Kadeem Roberts

Connecticut was home to several notable moments in Black history. The Canterbury Female Boarding School was the first boarding school for young Black girls in the country. Abolitionist John Brown was born in Torrington. The 29th Colored Regiment, an all-Black regiment based out of Fair Haven during the Civil War, was one of the first units to enter Richmond, Virginia after it was abandoned by the Confederate Army. Click here to read more about Black history in our state.

Thanks to the tireless work of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus and other colleagues in the General Assembly in 2019, Connecticut became the first state to require public schools to include Black and Latino history in their curriculums. Black history is American history, and this law ensures that the stories and triumphs of Black Americans will be taught throughout the school year. 

I encourage you to take some time to celebrate and learn more about Black history, locally and throughout America. Connecticut is home to several organizations that honor and celebrate the Black experience, such as the Amistad Center for Art & Culture in Hartford, and the Ruby and Calvin Fletcher African American Museum in Stratford.
 
Click here to find more places that honor and support Black history and culture in our state.

Click here to read more about the event.

Click here to watch the ceremony. 

Tax Season is quickly approaching. If you need help filing, Norwalk is offering a program to provide assistance:

The City of Norwalk announced that it has teamed up with SimplifyCT and kicked off its annual no-cost, full-service Volunteer Tax Assistance Program. Through IRS-certified volunteers, Norwalk is offering in-person and virtual tax return preparation services at several locations in Norwalk through April 15, 2024. These services are being offered in English and Spanish on Tuesdays through Saturdays. This program is the nation’s largest, free, volunteer-run tax assistance service and is available to all individuals regardless of income or age.

Below is SimplifyCT’s weekly in-person schedule in Norwalk. Appointments are required and can be made by calling the phone numbers below.

• Tuesdays from 1:30 pm – 7:00 pm
  •  Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Avenue
  •  You can make an appointment by calling 860-590-8910  
• Wednesdays from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • South Norwalk Library, 10 Washington Street
  •  You can make an appointment by calling 203-899-2790
•  Thursdays from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Norwalk Library, 1 Belden Avenue
  • You can make an appointment by calling 203-899-2780
•  Fridays from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Norwalk Senior Center, 11 Allen Road
  • You can make an appointment by calling 203-847-3115
• Saturdays from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Norwalk Library, 1 Belden Avenue and South Norwalk Library, 10 Washington Street
  • You can make an appointment by calling 203-899-2780 for the Norwalk Library and 203- 899-2790 for the South Norwalk Library