波士頓經濟機會和包容辦公室月刊

WELCOME 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. SMALL BUSINESS 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. LEARN MORE AND NOMINATE A BUSINESS BUSINESS STRATEGY 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. LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM TOURISM, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT 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. LICENSING BOARD   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. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER   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. LEARN 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. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER 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. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER 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. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER 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]   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. WATCH THE VIDEO

MA Unemployment Remains at 4.8%, Unchanged for Fourth Consecutive Month

 Unemployment Remains at 4.8%, Unchanged for Fourth Consecutive Month

Labor force grows by 2,100

 

BOSTON – Today, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) released Massachusetts unemployment and job estimates for August, with preliminary data indicating 3,600 more Massachusetts residents gained employment, which includes individuals in private and non-profit jobs plus self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs, while payroll jobs decreased by 3,800. This follows a revised increase of 2,100 payroll jobs in July. 

 

Additionally, 2,100 individuals in August entered the Massachusetts labor force for a total of approximately 3,963,700. The labor force participation rate (66.9%) and unemployment rate (4.8%) remained unchanged. Preliminary data is based on survey data provided by the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 

 

Despite a net loss in payroll jobs this month, there was some positive growth in BLS categories including 1) Professional, Scientific, Business Service (+1,000), 2) Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+900), and 3) Other Services (+700). In addition to payroll data, BLS also reports preliminary data that indicates 3,600 more Massachusetts residents were employed in August and 22,300 over-the-year. Employed residents’ data includes individuals who are self-employed (e.g. contractors, physicians, and drivers) and is not captured in payroll job data.

 

“While this latest report offers a sign of somewhat stability amid economic uncertainty, the Healey-Driscoll administration remains focused on the people within our workforce—impacted workers seeking unemployment benefits, unemployed and underemployed individuals ready to access the job market and training opportunities, and employers eager to find skilled workers or to collaborate with training providers to attract, retain, and develop talent in Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones.

 

"The good news this month is that the Massachusetts labor market shows signs of continued stability, even as the national economic picture worsens,” said EOLWD’s Department of Economic Research Chief Economist Mark Rembert. “Yet, it's a complex and delicate stability. The unemployment rate is stable but remains elevated for some workers, particularly young workers. Employment is stable, but job growth has slowed, nationally and in Massachusetts. Job postings remain stable, but the hiring outlook is uncertain. This combination continues to create a challenging environment for job seekers.”

 

The Healey-Driscoll administration’s workforce agenda continues to be a resource to collaborate with workforce partners in attracting, retaining, and developing talent in Massachusetts. A few highlights that connect to this strategy includes:

• This month, the Healey-Driscoll administration celebrated the award of more than $6 million by the US Department of Labor (USDOL) for Massachusetts to expand Registered Apprenticeship and early childhood educator apprenticeships.
• The administration recently awarded $3 million in Adult Education and Workforce Training Grants to help over 600 residents gain the language skills they need to succeed in in-demand jobs, connect to career pathways, and fully participate in the state’s economy.
• The administration also awarded $290,000 in August for job training for young adults with disabilities.
• Earlier this week, Governor Healey convened the first meeting of the DRIVE Initiative, bringing together leaders in health care, research, academia, and industry focused on retaining world-class talent and strengthening the innovation economy in regions statewide. As part of this initiative, DRIVE will feature a sub-committee focused on jobs and talent. 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE MONTHLY JOBS AND EMPLOYMENT REPORT

 

The Massachusetts labor force grew by an estimated 2,100 individuals in the past month, bringing the estimated labor force to 3,963,700. The state’s labor force participation rate remained at 66.9 percent. The state’s preliminary unemployment rate in August remained at 4.8 percent. Additional takeaways include:

 

• Estimated payroll jobs decreased in August by 3,800. The largest gains were in Professional, Scientific, Business Service (+1,000), Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+900), and Other Services (+700). This follows a revised increase of 2,100 payroll jobs in July.

 

• Estimated Employed Residents increased in August by 3,600, which include self-employed individuals. Over the year, 22,300 more Massachusetts residents have gained employment.

 

• The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) remained at 66.9% and is 4.6 percentage points higher than the national average. Since January 2023, Massachusetts labor force has increased by 195,000, a 5.2 percent change which places Massachusetts in the top 5 among states.

 

For a detailed overview of the BLS data, please visit mass.gov/economicresearch and August BLS Unemployment and Jobs Estimates  . 

 

Labor Market Quick Links

 

Massachusetts Labor Market Data & Resources

Visit the recently updated mass.gov/EconomicResearch to explore dashboards and access labor market data, trends, and research insights. Find information about unemployment, labor force participation, occupations, industries, and more for Massachusetts and its regions.

Labor Market Information 101

Learn about the different types of labor market information (LMI) resources offered by the Department of Economic Research.

 

2025 Massachusetts Workforce Data Report & Dashboard

Access workforce demographic data collected from Massachusetts employers, including race/ethnicity, gender, job title, and industry. View key insights or read the full report, plus explore an interactive dashboard and download aggregate data.

 

Employer and Jobseeker Resources

 

MassTalent

Massachusetts employers and residents can visit MassTalent and create a free MassHire JobQuest account, for employers to search for talent and for jobseekers to access job openings and explore opportunities like Advanced Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Clean Energy, Technology, and Health and Human Services. 

 

Employers looking to promote job openings, recruit for talent, or explore available job training programs to attract, retain, or develop their workforce can benefit from the menu of employer resources available through MassHire. Visit mass.gov/Workforce.

 

MassHire career centers and online services are available for jobseekers in between jobs, seeking a new opportunity, or aiming for career growth. MassHire’s comprehensive services include personalized career guidance, informative workshops, specialized training programs, valuable job referrals, expert resume assistance, and access to a wide array of job listings. Visit mass.gov/CareerCenters. Visit here.

 

Note: The unemployment rate is based on a household survey, while job estimates come from an employer survey. Because these surveys are separate, the two statistics may show different trends from month to month. The Unemployment and Jobs Report for September is scheduled for released on October 17, 2025.

麻州參議會支持 2026年初選日訂在9月1日

 Senate Approves September 1, 2026 Primary Election Date 

Bill Sets Optimal Date for Voter Participation 

(BOSTON—09/18/2025) The Senate on Thursday enacted legislation setting next year’s state primary election date on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. 

The Legislature’s action is a standard step in the lead up to an election year to ensure the primary date complies with state and federal requirements. The legislation, H.4531, ensures that local clerks are given necessary time to send and process vote-by-mail ballots for Massachusetts residents, and gives election officials the ability to meet a required federal timeline for sending ballots to military service members and citizens overseas. 

“It is always important to be proactive in setting the primary election to ensure we select a date that encourages voter participation,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I am glad that we settled the date a year in advance, giving voters ample time for public awareness and giving our hardworking election administrators ample time to prepare.” 

“Given the calendar, holidays, requirements that we allow time for overseas ballots, including for members of the military, and to allow time for the printing of ballots, setting a date can sometimes be difficult. This legislation will put the Commonwealth in position to meet these obligations and run another smooth, safe, and secure primary election on September 1, 2026,” said Senator John F. Keenan (D-Quincy), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws. “Now, more than ever, our democratic process must remain steadfast in the face of unprecedented federal uncertainty.” 

Standard deadlines associated with the election calendar are also set by the bill, such as a September 3, 2026 due date for recount petitions and a September 19, 2026 deadline for military and overseas voters to apply for absentee ballots for the general election. Next year’s general election is set by state law on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. 

The Secretary of the Commonwealth last month recommended a September 1, 2026 primary date to the Governor, following which the Governor included the recommendation in a message to the General Court. 

The legislation was passed by the Senate a day after it was approved in the House of Representatives. Both branches of the Legislature enacted the bill on Thursday to send it to the Governor for her signature. 

MAYOR WU AND BOSTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT CELEBRATE IMPROVEMENTS TO CODMAN SQUARE PARK

MAYOR WU AND BOSTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT CELEBRATE IMPROVEMENTS TO CODMAN SQUARE PARK

BOSTON – Friday, September 19, 2025 – Mayor Michelle Wu joined Interim Boston Parks Commissioner Cathy Baker-Eclipse, elected officials, and residents to cut the ribbon on improvements to Codman Square Park in Dorchester. The celebration marks a $1.1 million investment to strengthen Codman Square Park as a vibrant community gathering space. The project improves accessibility, upgrades areas for events and daily use, adds climate-resilient features, and introduces a new artistic element that reflects the neighborhood’s cultural diversity. “We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of this revitalized community space. Our investment in Codman Square Park and in the parks throughout our city builds on Boston’s progress creating community gathering spaces that are not only vibrant but accessible to all residents,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This collaborative effort delivers long-needed improvements to Codman Park, reimagining and redefining what our public parks can be.” Upgrades to Codman Square Park include climate-resilient cooling towers, rain gardens, and porous paving to manage heat and stormwater. A new performance stage, lawn mounds for seating, and a renovated monument and memorial bench provide spaces for gathering and reflection. The community bulletin board, café seating, updated lighting, water bottle filling stations, and new power access will also support everyday use as well as special events such as the beloved Codman Square Farmer’s Market.  “The improvements at Codman Square Park show what’s possible when community voices and City resources come together,” said Interim Boston Parks and Recreation Commissioner Cathy Baker-Eclipse. “These investments make the park more welcoming and accessible while ensuring it can serve as a resilient gathering place for generations to come. We are grateful to the Friends of Codman Square and all of our City partners for helping bring this vision to life.”  This $1.1 million project was made possible through City capital funding, Community Preservation Act resources, and additional funding from the Office of Green Infrastructure and Climate Ready Streets. Together, these investments allowed the city to deliver long-needed park improvements, as well as new climate-resilient features. The $1.1 million project included $100,000 for design and $998,955 for construction, funded in the City’s Five-Year Capital Plan, with supplementary funding of $150,000 provided through the Community Preservation Act. Aspects of the project were supported by the Office of Green Infrastructure, Environment Department, and Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics, allowing the inclusion of Green Stormwater Infrastructure and Climate Resilient Cooling Misting Towers to ensure the park remains sustainable and climate-ready. Design work was led by Kyle Zick Landscape Architecture, and construction was completed by ANJ Construction.  A key feature of the renovation is the “I Am Codman Sq” sculpture at the Washington and Talbot Streets entrance. Sculpted by artist Destiny Palmer, in collaboration with metalwork artist Alaina Mahoney, the work celebrates both the history and the rich cultural vibrancy of Codman Square. Seed funding for the sculpture was provided by a 2019 Edward Ingersoll Browne Fund grant secured by the Codman Square Neighborhood Council, helping to ensure that public art plays a central role in the new park design. "Codman Square Park is an example of our city investing in building up its neighborhoods with community input. The new park will give residents and customers in the area an important public gathering spot," said City Councilor Brian Worrell. "I hope this can help attract new businesses and spark investment in our storefronts in this area during a pivotal moment for Codman Square." "I would like to thank the Friends of Codman Square Park, the Codman Square Neighborhood Council, Mayor Wu, Parks and Recreation, the CPA team, and the many folks from the community who contributed countless hours to make the park a reality,” said State Representative Russell Holmes. “The park is a shining example of success for future generations of a community driven collaborative effort that considers the many voices and backgrounds that make Dorchester such a great community to live, work, and play." Codman Square Park is a true example of collaboration between City departments and the local community. The Codman Square Neighborhood Council (CSNC) played a key role in getting the park renovation into the Boston Parks pipeline. The project’s seed was planted in 2018, when CSNC, through Cynthia Loesch-Johnson, received an Edward Ingersoll Browne Fund award to fund the design of a master plan connecting the park with the adjacent Second Church landscape. Four community meetings were held beginning in 2022 and feedback from residents directly informed the design.  “We are thrilled for the Codman Square Park to be open. The Friends of Codman Square Park has worked diligently over the years to engage the community in a planning, designing and implementation process with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department,” said Cynthia Loesch-Johnson, President of the Codman Square Neighborhood Council. “The new design and powerful art installation will assist with activating the square and reimagining how we use this open space. We are excited for the return of the Codman Square Farmers Market and the many new events to take place in the park.” For more information, visit boston.gov/codman-square. To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks visit boston.gov/parks, call (617) 635-4505, join our email list, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, Instagram, and @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky.

王力遠、邱信淳、Ian Tonkas創辦LOOP CO2 變二氧化碳為可降解塑料

麻州參議員James B. Eldridge（右起）送上表揚狀，嘉許Loop CO2
公司共同創辦人，王力遠，邱信淳，Ian Tonkas為麻州的清潔環境做貢獻。
(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 王力遠、邱信淳和Ian Tonks博士攜手創辦，致力環保減碳，把二氧化碳轉化為可降解高性能聚合物的Loop CO2，9月17日在馬伯洛夫 （Marlborough）慶祝新實驗室剪綵開張，奠定成為能源界新星的里程碑。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏（右二）和科技組組長蔡孟勳（左一），
麻州參議員James B. Eldridge（左二）恭喜王力遠（中）、邱信淳（右一）
創辦的LOOP CO2踏上新的里程碑。(周菊子攝)

           Loop CO2執行長，台大機械系畢業，曾在鴻海工作10年的王力遠表示，明尼蘇達大學化學系副系主任Ian Tonka在5年前研發出人們努力40多年都未做到的，把二氧化碳基單體變成聚合物，成爲製造人們日常生活用品的材料，還可分解，並重複使用，製成塑料，將可大幅減少化石燃料（fossil fuel）使用量，甚至全面改善世界上的環境污染問題。

台灣人創辦的Loop CO2，剪綵開張新實驗室。(周菊子攝)

            王力遠，Tonkas博士和曾任職杜邦（Du Pont）的邱信淳合作成立Loop CO2後，經麻州生物醫藥計畫（MBI）輔導，和不下80多家企業洽談，做過3次產品路線調整，3年前又得到美國能源部2輪共190萬美元，麻州創業（Mass Venture）和麻州清潔能源中心（ＭassCEC）的Catalyst DICE7萬5千元和START 10萬美元的經費支持，進一步研發透過專有的二氧化碳衍生單體和可擴展製程，來開發減少碳足跡的材料。目前已有包括低 VOC 丙烯酸塗料，不含 BPA 的環氧樹脂，可生物降解的聚酯，化學可回收的聚氨酯，以及可用於消費電子和店電動車電池的可剝離黏合劑等類別，奠定了公司發展基礎。

            Loop CO2的新實驗室，設址麻州Marlborough，佔地3,000平方英尺，新近裝配完工16英尺高的蒸餾塔和20升高壓反應釜，將繼續開發高功能，可剝離和可升級再造的二氧化碳基聚合物。

            駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長廖朝宏獲悉在大波士頓的台灣人，創辦了一家對自然環境這麼有益的公司，大表讚許，特地率同經文處副組長許欽琮，科技組組長蔡孟勳，專程前往祝賀。

            麻州參議員James B. Eldridge，麻州生物醫藥計畫（MBI）執行副總裁沈組汀 （Zu Shen），麻州企業發展辦公室中麻州區域主任Kevin Kuros，麻州經濟發展公司（MEDC）主任Meredith Harris，ＭassCEC 的Catrina Damrell馬伯洛夫區域商會會長/執行長Michelle A. Mercier，以及來自育成中心Greentown Labs的嘉賓，這天也專程出席致賀。（訂正，更新版）

PLANNING DEPARTMENT PRESENTS $140,000 IN COMMUNITY BENEFITS TO NONPROFITS SERVING DORCHESTER

PLANNING DEPARTMENT PRESENTS $140,000 IN COMMUNITY BENEFITS TO NONPROFITS SERVING DORCHESTER

BOSTON - September 19, 2025 - Members of the Planning Department presented 22 community organizations serving the Dorchester neighborhood with a total of $140,000 in community benefits funding at an awards ceremony Thursday at JustBook-ish. The organizations that are being recognized with this funding focus on various public services including: community development, youth programming, and promoting the arts in Boston. The organizations that received the largest amounts of money were the Teen Center at St. Peter’s and the MassArt Foundation. The funding is a result of the South Bay Town Center project. “I’m proud that we were able to make this funding available to organizations that do such great work in the Dorchester community,” said Chief of Planning Kairos Shen. “I want to thank the community for their advocacy for these funds, and the development team for their collaboration.” The Teen Center at St. Peter’s, which received $11,000, supports hundreds of students in the Dorchester area by providing them with programs and activities to increase their self-esteem, as well as providing the necessary tools for them to succeed personally, academically, and within their communities. The organization plans to use this funding to support their Teen Cafes, which take place every Friday and include free youth-led activities such as music, poetry, and spoken word. These events allow teens to build connections, express themselves, and develop leadership skills.  “This grant is a tremendous benefit to our after-school program, allowing us to expand resources, provide quality enrichment activities, and support more students in a safe, nurturing environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive,” said Assistant Director for the Catholic Charities Teen Center at St. Peter’s Lucas Medina. The MassArt Foundation, which received $8,000, is the fundraising arm of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. With this funding, the organization plans to expand its Chain Link Gallery exhibitions, which are outdoor gallery installations that allow community members to convene and enjoy art, free of charge, and enable local artists to express their diverse work.  “The Chain Link Galleries grew from a simple idea—that art belongs in our daily lives—and with support from the Boston Planning Department, that vision has flourished,” said Center for Art and Community Partnerships Associate Director and Director of sparc! the ArtMobile Ekua Holmes. "Their investment helps us transform everyday fences around the City into vibrant, open-air galleries that reflect the creativity, resilience, and voices of our communities.” In addition, local organization Words as Worlds, received more than $5,000 in grant funding, which will allow them to provide a selection of social justice themed books that cater to Dorchester. Words as Worlds is the non-profit organization in charge of events and programming, that owns bookstore, (for-profit subsidiary) JustBook-ish. "We have been immensely grateful to have received this funding. We used our grant to purchase initial inventory so that we could in fact open our literary gathering space to community members," said Words as Worlds and JustBook-ish Co-Founder Porsha Olayiwola. "It wouldn’t have been possible to have this space and the curation of literature without everyone pitching in, especially South Bay! We are excited to keep the work going by offering this third space and a plethora of high-quality, free programming and events for folks.”