One Maine Group: The Resources

One Maine Group is a strategic partnership developed by Black Owned Maine (“BOM”) and Providentia Group (“Providentia”) to cultivate BIPOC economic agency and power that has been dampened by historical inequities and systemic disparities. One Maine is launching 2021 programming to determine what works to nurture and sustain the entrepreneurial aspirations for BIPOC Mainers.

“One Maine Group’s primary contributor takes you through their vision of informing and equipping BIPOC entrepreneurs in Maine. They offer perspectives on creating, learning, and engaging in the process of launching or growing a business. They reveal how offerings will focus on identifying resources, mindset/ approach, job creation, and innovation all throughout Maine.”

Episode 2A – Resources – Finding Resources and Becoming a Resource (Part A): Genius Black and Martha Bentley (Director of Economic Development at Maine Department of Economic and Community Development) discuss ways to demystify business resources, how Martha thinks about systems change, opportunities, and the responsibility to create new connections in the social change ecosystem – “loosening the roots” as we call it. They explore the roles entrepreneurs need to occupy for each other, encouraging up-and-coming businesses to practice taking risks. Follow Martha on Twitter. 

Episode 2B – Resources – Finding Resources and Becoming a Resource (Part B): Genius Black and Sherry Butler discuss how giving exposure to Black-owned businesses around the Dallas – Fort Worth area was Sherry’s initial goal. Now she is the administrator of a large Facebook group called “Black Owned Businesses around DFW,” and actively curates the experience and promotions within the group. They discuss how Sherry utilized her local “Pan-African Connection,” and the local SBA who is exploring diversity. Sherry encourages entrepreneurs to trust their intuition to guide them. She also exposed ‘front’ businesses who falsely appeal to African Americans, as if they are ‘Black’ owned. The trickery is real. 

Martha Bently

mmbmanage@gmail.com

Twitter

Sherry’s Resources:

Black Owned Businesses Around DFW

Instagram: Buy She

Pan African Connection 

4466 S Marsalis Ave

Dallas 75216

For Oak Cliff 

907 E. Ledbetter Dr

Dallas 75216

Krystal Williams

Instagram: @providentiagroup

kwilliams@providentiagroup.com

Rose Barboza

Instagram @blackownedmaine 

blackownedmaine@gmail.com

Genius Black

Instagram: @realgeniusblack

YouTube: @realgeniusblack

Music: Search ‘Genius Black’ on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

geniusblack7@gmail.com