I started a list of Black-owned businesses in Maine 6 years ago. I took it down when ICE showed up.

Rose Barboza founded Black owned Maine in 2020

Courtesy of Rose Barboza

• Rose Barboza founded Black Owned Maine in 2020.
• Last month, she took the website down temporarily after ICE came to Maine.
• She's hopeful it can safely come back in the future, but isn't yet sure how.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Rose Barboza, founder of Black Owned Maine. It has been edited for length and clarity.

In the summer of 2020, I started a directory of Black-owned businesses in Maine.