Paulo Gregory is a man who doesn’t like labels.

If you were to ask him what he did for a living, you likely wouldn’t get the same answer twice. But, if you had to find a word that could sum up Paulo, “creator” or “connector” may be the best fit.

According to Paulo, the choice to go with EcoMap was an easy one: “we would not have been able to [customize the platform] with a competitor to match the vibe we were trying to convey.” He also added, “when people see the Black Butterfly Exchange, they love it!.” Paulo and the Baltimore ESHIP Stewardship Council Members are excited to use this platform, created with EcoMap, to support the growing Black Butterfly network in Baltimore.

“Ubuntu” is another insightful Zulu word at the crux of Paulo’s philosophy; it means we are responsible for each other’s well-being. Unfortunately, it is not a principle that is typically found in entrepreneurship.

Historically, Black business owners are significantly underrepresented in Baltimore. As Paulo described it, “Ascendent cultures, those structurally forced to the bottom of the economic pyramid, are the last to receive vital information about grants, funding, and other necessary resources to help businesses prosper.” Only a few can win when the top of the hierarchy plays dominoes.

So, maybe it’s time we all put down the dominoes and start a game of Cohado.