerts as well!
These four spaces aren't just galleries — they're a piece of history. They preserve culture, make room for artists, and give communities somewhere to gather. Add them to your collection.
For more Black-owned businesses and cultural spaces in NYC, visit The Neighborhood at blakawout.community/neighborhood.
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