Update: It is with an extremely heavy heart that we made the tough decision to take down our public-facing directory and, subsequently, our entire website. This action was made in an effort to protect our Black, PoC, and immigrant communities from further attacks by ICE, local and national Nazi groups, and other racist factions.

The BOM directory and network are so much more than a list. It is the most comprehensive database of its kind in the entire country. It has supported over 72% of all Black-owned business owners across the state, with over $5 million in economic benefits. It is a connector of disparate communities, a place to call home for newcomers to the state, folks rooted here, and tourists alike. It has been featured on over 5,000 other websites and received over 400,000 views. It is used by individuals, companies, and nonprofits far and wide who wish to diversify their spending and invest in disenfranchised communities. On top of all of this, it is a visual representation of the parts of Maine that are often dismissed in the greater landscape. It is a required facilitator of economic growth for the state of Maine and beyond.

When we initially built this resource, we did not have funding for upkeep or additional security features. On top of this, all funding requests to support this work have been denied in recent years. We are currently seeking proposals from agencies to build a secure platform that ensures safety for our community and our organization as a whole. The BOM website and directory include many interconnected pieces that must work in sync to ensure accessibility via various devices. In turn, this means that this work is not easy, cheap, or quick.

We NEED your support, and we need it now. It is estimated to cost $100k+ to complete this work, including design and development, SEO, accessibility and security features, a completely separate directory and member space that can be turned on or off depending on community needs, and staff time to maintain it for 24 months.

Please consider setting up a monthly recurring donation to not only support the next iteration of BOM but also the safety and fortitude of the community we stand alongside. Thank you!

Black Owned Maine just turned five! Since our founding, we’ve invested $534,000 directly into the Black community and provided culturally relevant advising and support to over 700 Black entrepreneurs across the state.

View BOM's Five Year Impact Report

We believe that entrepreneurship is a powerful pathway to generational wealth, and we’re here to make that pathway more accessible, equitable, and inspired by the lived experiences of Black Mainers. From one-on-one consulting to grants, training, research, and advocacy, our work is driven by community, for community.

And it all started with you.

While government and foundation support ebbs and flows, community support has always sustained us. If you’ve ever been listed in our directory, received business advising, been awarded a grant, attended an event, or simply believe in the future of Black Mainers, please consider making a donation. Your support keeps our mission moving.

Your Gift Supports:

Business Technical Assistance
Culturally relevant advising and cohort-based consulting to help Black entrepreneurs scale and stabilize their businesses.

Directory Maintenance
Our 400+ member Black business directory is the backbone of our ecosystem. Your support helps us keep it accurate, up to date, and accessible to all.

Research & Ecosystem Building
We study thriving Black ecosystems across the globe to better understand what works, why, and how to bring it home to Maine.

Advocacy & Education
We challenge systemic gatekeeping by pushing for equitable access to information, funding, and education. We don't just support Black entrepreneurs—we fight for them.

Corporate Partners and Funders

If you are a foundation, corporate donor, or donor-advised fund, please contact rose@blackownedmaine.com before giving to ensure alignment and acknowledgment.

Thank you for believing in us!

With gratitude,
The BOM Team
Abedom, Rose, Jennifer, and Etinosa

Sustainability + Innovation: BOM