Jaylen Brown & Jrue Holiday Launch Fund for Minority Businesses in Boston & Oakland
Jaylen Brown, known for his excellence on the court and his commitment to social change, continues to leverage his platform to create meaningful impact off the court. In a conversation with LandonBuford.com, the Boston Celtics player revealed his next bold endeavor: constructing a modern Black Wall Street in Boston and Oakland.
Brown provided information about an incubator fund he established with his Celtics teammate, Jrue Holiday.
“Yeah, we’ve got an incubator fund,” Brown explained. “I teamed up with my teammate Jrue Holiday, and we’ve selected a cohort of about 10 businesses. We identified them through a set rubric and an interview process. The goal is to invest in and support minority-owned businesses in the Boston area.”
Brown’s mission to address systemic economic inequality and create opportunities for historically marginalized communities has reached its latest stage with this incubator fund. Boston is continuing the initiative. As Brown mentioned, “I’m excited about this initiative, looking forward to working with the next group of 10, and also expanding this effort to invest in Oakland as well.”
Jaylen Brown aims to alter the narrative of wealth disparities in underserved communities by giving minority-owned businesses the tools, mentorship, and financial backing they need to flourish through these efforts. His vision encompasses his passion for social justice and a strategic approach to building generational wealth, one community at a time.
Jaylen Brown launched his ambitious initiative, ‘Boston XChange‘ (BXC), on Aug 1, 2024, a program designed to aid underrepresented creators and entrepreneurs in Boston. This forward-thinking venture is more than just a business incubator. It’s a blueprint for tackling systemic inequality through economic empowerment.
After signing a historic five-year, $304 million supermax extension with the NBA Champion Boston Celtics, Brown stressed the importance of using his role to address Boston’s ongoing income inequalities. The initiative aims to emulate the spirit of Black Wall Street, fostering generational wealth and opportunities for marginalized communities. As per his statement to the Grio,
“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.”
With Boston XChange, Brown aims to demonstrate that empowering local businesses and creators is a moral imperative and a catalyst for broader economic growth.
The program’s ambitious goal of generating $5 billion in wealth demonstrates its scale and intent. By collaborating with institutions like Harvard Business School and the MIT Entrepreneurship Center and through strategic partnerships with the JLH Social Impact Fund, BXC is developing a comprehensive support system for minority-owned businesses.
Through the initiative’s grants, mentorship, and resources, entrepreneurs have the tools to succeed while fostering innovation and job creation. Brown’s determination to bring together diverse voices to drive impact beyond the basketball court is a testament to his belief that lasting change requires a collective approach.
Jaylen Brown’s dedication to driving change beyond basketball can be seen in his vision for a modern Black Wall Street in Boston and Oakland. Through the Boston XChange initiative and collaboration with fellow leaders like Jrue Holiday, Brown is addressing systemic economic disparities in a way that provides a tangible pathway for minority-owned businesses to thrive.
His strategic approach, grounded in mentorship, investment, and collaboration with world-class institutions, reflects his understanding that tackling wealth inequality is not just about financial support but also about fostering long-term opportunities for generating growth.
Brown’s bold leadership and unwavering dedication demonstrate that true impact occurs when passion meets purpose. He’s paving the way for athletes to use their platforms to create a better and more equitable future for all.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
