If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.
Jazz Urbane Ballot Results
Boston Ujima Project is pleased to announce that we have successfully reached quorum on the 2022 Jazz Urbane Cafe Investment Vote. Over the past two weeks, 157 members voted affirmatively to invest $200,000 in Jazz Urbane Cafe over 6 years. Read more in the ballot results breakdown.
When asked why they wanted to invest in Jazz Urbane, voters had a myriad of reasons to support it; from desires for a sit-down restaurant in Nubian Square and product-market fit to valuing support for the arts and trusting the partners involved in the restaurant. Voters said:
“It would be amazing to have a jazz spot in the community, run by people from the community. I could walk there from my home!”
“Kerry’s comment on product-market fit stuck with me, but I recognize that I don’t know the market, as well as other community members, may. I defer to and support the majority.”
“There is a need for a club like that in Nubian Square. Having listened to their presentation, I believe it would be a good investment for Ujima to make.”
“Jazz? Yes. Jazz in Roxbury. Yes, yes."
Additionally, when asked how they would support Jazz Urbane, beyond investment, voters committed to:
→ Dining at the restaurant (85%)
→ Spreading the word (82%)
→ Attending Jazz Urbane events (78%)
❊❊❊
In February 2022, after being named as a start-up loved by members, Jazz Urbane Cafe joined Ujima’s Good Business Alliance, a network of community-based businesses that are eligible for investment from the Ujima Fund.
In addition to the funding provided by the Ujima Fund, Jazz Urbane Cafe will also enjoy technical assistance, business development, and marketing support as part of its acceptance into Ujima’s Good Business Alliance.
JaNoah Daley is the Fund Administrator for Boston Ujima Project. He studied Finance at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where he received his B.S. degree from the Charlton College of Business.
Previously, he was an Accountant at the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation. He currently resides in Cambridge, MA, and enjoys working out in his free time.
Introducing Dave Madan:
Ujima's 2022-24 Community Real Estate Fellow
Dave Madan is a small-scale housing developer and a founder of several racial justice and urban land organizations. He is currently a partner at Boston Investments, founder and chair of the Builders of Color Coalition, co-founder and president of Boston Farms Community Land Trust, and a board member of NAIOP-MA.
He previously served as a founding board member of the Urban Farming Institute, vice president of the board of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, and founder and director of theMOVE. He lives in Lower Roxbury, grew up in Cambridge, and studied urban planning and business at UC Berkeley.
During the course of his fellowship, Dave will accompany Ujima on an exploration of our next community wealth-building vehicle with the purpose of providing opportunities for direct community ownership of local estate. Ujima is conducting this exploration in partnership with local CDCs, land trusts, cooperative developers, and researchers. Ujima began this exploration in October 2020 with Fenway CDC and Somerville CDC.
Clap it Up for Ujima Staff!
Over the past quarter, while staff has been hard at work on the latest investments, votes, and more, we’ve also been making waves elsewhere. Join us in celebrating our staff on their recent achievements and wins!
Nia K. Evans has accepted an invitation to join the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Community Development Advisory Council, which serves to inform community development issues facing New England.
Jock Payten was recently certified as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). He has also joined the Board of Directors for UGBA Member, Cero Cooperative Inc.
Cierra Peters has accepted an invitation to be an artist-in-residence at Moos, a Berlin-based international residency center for the solidarity economy dedicated to sharing and shaping cultures of ecological living, reciprocal economies, and holistic care.
James Vamboi has joined the Board of Justice Funders, an organization whose mission is to re-envision the role of philanthropy to redistribute wealth, democratize power and shift economic control to communities. His appointment will center on supporting organizational cultures and learning circles.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
