Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown and former teammate Jrue Holiday are expanding their philanthropic partnership. Their Boston Accelerator Fund is investing another one million dollars. This investment targets a second group of entrepreneurs in the Greater Boston Area.
Jrue Holiday was traded from the Celtics to the Portland Trail Blazers. He and his wife Lauren moved their family to Portland last summer. Holiday joined a younger Trail Blazers team aiming for the playoffs.
Despite leaving the city, the Holidays’ off-court impact in Boston continues. Their collaboration with Jaylen Brown is growing stronger. This partnership began a year and a half ago.
Jrue Holiday spent only two years in Boston. His tenure was a massive success on the court. He earned All-Defensive honors and shot a career-high 42.9% from three.
Holiday was pivotal in the Celtics’ 2024 championship run. He made key steals and defensive stops. His off-court impact in the city extended even deeper.
Much of his philanthropic work flew under the radar. Jaylen Brown and the Holidays launched the Boston Creator Accelerator. This happened months after the successful title run.
The incubator supports underrepresented entrepreneurs. It focuses on the Greater Boston Area. The Accelerator provided ten creators with monetary grants.
These grants totaled one million dollars. It also offered mentorship and resources. Creators received direct access to Brown and the Holidays.
The first year of the partnership was an undeniable success. The Boston Creator Accelerator invested in ten startups. These included the Future Master Chess Academy.
This chess academy serves underserved communities. It focuses on teaching lifelong skills. Another startup was the Little Cocoa Bean Company.
This cafe creates culturally diverse and nutritious food. It specifically targets toddlers and kids. The fund also invested in PYNRS.
PYNRS is a streetwear-inspired performance running apparel company. Another recipient was Everybody Gotta Eat. This is a food culture and catering company.
Now, the fund is investing another one million dollars. This is for a second cohort of entrepreneurs. The initiative continues despite Holiday’s trade.