Press, 07/25/2023

Maine Public

The rise in Black-owned businesses in Maine and how to support them

Attention to social justice for Black Americans grew in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. While some people took to the streets and joined protests, others focused on supporting Black-owned businesses. In Maine, this spirit fueled the formation of Black Owned Maine, which promotes Black business owners and their products and services. We talk with some of these entrepreneurs—and what it means to support their work. This show is part of our yearlong series on the changing face of Maine.

07/24/2023

Strategic Plan

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PRIORITIES To achieve our vision of success, the following five priorities and key strategies will guide the organization’s focus: Supporting Black-owned businesses in Maine by aligning programming to enable Black businesses to thrive.Strategic Priority #1 focuses on improving Black business…
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07/18/2023

Sea Dogs x BOM - Nine Program

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Join the Portland Sea Dogs and Black Owned Maine for The Nine Day on July 23rd at 1:00 PM. A portion of proceeds purchased through this link will benefit Black Owned Maine. The day includes highlighting local Black businesses and…
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11/28/2022

Help BOM Raise $250k

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Good evening, Tomorrow marks Black Owned Maine’s 3rd Giving Tuesday and what makes for BOM’s 2.5-year anniversary. What started as a project in June 2020 has turned into a life-changing endeavor. We are in deep gratitude for the support of…
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11/28/2022, BOM Through Time

BOM Appoints New Board

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Thank you to everyone that applied for the Black Owned Maine Board of Directors. We are pleased to announce that four new directors have joined us. Check out our Staff + Board page for more info.
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10/19/2022

Request for Submissions: Amjambo Africa x BOM Gift Guide

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We have teamed up again with Amjambo Africa! to curate a 2022 Black-owned holiday gift guide. We welcome all product-based businesses to apply with a limited section available for service-based businesses that sell gift cards. Deadline to submit is Monday, October…
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07/26/2022

Bear the Torch - Fundraiser

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Bowdoin Cross Country and Track and Field are teaming up with Black Owned Maine to 'Bear the Torch'! This match-per-mile fundraising event will occur July 28th through August 4th. Through work centered on business education, marketing, and community building Black Owned Maine (BOM) aims to…
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Episode 4 - Grant Writing for For-Profit Businesses: Genius Black and Rose Barboza discuss applicable skills and knowledge for grant writing. Based on feedback from the first One Maine Group pilot cohort, they are offering basic, technical grant-writing advice and specific sources for For-Profit grants in Maine. They cover the general approach to writing a grant, how to understand the application process, and the importance of clarity - over 'fanciness'. They dig into the need to communicate both emotionally and qualitatively. Then they focus on state-oriented grants and outline a series of grant-giving organizations throughout Maine. They cover the Maine DECD, MTI, CEI, and some of the funds coming into Maine to support after COVID-19 have negatively impacted many businesses.
Black Owned Maine Podcast

One Maine Group: The Resources

Episode 2A - Resources - Finding Resources and Becoming a Resource (Part A): Genius Black and Martha Bentley (Director of Economic Development at Maine Department of Economic and Community Development) discuss ways to demystify business resources, how Martha thinks about systems change, opportunities, and the responsibility to create new connections in the social change ecosystem - "loosening the roots" as we call it. They explore the roles entrepreneurs need to occupy for each other, encouraging up-and-coming businesses to practice taking risks. Follow Martha on Twitter.  Episode 2B - Resources - Finding Resources and Becoming a Resource (Part B): Genius Black and Sherry Butler discuss how giving exposure to Black-owned businesses around the Dallas - Fort Worth area was Sherry’s initial goal. Now she is the administrator of a large Facebook group called “Black Owned Businesses around DFW,” and actively curates the experience and promotions within the group. They discuss how Sherry utilized her local "Pan-African Connection," and the local SBA who is exploring diversity. Sherry encourages entrepreneurs to trust their intuition to guide them. She also exposed ‘front’ businesses who falsely appeal to African Americans, as if they are ‘Black’ owned. The trickery is real. 
Black Owned Maine Podcast

One Maine Group: The Mindset

Episode 1 - The Mindset: Genius Black and Gimbala Sankare discuss the mindset needed to be a successful entrepreneur. They talk about Fintech, and the need to demystify financial planning, the current status of the American Dream, and explore a problem-solving mental 'circuit jump'. And we learn about Gimbala's beginnings in Ghana, and how that translated to the Bronx, USA! Gain perspective, inspiration, and knowledge about an effective mindset. (Since this recording, Gimbala has accepted a position as Head of Talent Acquisition for the National Basketball Association {NBA} )