ALL SEASONS →

Adele Masengo Designs | Antoine’s Tailor Shop and Formal Wear | Portland, ME

Adele attended fashion school and worked as a professor in the Democratic Republic of Congo prior to coming to Maine as a refugee and single mother. She re-established herself as a designer, founding Adele Masengo Designs and purchasing Antoine’s Tailor Shop and Formal Wear. Ngoy founded Women United Around the World in 2011, which promotes the leadership development of female immigrants.

Akakpo Design Group | Westbrook, ME

Ebenezer Akakpo’s jewelry is inspired after native symbols in Ghana of abundance, affluence, bravery, endurance, friendship, hope, loyalty, strength, supremacy of God, and unity. Prior to moving to Maine, he trained as a fine jeweler in Ghana and Italy.

Love Cookie Project | Portland, ME

Inspired by her passion for the immigrant and refugee community, and her love for pastry, culture, travel, and hearing peoples’ stories, Katherine Slevin founded C. Love Cookie Project, a business that employs immigrants and donates a portion of sales to support the immigrant community of Portland.

Cross Cultural Community Services | Portland, ME

Cross Cultural Consulting Group, run by Abeir Ibrahim, Regina Phillips, Deqa Dhalac, provides cross cultural, multicultural training and coaching to organizations that want to become more knowledgeable about Maine’s growing refugee and immigrant community and people of color.

Wooven Design | Biddeford, ME

Duc “Albert” Nhan is the creative director of home and fashion accessories Fair Trade brand “Wooven”, which was started in Vietnam in 1998. After moving to the US in 2019 he started his own clothing label, aptly called “Albert”, with focus on Southeast Asian repurposed, ethnic textiles, as well as cotton and linen clothing with a Maine coast vibe for men and women. Today, both Albert’s clothing line and Wooven are sold from a single retail location in Biddeford.

Amjambo Africa | Portland, ME

Amjambo Africa is a nonprofit multimedia news organization with content in seven languages. Our mission is to educate the public through events and multimedia platforms about Africa and immigration while advocating for the well-being of all immigrants resettled in Maine. We serve as a connector within and between communities, and help immigrants and their host communities thrive. We produce a monthly print newspaper, a digital site, a weekly podcast series, videos, and maintain an active presence on social media. We are Maine’s most inclusive publication.

Journey Magazine | Portland, ME

Journey Enterprises is a media company on a mission to reduce addiction stigma and save lives. Through their diverse platforms, including a print magazine, digital and social presence along with speaking events, they share inspiring personal recovery stories, elevate mutual-aid recovery programs, and provide valuable resources on health and well-being; all focused on amplifying hope. With an unwavering dedication, they are paving the way for a brighter, stigma-free future.

LooHoo | Camden, ME

Cyndi Prince is the founder of LooHoo, your go-to person for helping you create a natural, healthier home. Just before her son was born, she learned that most dryer sheets contain toxic chemicals that are especially harmful to babies and children. After searching for a healthier alternative to naturally soften their laundry, she created LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls, a reusable, energy-saving  alternative to dryer sheets. LooHoo has been featured in O Magazine, Oprah Daily, PEOPLE and InStyle for being a smart and health eco-conscious swap for household staples.

Thai Taste | South Portland, ME

Thai Taste was conceptualized by its owner and manager, Pom Boobphachati. Hailing from Bangkok, Pom gained vast experience working in two Thai restaurants from 1998-2000 and eventually running her own restaurant in Brunswick, Maine. After graduating with an MBA from the Hospitality Administration at Johnson and Wales University, Pom began opening her Thai restaurants in Southern Maine. In 2005, Thai Taste ranked as one of the top 6 ethnic restaurants by Mainetoday.com. Pom is the founder of four popular restaurants in Portland, South Portland and Falmouth with a great reputation for quality food and exceptional service.

Black Owned Maine | Portland, ME

Black Owned Maine is a nonprofit dedicated to sustaining and innovating an ecosystem specifically for Black entrepreneurs in Maine. Our mission is supported through our directory of Black businesses, technical assistance and advising program, and support from community members and organizations that deeply understand the needs of the Black community.

Monica’s Chocolate’s | Lubec, ME

Owner and chocolatier, Monica Elliott, shares the challenges of opening a chocolate shop in rural Maine, attributing much of her success to the support she received from the Lubec community. Monica Elliott’s culinary passion began in the family home when she was a child in her native country of Peru. After moving to Maine, Monica experimented with her own creations. The first recipe she perfected was the bonbon, based on the Peruvian filling she learned to make as a child. The enthusiastic response she received from friends and family who sampled her bonbons inspired her to develop additional chocolate recipes. Her chocolate shop, not far from Quoddy Head is open all year, offering the full line of chocolates, chocolate gift baskets, and Peruvian items for purchase in the store, or through her website.