Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown is launching a nonprofit initiative that is set to generate $5 billion in generational wealth in communities of color in the city of Boston.
According to their website, Boston XChange (BXC) “is dedicated to fostering innovation and cultural diversity, empowering under-invested creators and entrepreneurs to thrive.”
Last summer, Brown inked an extension with the Celtics. At the time, it was the largest contract in NBA history. But he didn’t just sign the deal. He made a statement.
Brown inked the dotted line at his Bridge program for local Black and brown students at MIT. The photo that came from the signing includes the group of camp participants standing behind him.
Jaylen Brown signs his record-breaking Celtics contract extension here at MIT surrounded by his Bridge Program campers pic.twitter.com/AdoEtuojgA
— Steve Hewitt (@steve_hewitt) July 26, 2023
His extension also came with a promise—to bring Black Wall Street back to Boston and tackle the wealth gap in the city.
“I want to launch a project to bring Black Wall Street here in Boston,” Brown said via CNN. “I want to attack the wealth disparity here. I think there’s analytics that supports that stimulating the wealth gap could actually be something that could be better meant for the entire economy.”
Now, just one year later, he’s taking even more action.
Jaylen Brown starting Boston XChange initiative to generate $5 billion in generational wealth in communities of color
Shirley Leung of The Boston Globe reported that BXC is now accepting applicants for the Boston Creator Incubator + Accelerator. The program, which will be co-run by Jrue and Lauren Holiday’s JLH Social Impact Fund, “will sponsor 10 entrepreneurs in Greater Boston in design, arts, media, entertainment, fashion, and culinary arts.”
Brown also spoke to Lueng about what he hopes to accomplish with this new project, and it all circles back to the commitments he made last offseason.
“One of our goals is to identify gaps and amplify the incredible work that’s already taken place,” Brown said. “We have been building resources for more than a year, but BXC is just getting started, and we can’t do it alone.”
Basketball is what brought Brown to Boston, but his impact stretches unimaginably far beyond the hardwood. The Finals MVP has made his goals clear at every turn of his career, and restricting them to the court would be a disservice to the influence he’s had on the city.
Brown was named the 23rd most influential person in Boston by Boston Magazine. The only other athlete on the list is ranked 150th as “Patriots Quarterback - TBD.”
Fans will see Brown and think of the Larry O’Brien and Bill Russell MVP trophy, but with everything he has done and continues to do for the city of Boston, those accolades don’t hold a candle.
“Jaylen has been changing the game on and off the court, and we are so blessed in Boston to partner with him once again — now with his visionary leadership setting a national standard for innovation and wealth creation,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said. “Boston XChange is an example of what’s possible when we work together with urgency to create opportunities connecting creators and entrepreneurs to sustainable wealth building that helps our entire community thrive.”