We are excited to share the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion August newsletter featuring news, updates, and important information from our Cabinet.

MAYOR MICHELLE WU DECLARES AUGUST 25 TO AUGUST 31, 2025 "FOR THE CULTURE WEEK"

Today, Mayor Michelle Wu officially announced For The Culture Week, taking place August 25 to August 31. For The Culture Week is a multi-day experience that brings 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.

As part of For The Culture Week, Boston welcomes Cash App | Visa Presents The Essence HBCU Classic, with Morehouse College and Johnson C. Smith University facing off at Harvard Stadium on August 30. The football game—and all of the week’s events—is a chance to feel the pride of HBCU tradition and celebrate the rich cultural influence of Boston’s Black communities. 

Earlier in the day, the City of Boston will recognize R&B group New Edition with a street naming ceremony and a community block party, celebrating New Edition’s profound impact on both the Boston community and the music industry. The week will be capped off by the 25th anniversary of Gospel Fest on August 31, which will feature a headline performance by renowned artist John P. Kee.

Mayor Wu, Boston Flower Co. Founder Yanique Shaw, and local community members and elected officials participate in ribbon-cutting ceremony outside Boston Flower Co.

TWO CITY OF BOSTON SPACE GRANT RECIPIENTS CELEBRATE GRAND OPENINGS IN MATTAPAN AND FORT POINT



BOSTON FLOWER CO. OPENS IN MATTAPAN

On Saturday, August 9, Boston Flower Co. celebrated their grand opening at 468 River Street in Mattapan. Mayor Wu, along with staff from the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion and other City of Boston departments, joined founder and owner Yanique Shaw for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new floral and workshop studio.

Boston Flower Co. is one of the 91 recipients of the City of Boston SPACE Grant, which provided funding to assist with expenses related to new lease agreements. In addition, the City's Office of Small Business worked closely with Boston Flower Co. through the ReStore Program, helping bring Boston Flower Co's vision to life through beautifully designed storefront signage.

Anh Vu Sawyer, Donald Wright, artist Yu-Wen Wu, Jeanne Dasaro, and Alia Forrest at Anh55.

ANH55 OPENS IN FORT POINT

On Wednesday, August 13, Anh55 celebrated the grand opening of their studio and showroom at 300 Summer Street in Fort Point.

City of Boston Deputy Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Donald Wright, Director of Business Strategy Alia Forrest, and Business Strategy Manager Jeanne Dasaro presented owner Anh Vu Sawyer with an official citation on behalf of Mayor Wu.

Anh55 is one of the 91 recipients of the City of Boston SPACE Grant. They provide exquisite, well-made ready-to-wear and bespoke clothes for clients of different ages while providing economic development to skilled refugees and immigrants in the Boston area. Their designs and production are at least 90 percent zero-waste.

LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION OFFICE HOURS BEGIN SEPTEMBER 2025

The City of Boston Licensing Board will host virtual Liquor License Application Office Hours every other Wednesday from 3 pm to 5 pm this fall beginning Wednesday, September 10. During Office Hours, Licensing Board staff can answer questions about the liquor license application process.

TOURISM, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT

25TH ANNUAL GOSPEL FEST

August 31, 2025 | Leader Bank Pavilion | 5 pm - 8 pm

This annual City-hosted event is New England's largest Gospel music celebration, featuring performances from a variety of gospel artists. The 25th annual Gospel Fest serves as the finale of For The Culture Week.

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSION

TIME TO GUT-CHECK IT: DO I HAVE A GOOD IDEA FOR MY STARTUP?

September 3, 2025 | Virtual| 9 am - 10 am

Before you build your product, it’s critical to ask: is there truly a market for it? Join Startup Boston and the City of Boston for this session, designed to help first-time founders and aspiring entrepreneurs evaluate whether their startup idea is worth pursuing and how to take the first steps toward establishing product-market fit.

TOURISM, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT

OPEN STREETS DORCHESTER

September 14, 2025 | Dorchester 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.

THE BOSTON GLOBE

Boston launches program to support small minority-, women-owned businesses seeking city contracts

The city of Boston announced on August 5 that it selected 27 small minority- and women-owned businesses to receive grants as part of a new program helping some small businesses gain access to lucrative city contracts. [READ MORE]

BOSTON.COM

City of Boston to honor Roxbury's own New Edition with their own day - and street

"New Edition Day" will honor the band with a street naming and a block party. [READ MORE]

Earlier this month, we visited Top Shelf Cookies at in Adams Village, Dorchester!

Established in 2014, Top Shelf Cookies is a woman-owned craft cookie company with over 200 carefully balanced recipes developed in the past 10 years. They combine high-quality ingredients with meticulous craftsmanship to create cookie perfection in every batch.

Owner Heather Higgins Yunger as she shares her experience as a small business owner, the inspiration behind Top Shelf Cookies, and being a vendor for City of Boston Open Streets events. 

Learn more at topshelfcookies.com and visit them at 516 Gallivan Boulevard, at local farmers markets, and during Open Streets Dorchester on September 14!

SERVICES | EVENTS | NEWS | DEPARTMENTS

Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion

1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201

econdev@boston.gov

617-635-5729

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