We are excited to share the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion September newsletter featuring news, updates, and important information from our Cabinet. |
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OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS LAUNCHES ANNUAL LEGACY BUSINESS AWARDS NOMINATIONS
Last week, Mayor Michelle Wu and the Office of Small Business announced the launch of the nomination period for the fourth annual Legacy Business Awards. Residents are encouraged to nominate long standing businesses that have been located within the city of Boston for at least 10 years and contribute to the cultural, historical, and societal fabric of their community or neighborhood. To nominate a business, residents can use the online form, visit their local Boston Public Library branch, or call the Office of Small Business at 617-635-0355. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, October 31, 2025. |
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CITY OF BOSTON PARTNERS WITH BECMA TO LAUNCH CANNABIS BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM This month, the Boston Cannabis Equity Program and BECMA launched the Cannabis Business Empowerment Program, an initiative to help Boston’s cannabis equity applicants and licensed equity businesses launch, stabilize, and scale.
Funded by a $350,000 grant from the City of Boston, which is supported by a portion of local tax revenue generated by Boston cannabis businesses, BECMA will provide program participants with access to non-dilutive grants, expert technical assistance (legal, accounting, and marketing), and essential tools and technology. |
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TOURISM, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT |
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Mayor Wu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu, Director of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment John Borders IV, and notable attendees at the Cash App|Visa Presents The Essence HBCU Classic. |
FOR THE CULTURE WEEK HONORS R&B LEGENDS NEW EDITION AND CELEBRATES THE LEGACY AND EXCELLENCE OF HBCUS
From August 25 to August 31, the City of Boston hosted For The Culture Week, a multi-day experience bringing Boston together to honor the legacy and excellence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) while simultaneously celebrating R&B legends—and Roxbury natives—New Edition.
Highlights from For The Culture Week included: - A street naming ceremony and a community block party celebrating New Edition’s profound impact on both the Boston community and the music industry on Saturday, August 30. At the block party, New Edition purchased 3,000 tickets for Roxbury residents to attend the Cash App | Visa Presents The Essence HBCU Classic that took place later in the day.
- The first HBCU football game in Boston in over 50 years, Cash App | Visa Presents The Essence HBCU Classic, on Saturday August 30 which featured Morehouse College and Johnson C. Smith University facing off at Harvard Stadium. Johnson C. Smith University won the game with the final score totaling 45-9.
- The 25th Annual Gospel Fest took place on Sunday, August 31 at Leader Bank Pavilion, and featured an evening celebrating gospel music with a headlining performance by renowned artist John P. Kee.
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BOSTON LICENSING BOARD HOSTS LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION OFFICE HOURS
Earlier this month, the City of Boston Licensing Board kicked off their virtual Liquor License Application Office Hours. Office hours take place every other Wednesday from 3 pm to 5 pm through December 17, 2025. During Office Hours, Licensing Board staff can answer questions about the liquor license application process. |
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TOURISM, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT OPEN STREETS BOSTON: MATTAPAN October 18, 2025 | Blue Hill Avenue | 10:30 am - 3 pm
During Open Streets events, neighborhood streets are closed to vehicular traffic to create room for community and play. The events allow local businesses to expand into the street, and to safely make space for music, games, bicycling, community tabling, and more. |
SMALL BUSINESS CITY OF BOSTON SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE FAIR October 20, 2025 | Roslindale Community Center | 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Meet City of Boston departments, network with fellow small business owners, and access resources to start, grow, or expand your business. |
SMALL BUSINESS PREPARING YOUR BUSINESS FOR SELLING AT MARKETS October 21, 2025 | Suffolk University (1 Court Street) | 9 am - 10 am
The Office of Small Business is partnering with the Center for Women and Enterprise to host a panel on preparing to vend at holiday and pop-up markets. Panelists from well-known market organizers and experienced small business owners will take questions from attendees and share their thoughts on best practices and how to set your business up for success. |
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSION MENTOR MATCHING FOR EARLY-STAGE FOUNDERS October 21, 2025 | Register to view location| 5:30 pm
Join Startup Boston and City of Boston for an exclusive mentorship event designed to connect early-stage founders with experienced mentors. This event features small, intimate group discussions to encourage meaningful conversations and connections. |
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AXIOS BOSTON 1 big thing: The late night food truck experiment Boston's late-night food truck pilot program has become a testing ground for restaurant owners who want to learn the mobile dining business. [READ MORE]
BAY STATE BANNER New grant program helps business owners level up The City of Boston recently selected grant recipients for the Supplying Capital and Leveraging Education (SCALE) program, a technical assistance program designed for small businesses in specific industries. [READ MORE]
BOSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL Hasbro chooses Boston Seaport for new headquarters Hasbro Inc., one of the world’s largest toy companies, will move its headquarters to Boston from its long-time home of Rhode Island. [READ MORE]
NBC BOSTON Roxbury royalty: Boston honors New Edition with street renaming The City of Boston dubbed Saturday, August 30 as "New Edition Day," highlighted by a huge block party and street renaming, with Mayor Michelle Wu officially designating Dearborn Street as "New Edition Way." [READ MORE] |
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Last month, Boston Flower Co. celebrated the grand opening of their flower and workshop studio with Mayor Wu, City of Boston staff, and local community members. The studio specializes in daily flower deliveries, floral design for weddings and events, and curated workshops. In addition to their own offerings, the space also welcomes local entrepreneurs and small businesses to host workshops for the community.
Follow along as founder and owner Yanique Shaw shares how Boston Flower Co. has blossomed in Mattapan—from launching her floral business in 2021 to opening her first storefront. She also highlights the support she received from the City of Boston, including being a recipient of the SPACE Grant Program and storefront signage assistance through the Office of Small Business’ ReStore Program.
Visit Boston Flower Co. at 468 River Street in Mattapan and learn more about their services online at bostonflowerco.com. |
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