Albuquerque is full of diversity, and supporting each community within the city is crucial to celebrating its cultural vitality and creating an environment where all cultures thrive here.
We’ve put together a guide to make it easy to find what to eat, what to see, and where to go in Albuquerque to support Black entrepreneurs, organizations and artists while you’re in the Duke City.
Morning
Learn about the city as a whole with ABQ Trolley Co.
Image Source: ABQ Trolley Co.
Take a tour of Albuquerque and learn about the city as a whole, including its history and cultural connections - all while supporting a Black-owned tour company.
Join ABQ Trolley Co. on their Best of ABQ City Tour, where you’ll experience the culture, food, art and people of Albuquerque while aboard a fun, uniquely-Albuquerque, open-air trolley. Their season opens again in the spring of 2024.
Afternoon
Enjoy a craft beer and Albuquerque’s take on soul food
Image Source: Nexus Brewery and Restaurant
After you get to know the city a little better with ABQ Trolley Co., head to Nexus Brewery and Restaurant for a taste of Albuquerque’s acclaimed craft brewing scene and some of the city’s favorite soul food.
Nexus refers to their food as “New Mexican soul food.” Here, you’ll find menu items such as southern fried chicken and waffles, and New Orleans style gumbo. The delicious food in combination with their craft beer, leads to the brewery’s name - a Nexus (Latin for connection) of two great things.
Celebrate and experience Black art around Albuquerque
Image: Doris Fields, "Miss Nellie Them" | Image Source: NMHC and NMAAAG
Once you’re full from lunch, head out to enjoy some of Albuquerque’s Black artwork. The New Mexico African American Artists' Guild is a great place to go to find current art exhibitions and art-focused events featuring Black artists in New Mexico.
Visit the African American Performing Arts Center, where the exhibition hall hosts historic pieces and gallery shows for the public to view.
Evening/Night
Have Dinner at Mr. Powdrell’s BBQ
Image Source: Mr. Powdrell's BBQ
Mr. Powdrell’s Barbeque House is a must-visit on any tour of Albuquerque’s soul. Featuring hearty, home-cooked food, you’ll discover true hospitality at Powdrell’s BBQ, where they have a long history of making delicious food.
According to Mr. Powdrell’s website, “During the beginning of the 19th Century, the legacy began near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was there that Mr. Isaac Britt, the grandfather of Mr. Pete Powdrell, would give birth to both a culinary recipe for a tangy barbecue sauce and a natural technique for slow-smoking meats over an open pit fired by pure hickory wood. It would be in the 1940s that the baton of this legacy would be passed on to Pete Powdrell. The legacy travelled from Louisiana to East Texas where he started his family, and ended up in Albuquerque, NM, and Pete, his life and business partner Catherine, and their eleven children would follow the tradition of family, and employ this recipe for goodness wherever they went.”
Enjoy and Support Albuquerque’s Black Performing Arts
Image Source: Rodney Bowe
After dinner, head out to hear a local African American musician, poet, or others in Albuquerque’s performing arts scene.
One of Albuquerque’s favorite local musicians, Rodney Bowe performs all over Albuquerque, often at Canvas Artistry.
Another local ABQ performance artist you don’t want to miss is Hakim Bellamy, the Inaugural Poet Laureate of Albuquerque. Hakim is a national and regional Poetry Slam Champion and holds three consecutive collegiate poetry slam titles at the University of New Mexico. His poetry has been published on the Albuquerque Convention Center, on the outside of a library, in inner-city buses and in numerous anthologies across the globe. Check out some of his poetry and find out where you can see him live at beyondpoetryink.com.
Stop for Dessert at Rude Boy Cookies
Image Source: Rude Boy Cookies
Stop for dessert at Rude Boy Cookies - Black-owned and offering way more than just your basic cookies. The specialty cookie shop features fresh, delicious dessert with an atmosphere to be beat. You’ll hear ska and reggae music playing daily and mod 50s/60s ska decor at the shop.
If you’re curious about the name of the cookie shop - the “Rude Boy” portion of the shop’s name is rooted in ska history and a love of ska music. Rude boy, rudeboy, rudie, rudi, and rudy are slang terms that originated in 1960s Jamaican street culture, and that are still used today. In the late 1970s, the 2 Tone ska revival in England saw the terms rude boy and rude girl, among other variations, being used to describe fans of that genre.
Attend A Curated Event by the Syndicate
The Syndicate ABQ / Alayna Bowman Photography
The Syndicate curates events that celebrate the Black experience, queer voices and culture creators. Add one of the Syndicate's events to your itinerary - whether it's a poetry event or a game night, the Syndicate's events elevate and support diversity in ABQ. Check TheSyndicateABQ.com for the latest events.
Take Something Home with You
Ayanna Denise Skin
Image Source: Leela's Body Cocktails
Check out Ayanna Denise Skin for a truly unique ABQ takeaway. Ayanna Denise is the founder, and is committed to using plant-based, complexion inclusive products and treatments for skin, body and health. Pick up an item from her all natural skincare line, and shop from home too, at ayannadenise.com.
Q’s Cakes and Sweets Boutique
Image Source: Q's Cakes
Take a sweet treat with you from Q’s Cakes. Whether you’re in the mood for a chocolate covered Oreo, a specialty brownie, pie, a sweet bar, or cupcakes, Q’s has what you want.
