Newark's BrownMill Company Awarded $75K in Matching Grants

Newark’s BrownMill Atelier, a sustainable clothing brand, announced today that up to $75,000 of all December sales will be matched by theJrue and Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund (JLH) and the Newark Alliance, as part of the company’s crowdfunding campaign. The campaign, supported by FundBlackFounders, began in November and runs until the end of the year.

Boston Celtics All-Star Point Guard and 2021 NBA Champion Jrue Holiday and his wife, Lauren, a two-time Olympic gold medalist for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, chose BrownMill Company as a 2023 JLH Grantee in November and pledged to match up to $35,000 in sales to support the Black-owned company. In December, Newark Alliance joined the campaign, announcing a match of up to $40,000 in sales, bringing the total available to BrownMill to $75,000.

“We are immensely grateful for the support the Newark community, JLH and Newark Alliance have shown towards BrownMill’s growth over the last few years,” said Justis Pitt-Goodson, co-founder and CEO of BrownMill Company. “We are excited for this crowdfunding campaign to continue our momentum and strengthen the impact our sustainable legacy will have on Halsey Street, Newark and beyond.”

BrownMill is a dedicated lifestyle brand, crafting high-quality, ethically conscious and environmentally friendly clothing that empowers men and women. The company is committed to minimizing its environmental footprint and employs ethical and eco-friendly production methods, source materials from trusted suppliers, and energy-efficient techniques. BrownMill also prioritizes community engagement and strives to make a positive global impact.

“The JLH Social Impact Fund is thrilled to support BrownMill Company’s continued growth and success through our dollar-for-dollar matching program,” said Lauren Holiday, co-founder of the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Fund. “JLH was formed with the mindset of paying it forward, and the community effort that has gone into this crowdfunding campaign has perfectly exemplified what we aim to do. With Newark Alliance’s additional support, BrownMill will be better positioned to reach their goal of raising $100,000 by the end of this year.”

Jrue and Lauren Holiday launched their Social Impact Fund in 2020 following the disruptions of the global COVID-19 pandemic and protests over the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers. Its mission is to combat systemic racism and socioeconomic inequality holding back Black communities. JLH supports local Black-led non-profit organizations, city-wide initiatives seeking equitable outcomes for Black and Brown communities, and historically Black colleges and universities in New Orleans, the Los Angeles area and Indianapolis.

“Newark Alliance is thrilled to be contributing $40,000 to the crowdfunding campaign through a dollar-for-dollar match” said Ashley Mays, Chief of Place and Real Estate for the Newark Alliance. “Halsey Street is a cultural and small business hub and BrownMill has made a tremendous positive impact on the community since its opening on Halsey Street two years ago. We are excited to be part of what’s to come for its continued growth and standing as a leading clothing brand in Newark and beyond.”

Halsey Street is a shopping and entertainment hub located in the heart of downtown Newark’s Arts and Education District. BrownMill Atelier became an anchor tenant of the street in June 2021 when it opened its first storefront. Since then, the company has been supported by NBA players, including Holiday, Dwayne Wade and Carmelo Anthony.

Shoppers can participate in BrownMill’s crowdfunding campaign by purchasing items on www.brownmill.co or visiting the store at 49 Halsey Street, Newark, N.J., throughout December.