Black-owned businesses | Culture & Community | Economic Development | Milford | Arts & Culture | Yoga | Arts & Anti-racism
Danielle Campbell Photos.
Just off Naugatuck Avenue, a chorus of calming breaths filled the air, whispering beneath the soft pitter-patter of rain outside. From sun salutations and downward-facing dogs, attendees moved into child’s pose. Half the class flowed with expert softness; some students peeked at the instructor to be sure they had the pose correct. All released the stress of the week.
That was just one of the moments fêting the one-year anniversary of Peace of Royalty, a Black-owned, woman-owned wellness hub and yoga studio on Naugatuck Avenue in Milford. Last Sunday, owner Vernatha Montoute held a celebration of the space, which opened last September with a ribbon cutting and day of activities in Milford. In the months since, she’s been able to grow her course offerings and staff roster, with both weekly and one-on-one classes.
“I don't think it's quite sunk in as of yet,” Montoute said between wellness-focused activities. “You know, this is like, ‘Okay, girl, this could have gone either way.’ You know what I mean? But I am so grateful. So so grateful and just to be in this position to have the space and people like those who came here today to remind me that what I'm doing is so important and so crucial for the community.”
Even before the festivities started, laughter bubbled and boomed across the space, embedded in conversations and fond hellos. Buzzing around the studio, Montoute and instructors Tonisha Cohen-King and Neileauna Medley collected ideas from attendees on the kinds of classes they wanted to see in the future, from partner yoga to chair yoga. A year in, they explained that they are always trying to grow out their offerings to serve the community.
Coming from Norwalk, Erika Sanchez brought her friend Amber Dee to experience the space for the first time. Earlier this year, she met Montoute at Yoga in Our City, which popped up across the state during the summer months. Her experience with Montoute there made a lasting impression—and convinced her to get involved with the wider Peace of Royalty family.
“She's so memorable,” Sanchez said. “I was just telling her like, I've been to so many other classes, sessions, teachers, and like, I still remember her, and I still miss her. So, when I found out about this, I just wanted to come out and support.”
She was far from the only one who did; praise for Montoute and the space she has created, especially for Black and Brown women, echoed across the building throughout the day. It was there from the flavorful vegan goodies by Shakeema Romero, owner of the Bridgeport-based business Suga & Spice Me to a singing bowl sound bath that left the room in temporary, stilled and blissful silence.
As the demonstrations ended, attendees called on each other to express their love and gratitude for Montoute and the space she has created, especially for Black women.
Karian Gordon and Lydia Douglas.
“This is your celebration. Okay? So, allow us to pour into you,” said Karian Gordon. “All right. So, I'm proud of you. We all are proud of you. You have a beautiful space, a beautiful business, a beautiful everything. Okay. And you allow this space to be open to so many. And I think I could speak for everyone when I say that this is a genuine safe space. Right? And we thank you.”
Gordon, who has in the past year sponsored classes at the studio, later won a raffle for five free yoga sessions. “I deserve this,” she said through a wide smile.
“Vern has helped me find an amazing community after coming back to Connecticut after years of being away. Her space is so welcoming and filled with love,” said Jacqueline Donn.
“Vern is a beautiful soul. She has created a space where we can come together and be free! Free to try, free to push ourselves, and free to support each other,” said Monica Conliffe, who was there with younger sister Iyanna Peters and mother Donna Peters. Both wished Montoute blessings for the future and a happy one-year anniversary.
Filmmaker Lydia Douglas attends classes in the space and said that she appreciates that it is Black-owned, Black-taught, and Black-focused. Yves-Marie Morrissey felt like the day alone was empowering and reaffirmed the importance of self-care.
Now, Montoute said, she is focusing on the year ahead. As a Black business owner in Milford, she said she has faced prejudice from some of her neighbors, and questioned whether Peace of Royalty can thrive as a safe space in a town that still struggles with a lack of diversity. At one point, she said, she even looked for another home for the business. Then she doubled down on her mission.
“That's how hurt and disappointed I was,” she recalled of briefly looking for another space. “But one thing I know for sure is that my faith in what I do is greater than anybody that tried to come at me. And I just had to make the decision to say, ‘Forget that, like, forget y'all.’ Y'all not gonna make me uncomfortable. You're about to be uncomfortable here because I deserve to be in this space period.”
“I'm here for the people that need me, not for the people that don't,” she added. “You know what I mean? And that's it.”