Economy Builders

Founded by Boston native Maria McKnight in 2018, 2 Birds No Stones offers sensory and holistic play services designed to foster healing, creativity, and connection in underserved communities. Maria’s work combines art and nature, creating custom resin art pieces from natural materials and offering sensory play experiences for adults and children. Her innovative installations, such as Gratitude Trees and fairy gardens, transform green spaces into places of joy and reflection, providing safe, calming environments for families to gather and heal. Inspired by her own child’s journey with anxiety, Maria channels her passion for nature and cultural heritage into memorable experiences that promote wellness and community connection.

Ama at The Atlas is the newest restaurant from Pearl & Law Hospitality, a hospitality group founded by Biplaw Rai and Nyacko Pearl Perry. Pearl & Law Hospitality is also the home of Comfort Kitchen, named “Best New Restaurant” by Boston Magazine and The Boston Globe, one of the top 50 in the country by The New York Times, and nominated for Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation.

The Bay State Banner is an African American owned news weekly that reports on the political, economic, social and cultural issues that are of interest to African American and English speaking Latinos in Boston and throughout New England.

Founded by Joyce Clark, the Birthing Heirs Project is dedicated to supporting Black and Brown families in Boston through doula services, lactation education, and community-driven health initiatives. Joyce’s vision centers on ensuring families and children are treated with respect and dignity, empowering them to reach their fullest potential. Joyce Clark is a lifelong Boston resident and a passionate advocate for health equity. As a doula since 1998, she was inspired by her own birthing experiences and trained at the Cambridge Birth Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is also a lactation educator with Vital Village, combining her expertise to provide holistic support for families. Beyond her work with the Birthing Heirs Project, Joyce has been deeply involved in health advocacy. She served as the Health Chair for the Boston NAACP, implementing programs to address Alzheimer’s awareness, caregiver self-care, and mental health destigmatization. Her initiatives, such as the "Destigmatizing Mental Health" campaign, brought personal stories and portraits to Boston Public Libraries, fostering community conversations around mental health.

Boston Community Solar Cooperative believes in a future powered by the sun and owned by the community. Their community solar program builds cooperatively-owned solar arrays that are controlled by local communities, resulting in both financial benefits and clean electricity kept close to home. Since 2021, the cooperative began and continues to build a coalition of individuals, businesses, and non-profits: a grassroots movement to create an equitable and just transition to a clean energy economy in Boston. After formally launching as a co-op in 2024, BCSC worked with partners to begin its first solar array on the rooftop of 195 Bowdoin Street in Dorchester, home to the Dorchester Food Co-op.

As a creative firm specializing in innovative solutions for businesses and the entertainment industry, Boston Innovation Outlet brings a fresh perspective to traditional models, transforming the ordinary into impactful and memorable results. With a focus on video production, events and engagements, and creative concept development, Boston Innovation Outlet helps clients stand out in competitive markets. Guided by a philosophy centered on finding and creating tailored solutions for success, they exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence that align with UGBA’s mission of supporting socially impactful businesses.

Boston Neighborhood Community Land Trust works to combat displacement and racial injustice by creating permanently affordable, community-controlled housing in the Boston area, with a specific geographic focus on Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan. BNCLT builds neighborhood stability, housing equity, and community strength among low- and moderate-income residents most at risk of displacement; and through the collective strength of partners working toward a shared, equitable, and just future.

Boston While Black is a dynamic network of professionals, creatives, community and business leaders, and some of the city’s largest employers—all united by a shared vision: where everyone can find connection, grow their network, explore what the city has to offer, and have fun doing it. They connect through a members only digital platform to build community, connection, discovery, and support. Their goal is to ensure that every corner of the city feels like a place where you belong and can show up fully as yourself.

CERO (Cooperative Energy, Recycling, and Organics) is an award-winning commercial composting company based out of Dorchester, Massachusetts. CERO provides food waste diversion and pickup services for a wide range of commercial clients in the metro Boston area. In December 2019, CERO was approved for a 100,000 loan from the Ujima Fund.

Comfort Kitchen will be a cafe by day and a restaurant by night, celebrating the flavors and ingredients of the African diaspora — global comfort food — connected from Asia to the Americas. We are a Black-owned, immigrant-owned, and woman-owned business.

CommonWealth Kitchen is on a mission to transform the local food economy by strengthening capacity, creating connections, and unleashing the collective power of diverse entrepreneurs to start and grow successful food businesses.

Cupcake Therapy was founded by a foodie with a lot of allergies. They are a tree nut-free and peanut-free cupcakery that bakes made-to-order cupcakes. They bake with premium ingredients, organic when possible, and many of our cupcakes can be made dairy-free/vegan. They use oat milk in our recipes, which is dairy-free, soy-free, and nut-free. Their goal: to make the best-tasting desserts that almost anyone can enjoy, regardless of dietary restrictions.

The Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative's (DSNI) mission is to empower Dudley residents to organize, plan for, create and control a vibrant, diverse and high-quality neighborhood in collaboration with community partners.

DVM Housing Partners (DVM) is a Boston-based, women-of-color-owned firm focused on creating and preserving income-restricted housing. With over 20 years of expertise, DVM provides real estate development and affirmative fair housing marketing services, emphasizing a community-centered approach. DVM prioritizes people—residents, clients, and staff—through care, respect, and collaboration, helping clients achieve meaningful physical, financial, and social outcomes. Its work is rooted in multi-family real estate development, property management, community engagement, and resident services programming. Founded by lifelong Boston resident Dariela Villón-Maga, DVM reflects her passion for affordable housing shaped by personal experiences with housing instability. As a certified Women/Minority Business Enterprise (W/MBE), DVM uplifts communities by centering their voices and needs in every project.

District 7 Tavern is a historic neighborhood bar, pool hall, and juke joint located in Roxbury. Known for its friendly atmosphere, live music, and bar games, it’s the perfect spot to relax and unwind. With its rich history and welcoming vibe, they invite guests to stop by for a drink and enjoy the charm of this local gem.

As a worker-owned cooperative, Dorchester Art Project empowers its members by granting decision-making power, profit distribution, and alignment with community needs. This model fosters resilience, collaboration, and collective action, extending its impact beyond the workplace. At DAP, every worker has a path to ownership, ensuring equitable participation through one vote per owner. Owners share in profits, strengthen community financial power, and can propose changes or improvements to enhance the organization. Policies ensure ownership remains rooted locally, keeping DAP aligned with its mission and values. Guided by the Seven Cooperative Principles—voluntary membership, democratic control, economic participation, autonomy, education, cooperation among cooperatives, and community concern—DAP promotes a sustainable cooperative economy and community development.

The Dorchester Food Co-op is a grassroots initiative to build a community & worker-owned grocery store that makes healthy food accessible and advances economic opportunity through neighborhood engagement. In March 2022, Dorchester Food Cooperative was approved for a start-up loan of $25,000 from the Ujima Fund.

Eastie Farm is dedicated to pursuing climate justice, improving food access, and fostering community resilience through the development of interactive urban agricultural spaces and environmental education programs in which residents of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to learn and take part in the production of healthy, locally-grown, and culturally relevant foods.

Fabwright Origins combines precision CNC technology with traditional woodworking to create custom cabinetry, built-ins, and tailored solutions that bring durability, beauty, and function to residential and commercial spaces.

Foxglove Terrace—slated to open in April at the Atlas Hotel—will be a rooftop bar with panoramic views of Boston, serving craft cocktails and small plates, offering an additional gathering space that expands the group’s footprint and reach.

Fresh Food Generation is a Caribbean-American farm-to-plate restaurant, food truck, and caterer focused on expanding food justice in Boston.

Hillside Harvest is a Caribbean-American natural condiment brand founded by Kamall Jarrett. Jarrett's vision was to create a brand that would bring the Caribbean flavors of his heritage out of specialty international markets and into mainstream supermarket aisles. Hillside Harvest strives to continue the tradition of introducing people to unique flavors and recipes.

Jazz Urbane Cafe is a new arts and restaurant venture planned to launch soon in Boston’s Nubian Square neighborhood. Jazz Urbane Cafe will be an urban arts venue that spotlights local and national artists. In April 2022, Jazz Urbane Cafe was approved for a 200,000 loan from the Ujima Fund.

Kidogo Productions is an early-stage tech startup with BIG DREAMS for the world's kids. Kidogo Productions offers phenomenal and diverse content for children. Their goal is to connect with and have a positive impact on children from all across the world while affirming Black people and their cultures.

The Kush Groove brand was established in 2011 by Michael Pires & Marcus Johnson-Smith. City streets, all over the world, have seen the growth of the new age urban hippie—young, fresh, and dynamic. The Kush Groove brand is a blend of style and culture, expressed through an urban fashion savvy. Kush Groove produces high-quality lifestyle products inspired by the 420-friendly movement.

Live Like A Local Tours brings visitors out of downtown Boston and into the city's neighborhoods where they'll be exposed to foods from different cultures. They have created a tour where people can explore Boston from a passionate local's perspective. They will guide you through these hidden gems to explore the food, history, and culture of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Jamaica Plain.

Founded by Omowale Moses, MathTalk builds on more than fifty years of math education inspired by his father, Bob Moses, founder of the Algebra Project. Omowale’s journey includes teaching math, working with the Algebra Project, and creating the Young People’s Project. As a father, he now combines his experiences to develop products that inspire families to explore and enjoy math together.

Located on Dudley Street in Roxbury, Nos Casa Cafe is an inviting and intimate restaurant owned by Ana Maria and Joshua Fidalgo.

Ismail Samad and Yusuf Yassin created Nubian Markets to serve as a hub for the people within the Roxbury community. As an experienced zero-waste chef, Ismail hopes to give a platform to the amazing foods and flavors of the African diaspora.

"Park 54" is inspired by the life and service of the men who served in the 54th Regiment - a volunteer infantry comprised of free Black American male soldiers. The regiment was established in Readville, MA, now known as "Hyde Park." Despite the backlash the men received for fighting in a "white man's war," each of them bravely risked their lives for the freedom and betterment of their families, community, and country.

Founded by Jaypix Belmer, a Boston native and graduate of the New England Art Institute, Pixworx LLC uses photography to preserve and celebrate the stories of Black, Queer, and historically excluded communities. With a focus on authentic engagement and visual storytelling, Pixworx aligns with UGBA’s mission to support socially impactful businesses. Pixworx specializes in creating compelling visual narratives, collaborating with visionaries and creators, and developing brand identity through creative projects. Jaypix’s dedication to equity, inclusion, and positive representation enhances UGBA’s efforts to build a solidarity economy.

PureSpark was born out of Founder Nieisha Deed's passion to help others. Through this organization, she strives to bring hope to those who find themselves in a dark place. PureSpark seeks to cultivate the kind of mental wellness culture Nieisha craved when she was severely depressed and suicidal. PureSpark uses social media and our web interface to provide resources and daily coping mechanisms that would otherwise be out of reach for someone who is unfamiliar with the mental wellness system. While open to providing information for everyone, the organization’s focus is on Black women. Mental illness is often stigmatized in the black community, and it is common for black women to put themselves, as well as their mental wellness, last in order to help others.

The word "Shanti" means peace in Sanskrit. Shanti hopes to transport its guests to a more peaceful place with both the ambiance and the cuisine. At Shanti diners will find more than Indian cuisine, where they can also indulge in Bangladeshi style cooking known as Bhuna. All three locations offer a wide variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

SidePresents was founded in 2019 by two creatives, Therlande and Maryln, with a passion for developing, organizing, and producing meaningful events for people to come together and share their creativity with a larger network. Side thoughtfully curates events where individuals can engage in fun and inclusive experiences in Black culture and art.

Spark FM Online is a digital radio platform that was created to empower and amplify the underserved voices of the community. Based in Boston, Ma, our station provides a local and professional platform where DJ’s, personalities, and artists have the unique opportunity to create their own messaging, mixes, and music, while engaging listeners on both the neighborhood and national levels.

Sydney Janey Design is a boutique design agency owned by Sydney Janey. Sydney holds a degree in fine art and art history from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and she has honed her skills further by completing a professional certificate in Graphic Design from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. At SJ Design, we pride ourselves on our distinctive creative voice, offering fresh and clean design solutions that resonate with the modern world. They are a certified (WBE) Woman-owned, (MBE) Minority-owned business with the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Pearl at South Bay is a contemporary seafood grill and raw bar on District Avenue at South Bay. The Pearl is committed to a high quality culinary experience will serve handmade cocktails from a patio-accessible bar.

The Urban Gardener Landscape Service boasts a team of highly skilled, certified landscapers dedicated to excellence. Each team member undergoes extensive training and utilizes top-quality tools to ensure every project—whether pruning, designing, or constructing—meets the highest standards of craftsmanship and durability. Michael Thomas’s dedication to enhancing the aesthetic and ecological appeal of Suffolk and Middlesex Counties has earned recognition from the County Advisory Board. Under his leadership, The Urban Gardener Landscape Service serves as a steward of natural beauty and a pillar of community growth and prosperity.