BOSTON
UJIMA
PROJECT
SPRING 2022
INVESTOR UPDATE
VOL. 2, ISSUE 1
Choosing to invest allows me to build on my children’s future. If my children see that I'm investing, they'll do it.
- NNEKA HALL, INVESTORIntroduction
The Boston Ujima Project is pleased to present our first Investor Update of 2022. After successfully reaching our investment capital goal of raising $4.5M the Ujima Fund Team is solely focused on deploying the fund’s investment capital and supporting working-class communities of color in Boston through responsible business development.
We began the year by completing our second investment vote. Dorchester Food Co-op received overwhelming support from Ujima voting members, and were approved for a $25,000 loan which they intend to use for the build out of their new grocery store. We’re also energized by the launch our third investment campaign—an equity ownership opportunity—in Jazz Urbane Cafe.
We have set an ambitious investment goal of investing between $1M - $1.25M of capital throughout the year and we’ll need community support each step of the way. To ensure businesses can receive access to capital, advertising, and technical assistance, we’ll first need the businesses to join Ujima’s Good Business Alliance.
As you may know, the Ujima Good Business Alliance is our business membership organization. Each member of the Alliance is first nominated by Ujima’s members, and then meets with our Community Standards Committee. If you’ve named any of the “Businesses We Love” we’d like your support in encouraging those companies to contact our Ujima Fund Management Team. We’ll be reaching out to many as well but appreciate any added support!
We have set an ambitious investment goal of investing between $1M-$1.25M of capital throughout 2022, and we’ll need community support each step of the way.
To ensure a just transition, we remained steadfast in our commitment to financing solutions to social and economic inequality. As we gear up for an exciting year, we look forward to more conversations with business owners, employees, coalition partners, and our members. We are grateful for your support. ◼︎
— Jock Payten, Interim Managing Director, Ujima Fund
In this latest report, you will find interviews with three esteemed investors, new alliance members, and our new resource, Ujima’s Investment Pipeline Status Page, which aims to create more transparency in our process by providing open-source access to our investment process. Lastly, you will find an updated Ujima Fund Financial Dashboard, as well as portfolio and business alliance updates. Scroll down to peruse the website and learn more. ︎
PARTNERSHIP. CREATIVITY
In 2018, Boston Ujima Project and Union Capital Boston (UCB) launched a unique partnership which allows UCB members to turn their community engagement rewards into an investment in the Ujima Fund.
Union Capital Boston transforms social capital into opportunity by rewarding community engagement. Click the links below to read the interviews with investors who participated in the program.
ERIC LESLIE
InvestorREV. MARIAMA
WHITE-HAMMOND
InvestorInvesting allows me to build more resources into communities that need more voices. I liked the idea of being able to plant a seed that can grow in our communities.
- MIRELLA CRUZ, INVESTOR
PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
DORCHESTER FOOD COOPERATIVE
BECOMES UJIMA FUND PORTFOLIO COMPANY
On February 10, 2022, we announced that we successfully reached quorum on the 2022 DFC Investment Ballot.
Together, members approved a $25,000 loan, at 5% interest, over 7 years. Read more in the ballot results breakdown.
When asked why Voting Members wanted to invest in DFC, voters commented, "The Dorchester Food Coop aligns with Ujima
values, both from the business standards perspective but also in the idea of keeping resources and capital in the neighborhood.
Excited for more healthy food in the area!"
Together, members approved a $25,000 loan, at 5% interest, over 7 years. Read more in the ballot results breakdown.
When asked why Voting Members wanted to invest in DFC, voters commented, "The Dorchester Food Coop aligns with Ujima
values, both from the business standards perspective but also in the idea of keeping resources and capital in the neighborhood.
Excited for more healthy food in the area!"
BUSINESS ALLIANCE UPDATES
BLACK MARKET NUBIAN & JAZZ URBANE CAFE JOIN UGBA
The Ujima Good Business Alliance welcomes two new members: Black Market Nubian and Jazz Urbane Cafe. Below, we highlight an interview with Jazz Urbane Cafe, and news from around the ecosystem.
Black Market Nubian
In the News: “Well-known Black developers team up on
Roxbury ‘P3’ proposal,” Boston Business Journal, March 2022
Black Market Nubian is not currently seeking investment from the Ujima Fund.
Jazz Urbane Cafe
Ujima Interviews Jazz Urbane Cafe Team
Jazz Urbane Cafe is currently seeking investment from the Ujima Fund. On March 21, Ujima released the Jazz Urbane investment memo to Voting Members and began a formal investment vote.
FRESH FOOD GENERATION
AND DORCHESTER FOOD COOP MAKE NEWS
UJIMA LAUNCHES UGBA FOCUSED PODCAST
Ujima has teamed up with the Moonlighters' Club to produce a new podcast: Yours, Mine, and Ours. Hosted by Joel Edwards, this podcast spotlights the businesses of Ujima's Good Business Alliance.
NITTY GRITTY
INVESTMENT PIPELINE
Visit our Investment Pipeline Status page to track the progress of Ujima’s investment plans, lists, and votes.
FINANCIAL DASHBOARD
For additional updates and more in depth information on the Ujima Fund, visit our Financial Dashboard.
DONATE TO IMANI POOL
Ujima is proud to announce that we have met from our $4.5 million investment capital goal. Members and supporters can still contribute to the Ujima Fund by donating to the Imani pool here.
Choosing to invest allows me to build on my children’s future. If my children see that I'm investing, they'll do it.
- NNEKA HALL, INVESTORIntroduction
The Boston Ujima Project is pleased to present our first Investor Update of 2022. After successfully reaching our investment capital goal of raising $4.5M the Ujima Fund Team is solely focused on deploying the fund’s investment capital and supporting working-class communities of color in Boston through responsible business development.
We began the year by completing our second investment vote. Dorchester Food Co-op received overwhelming support from Ujima voting members, and were approved for a $25,000 loan which they intend to use for the build out of their new grocery store. We’re also energized by the launch our third investment campaign—an equity ownership opportunity—in Jazz Urbane Cafe.
We have set an ambitious investment goal of investing between $1M - $1.25M of capital throughout the year and we’ll need community support each step of the way. To ensure businesses can receive access to capital, advertising, and technical assistance, we’ll first need the businesses to join Ujima’s Good Business Alliance.
As you may know, the Ujima Good Business Alliance is our business membership organization. Each member of the Alliance is first nominated by Ujima’s members, and then meets with our Community Standards Committee. If you’ve named any of the “Businesses We Love” we’d like your support in encouraging those companies to contact our Ujima Fund Management Team. We’ll be reaching out to many as well but appreciate any added support!
We have set an ambitious investment goal of investing between $1M-$1.25M of capital throughout 2022, and we’ll need community support each step of the way.
If you’ve named any of the “Businesses We Love” we’d like your support in encouraging those companies to contact our Ujima Fund Management Team.
To ensure a just transition, we remained steadfast in our commitment to financing solutions to social and economic inequality. As we gear up for an exciting year, we look forward to more conversations with business owners, employees, coalition partners, and our members. We are grateful for your support. ◼︎
— Jock Payten, Interim Managing Director, Ujima Fund
In this latest report, you will find interviews with three esteemed investors, new alliance members, and our new resource, Ujima’s Investment Pipeline Status Page, which aims to create more transparency in our process by providing open-source access to our investment process. Lastly, you will find an updated Ujima Fund Financial Dashboard, as well as portfolio and business alliance updates. Scroll down to peruse the website and learn more. ︎
![]()
PARTNERSHIP. CREATIVITY ![]()
PARTNERSHIP. CREATIVITY 
In 2018, Boston Ujima Project and Union Capital Boston (UCB) launched a unique partnership
which allows UCB members to turn their community engagement rewards into an investment in the Ujima Fund.
Union Capital Boston transforms social capital into opportunity by rewarding community engagement.
Click the links below to read the interviews with investors who participated in the program.
Investing allows me to build more resources into communities that need more voices. I liked the idea of being able to plant a seed that can grow in our communities.
- MIRELLA CRUZ, INVESTOR
![]()
PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS ![]()
DORCHESTER FOOD COOPERATIVE BECOMES UJIMA FUND PORTFOLIO COMPANY
On February 10, 2022, we announced that we successfully reached quorum on the 2022 DFC Investment Ballot.
Together, members approved a $25,000 loan, at 5% interest, over 7 years. Read more in the ballot results breakdown.
When asked why Voting Members wanted to invest in DFC, voters commented, "The Dorchester Food Coop aligns with Ujima
values, both from the business standards perspective but also in the idea of keeping resources and capital in the neighborhood.
Excited for more healthy food in the area!"
Together, members approved a $25,000 loan, at 5% interest, over 7 years. Read more in the ballot results breakdown.
When asked why Voting Members wanted to invest in DFC, voters commented, "The Dorchester Food Coop aligns with Ujima
values, both from the business standards perspective but also in the idea of keeping resources and capital in the neighborhood.
Excited for more healthy food in the area!"
![]()
BUSINESS ALLIANCE UPDATES ![]()
BLACK MARKET NUBIAN & JAZZ URBANE CAFE JOIN UGBA
The Ujima Good Business Alliance welcomes two new members: Black Market Nubian and Jazz Urbane Cafe.
Below, we highlight an interview with Jazz Urbane Cafe, and news from around the ecosystem.
Black Market Nubian
In the News: “Well-known Black developers team up on
Roxbury ‘P3’ proposal,” Boston Business Journal, March 2022
Black Market Nubian is not currently seeking investment from the Ujima Fund.
Jazz Urbane Cafe
Ujima Interviews Jazz Urbane Cafe Team
Jazz Urbane Cafe is currently seeking investment from the Ujima Fund. On March 21, Ujima released the Jazz Urbane investment memo to Voting Members and began a formal investment vote.
FRESH FOOD GENERATION AND DORCHESTER FOOD COOP MAKE NEWS
UJIMA LAUNCHES UGBA FOCUSED PODCAST
Ujima has teamed up with the Moonlighters' Club to produce a new podcast: Yours, Mine, and Ours.
Hosted by Joel Edwards, this podcast spotlights the businesses of Ujima's Good Business Alliance.
“We see the power of organized money. The power of positional power, or of weaponry, of mass militarization. And what we don't see as easily, but man it is beautiful and powerful when we observe it, is the power of organized people.”
— ERIC LESLIE, INVESTOR![]()
NITTY GRITTY ![]()
︎︎︎︎︎
INVESTMENT PIPELINE
Visit our Investment Pipeline Status page to
track progress of Ujima’s investment plans,
lists, and votes.
INVESTMENT PIPELINE
Visit our Investment Pipeline Status page to track progress of Ujima’s investment plans,
lists, and votes.
FINANCIAL DASHBOARD
For additional updates and more in depth information on the Ujima Fund, visit our Financial Dashboard.
︎︎︎︎︎
