Several Boston-based businesses will be uplifted through Jaylen Brown’s $5 billion commitment to generate new wealth for underrepresented communities.

As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the Boston Celtics star launched nonprofit Boston XChange (BXC) in August 2024. This followed his signing of a five-year NBA supermax contract extension with the team in July 2023 worth $304 million.

BXC exists to support underinvested entrepreneurs and creators through professional coaching, access to capital, tools, and workplaces. 

“It was hard for businesses of color to get started in the city,” Brown told AFROTECH™ in a previous interview. “All of these different things are all types of hegemony that you just notice that goes on in the city. So, in response to that, I launched an initiative there, trying to help balance and even that out, to give opportunities and resources to our community, allowing me to be in these places that they’ve been shut out of over time, through the build-up or operations of the system. That was kind of the driving motivation.”

BXC has aligned with several partners in a mission to create “an economy where our national network of underinvested creators thrive, driving a dynamic and inclusive economic landscape.” Partners include Jrue and Lauren Holiday’s JLH Social Impact Fund, MIT Entrepreneurship Centers, Harvard Business School, and Roxbury Community College, among others.

Together, they are officially launching The Boston Creator Incubator & Accelerator, which will provide up to $100,000 in grant funding, $150,000 for business services, work spaces, and three years of coaching and resources to help recipients ideate and launch projects across the design, arts, media, entertainment, fashion, and culinary industries, according to information shared with AFROTECH™.

The 2024 recipients can be viewed below.

1. Everybody Gotta Eat

2. Future Masters Chess Academy

3. The Little Cocoa Bean Company

4. Pioneers Apparel/PYNRS Performance Streetwear

5. Rivet App

6. Dorchester Art Project

7. Anawan Studios

8. Crown Legends

9.Uvida Shop

10. Melanin Haircare

For those interested in joining Boston XChange’s cohort, applications can be completed on its website. Note, recipients will be added annually.