Money will combat racism in Maine and strengthen the local Black community
Portland, ME: Today, Black Owned Maine announced its fundraising milestone of $6,200 in one week, thanks to the partnership with Bowdoin College’s Track and Field and Cross Country Team and its Bear the Torch fundraising event, securing funds for future business and personal grants for the local Black community here in Maine.
Claire Traum, Gillian King, Jada Scotland, and Women’s Track and Field Head Coach Lara Jane Que reached out to Black Owned Maine, composed of Jerry Edwards and Bowdoin Alumni, and Rose Barboza. These students and athletes had an idea to launch this fundraiser: Power the Black Owned Maine movement with movement – asking Bowdoin teammates, alumni, coaches, students, faculty, staff, family, and friends to run, bike, walk, or move across the country for Black Owned Maine. People were asked to pledge one cent per mile of movement, resulting in over $6,700 raised between July 26 – August 3, 2020.
People can still donate to the Bear the Torch fundraiser at the GoFundMe page here: Fundraiser is now closed. If you wish to donate to BOM you may do so through our fiscal sponsorship with Creative Portland.
Black Owned Maine launched its first Black-Owned Business Grant and Black Owned Maine Family Grant in July 2020, and this fundraiser will help provide direct assistance to support and strengthen local Black businesses and local Black families in Maine. “Most importantly, when we support the overlooked Black community in our state, we help combat racism in Maine and we strengthen our overall Maine economy and our Maine community in a powerful way,” says Rose Barboza, founder of Black Owned Maine. “This movement has been a long time coming, and thanks to partners like Bowdoin College, it’s finally getting the traction we need to make a real difference.”
About Black Owned Maine: Black Owned Maine was created to fill a void within the commerce industry of Maine. Before deciding to create this project there was not a single concise source showcasing Black-owned businesses in Maine. National directories simply left our beautiful state out completely. Black Owned Maine has challenged this truth and offered a solution. Please visit https://blackownedmaine.com to check out the Black Owned Directory as well as learn how to get involved, and follow them on Instagram @blackownedmaine, as well as their personal accounts @realgeniusblack and @roseofbom.
About Bowdoin College’s Track and Field and Cross Country Team: Please visit https://athletics.bowdoin.edu/ or follow them on Instagram @bowdoin.xc.tf.
