The NAACP, VistaPrint, and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation announced the second cohort of recipients from the Power Forward Small Business Grant. This shared commitment of $1 million was designed to create a lasting impact through the economic empowerment of Black-owned small businesses across New England. Featuring grants of $25,000 and the opportunity to be featured on national co-branded platforms, recipients also receive design and marketing assistance customized to their specific needs.

The second group of grant recipients consists of 13 small businesses from the Boston metropolitan area, Western Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut representing a variety of industries including health and wellness, fashion, food service, journalism, and consulting, among others. Recipients of the Power Forward Small Business Grant were notified with a mix of surprise in-person and virtual visits from Celtics players Aaron Nesmith and Grant Williams; Head Coach, Ime Udoka, President of Basketball Operations, Brad Stevens; Cedric Maxwell; Director of Community Engagement, Kash Cannon; and the team’s mascot, Lucky.

Applications for the Power Forward Small Business Grant will be administered by the NAACP in partnership with Hello Alice, a platform for small business owners to identify the right path to start and grow their company. Applications for the financial grants opened in February 2021 and will remain open until all funds have been disbursed. Applicants selected to receive grant funding will be announced on a rolling basis. All applications must be submitted through Hello Alice at this link.

And, the winners are...

● Keith Chaney, City Sealcoating Inc. (Lawrence, MA)
City Sealcoating is a company that specializes in all kinds of asphalt maintenance and asphalt
construction. Services include seal coating, line striping, crack sealing, paving, and snow plowing.
● Shironda White, Cupcake Therapy (Boston, MA)
Cupcake Therapy is a tree nut-free and peanut-free cupcakery that bakes made-to-order cupcakes.
● Alfred Enchill, Elegant Stitches Inc. (Pittsfield, MA)
Elegant Stitches is a family-owned custom embroidery and screen-printing company that supplies
branded apparel and promotional products for public and private sector employees, teams, and
community groups.
● Ronnette A. Taylor-Lawrence, Firecode Design LLC (Roxbury, MA)
Firecode Design offers Fire protection installation and inspection services such as fire sprinklers,
fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and first suppressants. They are a one-stop-shop when it comes to
fire safety.
● Priscilla Edwards, The Glow Cafe & Juice Bar (Providence, RI)
The Glow Cafe & Juice Bar is a plant-based cafe, juice bar & smoothie shop that specializes in
wellness-centered superfoods.
● Alisa Primavera, In Shape Incentive (Norwood, MA)
In Shape Incentive provides a wide range of training, fitness, and nutritional services.
● Moses Karugu, Oasis Transport Inc. (Lynn, MA)
Oasis Transport is a warehouse and logistics company providing trucking, van courier, and storage
services.
● Kashawna Harling, Paws & Purrfection Company (Malden, MA)
Paws & Purrfection Company provides essential pet supplies and delivery to the local
community.
● Esther Wallace, Playa Society (Dorchester Center, MA)
Playa Society is a sport-inspired streetwear brand that prioritizes women and promotes both
gender equality and social justice.
● Joseph Charles, Rock City Pizza, Inc (Allston, MA)
Rock City Pizza is a quick-service pizzeria that offers a wide variety of take-out food.
● Shana Bryant, Shana Bryant Consulting (Dorchester, MA)
Shana Bryant Consulting works with small businesses and nonprofits to create memorable
moments through education training and curated experiences.
● Danielle Johnson, Spark FM Online, LLC (Hyde Park, MA)
Spark FM Online is a digital radio platform that was created to empower and amplify the
underserved voices of the community.
● Tira McNeil, SweeTy’s Treats LLC (New Haven, CT)
SweeTy’s Treats is the neighborhood bakery that supplies the tastiest cupcakes, brownies,
cheesecake cups, and custom cakes for weddings, baby showers, gender reveals, bridal showers,
birthday parties, and more.