Introducing Ujima's 2024-25 Restaurant Fellow: Biplaw Rai

July 11, 2024 — Boston, MA ● The Boston Ujima Project, a Black-led, artist-led organization building a cooperative business, arts, and investment ecosystem, is excited to announce the selection of Biplaw Rai as our 2024-25 Restaurant Fellow. This fellowship recognizes and supports restauranteurs in the Ujima ecosystem who are committed to forward-thinking hospitality practices.

As the Restaurant Fellow, Rai will receive a supportive environment to continue his work to reimagine the landscape of food and restaurant culture in Boston. Throughout this fellowship, Rai will provide advisory services to businesses within the Ujima Fund portfolio, Ujima Good Business Alliance, and the Businesses We Love Pipeline, as well as engage in policy research and advocacy. Additionally, Rai’s work will help Ujima cultivate sharp expertise in the restaurant industry, as many investment candidates, identified by community members, are food businesses.

Biplaw Rai brings a wealth of experience as both a restaurateur and community organizer. The restaurateur and co-owner recently celebrated the first anniversary of Comfort Kitchen, a nationally acclaimed and James Beard-nominated cafe and restaurant specializing in global comfort food. Rai channels his passion for food, culture, and community to create intentional, collaborative spaces that connect people from all walks of life.