NECESSARY.SYSTEMS
A MICROPROJECT OF BOSTON UJIMA PROJECT
HOME | ABOUT | PRESS | MAIN SITE | INVESTOR REPORT
PAST REPORTS: 2023 SPRING ◎ 2022 FALL ◎ 2022 SUMMER ◎ 2022 SPRING ◎ 2021 FALL ◎ 2021 SUMMER ◎ 2020 REPORT
INVESTMENT PIPELINE ◎ FINANCIAL DASHBOARD
STANDARDS. COMMUNITIES. VALUES.
There is one crucial body without which our mission would be impossible: our Community Standards Committee (CSC). The CSC is an elected group that ensures our investments align with our values and that plays a key role in developing Ujima’s Good Business Alliance (UGBA). As a steward of Ujima's 36 Good Business Standards, the CSC partners directly with businesses throughout the UGBA application process. They hold businesses accountable and offer support where needed, ensuring that our investments continue to meet our communities’ needs. We invite you to celebrate the contributions of our CSC members, who bring diverse backgrounds in social impact and community power, embodying different dimensions of our ecosystem. Click on the photos below to read interviews with three members of the CSC.
UJIMA LAUNCHES HYPERLOCAL
PROCUREMENT INITIATIVE
As businesses join the UGBA, Ujima will engage in direct procurement of their goods and services. This approach serves as a complement to, and bridge between, Ujima investment and other forms of support offered by Ujima, such as Consumer Organizing, Marketing Support, and Consumer Campaigns. In December 2022, we partnered with Comfort Kitchen to buy holiday boxes, a $5,000 effort, which helped to build community relationships.
Through this effort, we aim to foster a stronger sense of connection between businesses and consumers, while additionally diversifying Ujima’s set of options for business support.
Through this effort, we aim to foster a stronger sense of connection between businesses and consumers, while additionally diversifying Ujima’s set of options for business support.
PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
News and updates from businesses in the Ujima Fund portfolio.
KUSH GROOVE BECOMES
UJIMA FUND PORTFOLIO BUSINESS
![]()
UJIMA FUND PORTFOLIO BUSINESS
On February 10, we announced that we successfully reached quorom on the Kush Groove investment ballot. Read the ballot results breakdown here. Members voted to invest $200,000 in the business’s clothing line.
When asked why they voted for Kush Groove, one voting member stated, "I have been aware of Kush Groove for several years, and have seen the success that they've had, and believe they have a strong community-rooted business which will benefit from growth through capital investment."
Learn more about Kush Groove by listening to co-owner Marcus Johnson Smith chat with host Joel Edwards in our Yours, Mine, Ours Podcast.
When asked why they voted for Kush Groove, one voting member stated, "I have been aware of Kush Groove for several years, and have seen the success that they've had, and believe they have a strong community-rooted business which will benefit from growth through capital investment."
Learn more about Kush Groove by listening to co-owner Marcus Johnson Smith chat with host Joel Edwards in our Yours, Mine, Ours Podcast.
COMFORT KITCHEN BECOMES
UJIMA FUND PORTFOLIO BUSINESS
![]()
UJIMA FUND PORTFOLIO BUSINESS
On March 27, we successfuly reached quorom on our Comfort Kitchen investment ballot, with members approving a $100,000 loan, and $100,000 line of credit to the Dorchester-based restaurant. Ballot results will be uploaded to our Ujima Pipeline Status Page by April 7, 2023.
JAZZ URBANE PASSES
REGULATORY MILESTONE
![]()
REGULATORY MILESTONE
In December 2022, Jazz Urbane recieved approval from the Zoning Board of Appeal for their 200-seat performance space and restaurant.
Recently, Jazz Urbane was mentioned in Boston Globe article on development in Nubian Square.
Building on Ujima’s investment, Jazz Urbane Cafe is at 55% of their fundraising goal. Ujima is planning an investor gathering this year to provide additional updates, and opportunities to invest in Jazz Urbane. Email us if you are interested in being notified about the gathering at comms@ujimaboston.com.
Recently, Jazz Urbane was mentioned in Boston Globe article on development in Nubian Square.
Building on Ujima’s investment, Jazz Urbane Cafe is at 55% of their fundraising goal. Ujima is planning an investor gathering this year to provide additional updates, and opportunities to invest in Jazz Urbane. Email us if you are interested in being notified about the gathering at comms@ujimaboston.com.
CERO COOP’S WORK AT
NORTHEASTERN EXPANDS
![]()
NORTHEASTERN EXPANDS
DORCHESTER FOOD COOP
HIRES GENERAL MANAGER
![]()
HIRES GENERAL MANAGER
In November, DFC announced that they hired
their first general manager, John Santos
.their first general manager, John Santos
BUSINESS ALLIANCE UPDATES
News and updates from businesses in the Ujima Good Business Alliance.
KIDOGO.TV JOINS UGBA
![]()
Kidogo was awarded one of MassChallenge’s inaugural Community Choice Awards. Learn more about Kidogo here.
Kidogo is seeking investment from the Ujima Fund. Kidogo Productions was ratified as a Business We Love in 2022.
Kidogo is seeking investment from the Ujima Fund. Kidogo Productions was ratified as a Business We Love in 2022.
LIVE LIKE A LOCAL JOINS UGBA
![]()
Learn more about Live Like a Local here.
Live Like a Local was ratified as a Business We Love in 2022.
Live Like a Local was ratified as a Business We Love in 2022.
EASTIE FARM JOINS UGBA
![]()
Eastie Farm was featured in the Equation, a publication by the Union of Concerned Scientists, for their efforts in the areas of food, climate and environmental justice.Read Eastie Farm’s interview with Ujima.
Eastie Farm was ratified as a Business We Love in 2022.
Eastie Farm was featured in the Equation, a publication by the Union of Concerned Scientists, for their efforts in the areas of food, climate and environmental justice.Read Eastie Farm’s interview with Ujima.
Eastie Farm was ratified as a Business We Love in 2022.
THE PEARL JOINS UGBA
![]()
The Pearl Seafood Grill and Raw Bar was recently highlighted on Eater’s Where Boston’s Top Chefs Like to Dine Out. Learn more about the Pearl here.
The Pearl is seeking investment from the Ujima Fund. The Pearl was ratified as a Business We Love in 2022.
The Pearl is seeking investment from the Ujima Fund. The Pearl was ratified as a Business We Love in 2022.
CUPCAKE THERAPY JOINS UGBA
![]()
Cupcake Therapy’s Shironda White joins fellow entrepreneurs Maria Vasco and Joëlle Fontaine on WGBH’s Basic Black.
Read Cupcake Therapy’s interview with Ujima.
Cupcake Therapy is seeking investment from the Ujima Fund. Cupcake Therapy was ratified as a Business We Love in 2022.
Cupcake Therapy’s Shironda White joins fellow entrepreneurs Maria Vasco and Joëlle Fontaine on WGBH’s Basic Black.
Read Cupcake Therapy’s interview with Ujima.
Cupcake Therapy is seeking investment from the Ujima Fund. Cupcake Therapy was ratified as a Business We Love in 2022.
COMFORT KITCHEN JOINS UGBA
![]()
The restaurant, which boasts “Global Comfort Food,” continues to generate excitement, and was named “One of Boston's Most Anticipated New Restaurants.”
Read co-founder Biplaw Rai’s interview with Ujima.
Comfort Kitchen is seeking investment. from the Ujima Fund. Comfort Kitchen was ratified as a Business We Love in 2022.
Read co-founder Biplaw Rai’s interview with Ujima.
Comfort Kitchen is seeking investment. from the Ujima Fund. Comfort Kitchen was ratified as a Business We Love in 2022.
COMMONWEALTH KITCHEN AWARDED FIELD EMPOWERMENT GRANT
![]()
FRESH FOOD GENERATION’S BRICK & MORTAR ANNIVERSARY
![]()
In October, the Dorchester-based restaurant celebrated their first brick and mortar’s first birthday.
SPRING 2023
March 31, 2023 – In this edition of the Boston Ujima Project’s Spring 2023 Investor Update we are spotlighting Ujima’s Community Standards Committee. The Ujima Good Business Alliance grows— almost doubling in size since our last report. We have more news about our portfolio companies and UGBA members. And we gear up for All About Love, our community-care themed assembly. You can find our updated Ujima Fund Pipeline Status and Financial Dashboard as well. Scroll down to peruse the website and learn more.
ASSEMBLY
This April, Ujima invites you to join us as we come together to practice love and honor the wealth of community-led offerings, collectives, organizations, and practices that we cherish. Through a series of curated workshops, lectures, and circles, we'll dive into the ways in which we can build stronger, more inclusive care systems for ourselves and our communities. Reserve your seat.
