For years, Oakland has been a hub of creativity, resilience, and cultural influence. Now, Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown is bringing a new wave of economic opportunity to the city’s Black entrepreneurs. His latest initiative, OaklandXChange, aims to provide financial backing, mentorship, and resources to historically marginalized business owners in the Bay Area. The project builds on the success of Brown’s BostonXChange (BXC), a program that has already created pathways for Black-owned businesses on the East Coast.
Unveiled during NBA All-Star Weekend at a Hall of Fame Luncheon in San Francisco, OaklandXChange is a partnership between Brown and the JLH Fund, a financial platform supporting underrepresented creators. The initiative will distribute $100,000 in grant funding while offering access to workspaces and business services valued at over $150,000. Participants will also receive three years of coaching to help launch projects across various industries, from fashion and media to culinary arts and entertainment.
Brown emphasized that his efforts go beyond financial contributions; they are also about visibility and sustained engagement. “We don’t want things to be forgotten about,” he said. “Me using my platform to continue to bring awareness, continue to bring light and attention to Oakland, because we know what happens when it’s forgotten about.” By channeling resources into Black-owned businesses, Brown hopes to foster long-term economic mobility in communities that have historically faced systemic barriers to success.
The former NBA champion is not alone in this effort. Jason Kidd, head coach of the Dallas Mavericks and a former NBA star, has also stepped in to support OaklandXChange. Their shared goal is to create an infrastructure that helps Black entrepreneurs scale their businesses, ultimately generating sustainable economic growth in the region.
When the initiative was first announced in August 2024, Brown set an ambitious target: helping Black-owned businesses in Oakland generate $5 billion in net worth. By combining financial investment with mentorship and creative industry support, OaklandXChange seeks to build a more equitable economic landscape—one where Black entrepreneurs are not just included, but positioned to thrive.
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