Natick businesses receive special funding
Two black-owned businesses in the town of Natick have received grants from the Power Forward Small Business Grant program.
This grant program is made possible by a collaboration between Vistaprint, the NAACP, and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation. It is a commitment of a total of $1m between the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation and Vistaprint partnering with the NAACP, whose goal is to demonstrate the impact of small businesses owned by black people across New England. Each grant is in the amount of $25,000 and also provides the business with design and marketing assistance to help the business thrive and grow, as well as being featured on national co-branded platforms.
One of the recipients from Natick is Salimata Bangoura, owner of Yamacu, which is a West African fusion beverage company that offers locally made fresh ginger drinks. The other Natick recipient is Kristen L. Pope of Pope Productions, Inc. which provides a full-scale experience for all storytelling needs that includes writing, editing, videography, and production for short-form storytelling. Businesses like these can use funding for the hiring of local print shops to create marketing and other materials to help promote their businesses.
Brad Stevens, President of Basketball Operations for the Celtics; Tacko Fall, a center for the Celtics; and Lucky, the team’s mascot, paid a virtual visit to each of the recipients to notify them of their award.
This grant program is made possible by a collaboration between Vistaprint, the NAACP, and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation. It is a commitment of a total of $1m between the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation and Vistaprint partnering with the NAACP, whose goal is to demonstrate the impact of small businesses owned by black people across New England. Each grant is in the amount of $25,000 and also provides the business with design and marketing assistance to help the business thrive and grow, as well as being featured on national co-branded platforms.
One of the recipients from Natick is Salimata Bangoura, owner of Yamacu, which is a West African fusion beverage company that offers locally made fresh ginger drinks. The other Natick recipient is Kristen L. Pope of Pope Productions, Inc. which provides a full-scale experience for all storytelling needs that includes writing, editing, videography, and production for short-form storytelling. Businesses like these can use funding for the hiring of local print shops to create marketing and other materials to help promote their businesses.
Brad Stevens, President of Basketball Operations for the Celtics; Tacko Fall, a center for the Celtics; and Lucky, the team’s mascot, paid a virtual visit to each of the recipients to notify them of their award.