NAACP, Boston Celtics, And VistaPrint Team Up To Award $25K Grants To Black-Owned Startups
The NAACP, VistaPrint, and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation have announced the second cohort of recipients from the Power Forward Small Business Grant.
The collaboration between the trio and their commitment of $1 million was designed to create a lasting impact through the economic empowerment of Black-owned small businesses across New England.
As well as the grants of $25,000 and the opportunity to be featured on national co-branded platforms, recipients also receive design and marketing assistance customized to their specific needs.
The successful small businesses, chosen from the Boston metropolitan area, Western Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, represent a variety of industries including health and wellness, fashion, foodservice and journalism.
The list of winners are:
Keith Chaney, City Sealcoating Inc. (Lawrence, MA)
City Sealcoating is a company that specializes in all kinds of asphalt maintenance and asphalt
construction. Services include seal coating, line striping, crack sealing, paving, and snow plowing.
Alfred Enchill, Elegant Stitches Inc. (Pittsfield, MA)
Elegant Stitches is a family-owned custom embroidery and screen-printing company that supplies
branded apparel and promotional products for public and private sector employees, teams, and
community groups.
Ronnette A. Taylor-Lawrence, Firecode Design LLC (Roxbury, MA)
Firecode Design offers Fire protection installation and inspection services such as fire sprinklers,
fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and first suppressants. They are a one-stop-shop when it comes to
fire safety.
Priscilla Edwards, The Glow Cafe & Juice Bar (Providence, RI)
The Glow Cafe & Juice Bar is a plant-based cafe, juice bar & smoothie shop that specializes in
wellness-centered superfoods.
Alisa Primavera, In Shape Incentive (Norwood, MA)
In Shape Incentive provides a wide range of training, fitness, and nutritional services.
Moses Karugu, Oasis Transport Inc. (Lynn, MA)
Oasis Transport is a warehouse and logistics company providing trucking, van courier, and storage
services.
Kashawna Harling, Paws & Purrfection Company (Malden, MA)
Paws & Purrfection Company provides essential pet supplies and delivery to the local
community.
Esther Wallace, Playa Society (Dorchester Center, MA)
Playa Society is a sport-inspired streetwear brand that prioritizes women and promotes both
gender equality and social justice.
