The Boston Celtics have a storied history when it comes to social change, from drafting the NBA's first African American player in Chuck Cooper in 1950 to debuting the first all-Black starting five in 1964, and more recently to backing guard Jaylen Brown's protest against police killings of unarmed Black Americans in Atlanta. Now, the organization says it is working with an e-commerce marketing firm to give local Black-owned small businesses a boost.
The Celtics and Vistaprint have partnered on the #PowerForward campaign that sets out to provide these businesses in the Boston area with $25,000 grants. For Rich Gotham, Boston Celtics team president, the initiative is about leveling the playing field.
"Our research has shown us that really one of four Black-owned small businesses actually have a lending or borrowing relationship with a bank, that getting financing is less available, and it's more expensive for them, so we think those are problems we can help with," he told Cheddar.
For Vistaprint North America President Emily Whitaker, the aim here is not only to provide monetary support for these businesses but to also establish a working relationship giving them more visibility. She said the company is willing to help in areas that entrepreneurs might not have easy access to and can customize programs based on the needs of the businesses.
"Not only are we extending a meaningful grant of $25,000 but we go beyond that to give personalized assistance to the recipients," Whitaker noted. "That could be in the form of marketing expertise, which we'll bring to the table, or it could be access to our shared platforms that the Celtics have, whether that be through media or through design services or branding expertise that Vistaprint has."
The Boston branch of the NAACP will also work with the team to allocate funds, and Celtics United, a joint venture between Celtics investors and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, will continue "research into some of the systemic issues" Black-owned businesses face to better equip them with tools to succeed.
"We are looking for programs that are sustained, and I think with small businesses, in particular, they need injection of fuel to get to growth in scale," Gotham added. "I think if we can help get them to scale. We can make a long-term difference."
Boeing workers at three Midwest plants where military aircraft and weapons are developed have voted to reject the company’s latest contract offer and to continue a strike that started almost three months ago. The strike by about 3,200 machinists at the plants in the Missouri cities of St. Louis and St. Charles, and in Mascoutah, Illinois, is smaller in scale than a walkout last year by 33,000 Boeing workers who assemble commercial jetliners. The president of the International Association of Machinists says Sunday's outcome shows Boeing hasn't adequately addressed wages and retirement benefits. Boeing says Sunday's vote was close with 51% of union members opposing the revised offer.
The stunning indictment that led to the arrest of more than 30 people — including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and other NBA figures — has drawn new scrutiny of the booming business of sports betting in the U.S. The multibillion-dollar industry has made it easy for sports fans — and even some players — to wager on everything from the outcome of games to that of a single play with just a few taps of a cellphone. But regulating the rapidly-growing industry has proven to be a challenge. Professional sports leagues’ own role in promoting gambling has also raised eyebrows.
Tesla, the car company run by Elon Musk, reported Wednesday that it sold more vehicles in the past three months after boycotts hit hard earlier this year, but profits still fell sharply. Third-quarter earnings fell to $1.4 billion, from $2.2 billion a year earlier. Excluding charges, per share profit of 50 cents came in below analysts' estimate. Tesla shares fell 3.5% in after-hours trading. Musk said the company's robotaxi service, which is available in Austin, Texas, and San Francisco, will roll out to as many as 10 other metro areas by the end of the year.
Starbucks’ AI barista aims to speed service and improve experience. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune Business Editor, explains its impact on workers and customers.
As Big Tech reports Q3 earnings, investors await proof that massive AI and cloud investments from Meta, Apple, Microsoft, and Alphabet are driving real growth.
Eric Trump joins us to discuss American Bitcoin’s mission, market strategy, and why he believes the U.S. must lead the next era of digital currency innovation.
Unreal Snacks CEO Kevin McCarthy shares how dye-free candy is leading the sweets revolution—just in time for what could be a record-breaking Halloween 2025.
