Genius Black - February 2022

Co-Director, Black Owned Maine and Co-Owner, Black Owned Maine Media

Rapper, musician, entrepreneur, and the cofounder of the website and podcast BlackOwnedMaine, a directory of Black owned businesses in the state, Genius Black is here to spread music and joy — and amplify the voices of Black, brown, and native people around the state. Having come to Maine from Texas to study at Bowdoin College, his realization that “I always had to be the one to point out, no that’s racist,” led to an awakening: “Understanding that my voice deserves to be heard even in a place like this, being someone from away who looks different from a lot of people, in a sense it even means more so, that my voice deserves to be heard. When it comes to creating social change in Maine and spreading awareness of anti-racism and justice, a lot of times you’re in a conversation with an organization or a human who really is surprised they need to do something different. A lot of the weight really does fall on the Black and Brown people within the state. We are the most powerful change agents. Our voice has the ring of truth.”

Using his voice, to create art, provoke conversations, and bring people together, has put Genius and his company in the spotlight with those seeking to create greater racial equity. In addition to his BOMP podcast at blackownedmaine.com he recommends the book My Grandmother’s Hands, by Resmaa Menakem. “It’s about healing the trauma, giving you the tools to be superpowerful.”