
The Boston Celtics‘ Shamrock Foundation has teamed up with the NAACP and VistaPrint to provide financial support for small, Black-owned businesses. According to a report from AfroTech, the three organizations came together to build a fund of $1 million for small, Black-owned business at the start of the decade. Through their efforts, the trio developed the Power Forward Small Business Grant program. As described, the program provides grants of $25,000 to “health and wellness, fashion, food service, journalism, and consulting” businesses across the greater New England area.
Applications for the program reportedly kicked off in early 2021. This week, the second round of grant applicants were notified that they had received a $25,000 grant. This round of grant recipients included Keith Chaney of City Sealcoating Inc., Shironda White of Cupcake Therapy and several others. AfroTech reports that recipients were “notified with a mix of surprise in-person and virtual visits from Celtics players” and staff including Brad Stevens, Ime Udoka and Cedric Maxwell.
The Boston Celtics aren’t done yet. Small, Black-owned businesses are encouraged to continue applying as recipients are notified on a rolling basis.