OUR STORY
THE HEART OF BLACK BOSTON
Long before it bore its current name, the intersection of Dudley Street and Washington Street was already the pulse of a community. For over a century, the square that is today known as Nubian Square served as Boston's "other downtown" — a vibrant commercial and cultural hub where streetcars converged, families shopped, and neighbors gathered.
By the early twentieth century, as Boston's African American community migrated from Beacon Hill and the South End, Roxbury became the undisputed center of Black life in the city. The neighborhood gave rise to artists, activists, and entrepreneurs who shaped not just Boston, but the nation. It is the birthplace of New Edition, the home of Malcolm X's formative years, and the ground from which Boston's civil rights movement grew.
.jpg)
The name Nubian Square recalls the ancient Nubian Empire — one of Africa's earliest civilizations.
DECEMBER 19, 2019 - A NEW NAME
In 2019, Boston officially renamed Dudley Square to Nubian Square to honor African heritage and reclaim the neighborhood’s cultural identity. Led by the Nubian Square Coalition and longtime local businesses like A Nubian Notion, the change symbolized the community’s commitment to preserving its history, resisting displacement, and celebrating Black culture in the heart of Roxbury.
THE VISION TAKES ROOT
The dream of Jazz Urbane Cafe was born in the mind of Bill Banfield, a composer and professor at Berklee College of Music with deep roots in the Boston music community. His vision was singular: a world-class arts and dining venue that would spotlight local and national artists who define and celebrate the diverse cultural traditions that make Boston a unique and global city.
The all-Black founding team, including Nia Grace — born and raised in Roxbury — brought an intimate understanding of what the neighborhood needed and deserved.
A café born from a neighborhood's resilience.
A stage built for its artists.
A table set for its community.
This is how Jazz Urbane came to be.
