Boston Ujima Project is a community controlled engine for economic revitalization directed by those most marginalized in the current system, working intentionally to channel impact investing to community-owned businesses—and to connect those businesses to the anchor procurement opportunities that can help them thrive. For instance, HAN member Boston Children’s Hospital is procuring food fromFresh Food Generation, a small woman and minority owned business with the mission to improve access to healthy food for Boston’s low-income and minority populations. The business received one of Ujima’s zero-interest loans to five black- and immigrant-owned businesses as part of its work to promote a democratically controlled economy in the city.
“[Fresh Food Generation co-founder] Campbell also pointed to Ujima’s efforts to build relationships between small businesses like hers and large institutions like Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH). Thanks to Ujima staff facilitating meetings with the procurement department at BCH, Fresh Food Generation got its first order from the hospital — 130 boxed lunches — in April. According to Campbell’s co-founder, Jackson Renshaw, in two years the relationship with BCH could be worth more than $100,000 in annual revenue.”
Read the HuffPo article now.