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

29TH ANNUAL MAYOR’S ENCHANTED TROLLEY TOUR DELIVERS HOLIDAY JOY



On Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment visited 16 stops across Boston's neighborhoods during the 29th Annual Enchanted Trolley Tour.

The Mayor's Enchanted Trolley Tour continued the festive tradition of holiday tree lighting and Santa visits. The Trolley Tour was presented by Bank of America, and supported by CityView Trolley Tours. Thank you to all who joined us this year!

DEPARTMENT OF SUPPLIER DIVERSITY CELEBRATES SUPPLIER DIVERSITY WEEK

From October 27 through October 31, the City of Boston’s Department of Supplier Diversity hosted Supplier Diversity Week in partnership with LiteWork Events, LLC.

Supplier Diversity Week featured a series of free networking events, informational sessions, and workshops designed to highlight and advance diversity and inclusion across Boston’s business community.

As part of the week’s programming, the Department of Supplier Diversity and the City’s Procurement Department published the FY25 Equity in City Contracts Report, which provides insight into how the City’s supplier diversity programs, tools, and initiatives have supported and expanded contracting opportunities for certified minority- and women-owned businesses.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at this year’s Supplier Diversity Week events!

CITY OF BOSTON LICENSING BOARD HOSTS BEER AND WINE UPGRADE WORKSHOP

On November 17, the Boston Licensing Board and the City of Boston’s Office of Small Business hosted a Beer and Wine Upgrade Workshop for current beer and wine licensees interested in learning about what an upgrade to an all alcohol license could mean for their business.

The workshop included a presentation from Danny Green, Executive Secretary for the Boston Licensing Board, who discussed state legislation, eligibility requirements, and the process of upgrading a liquor license.

Irene Shiang Li, CEO of Prepshift, led a session on financial forecasting, planning, and decision-making, offering valuable insights for beer and wine license holders evaluating whether an upgrade is the right decision for their business.

If you are a beer and wine licensee considering upgrading to an all alcohol license, we encourage you to attend the Licensing Board’s office hours held bi-weekly on Wednesdays from 3 pm to 5 pm. 

SPACE GRANTEE ELÖRE ATELIER CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING IN DOWNTOWN BOSTON

On November 5, Elöre Atelier celebrated their grand opening at the Hyatt Regency Boston. 

City of Boston Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu and Director of Business Strategy Alia Hamada Forrest joined founder Salome Kopasz for a ribbon-cutting celebration, along with Michael Nichols, President of the Downtown Boston Alliance, and Shahram Khan, General Manager of the Hyatt Regency Boston.

Elöre Atelier is a Boston-based handcrafted hat brand redefining the art of hat-making. Each piece tells a story of artistry and intention, blending traditional techniques with modern sensibility.

In 2024, Elöre Atelier was awarded a SPACE Grant from the City of Boston. The SPACE Grant program supported 91 Boston businesses with funding to cover rent, build-out, and start-up costs as they filled vacant storefronts across the city.

Learn more about Elöre Atelier at elore.design and visit them at the Hyatt Regency Boston at One Avenue de Lafayette.

MOU SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN KVCA, TIPA, AND ONE WAY VENTURES MARKS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF KOREAN INNOVATION PRESENCE IN BOSTON

On November 18 at the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), One Way Ventures and the Korean Venture Capital Association (KVCA) hosted an event celebrating the growing partnership between Boston and Korea’s innovation ecosystems.

The program featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between KVCA and TIPA (Korea’s tech and SME innovation agency), marking the establishment of a permanent Korean innovation presence in Boston. Director of Business Strategy Alia Forrest attended the event and gave congratulatory remarks on behalf of the City of Boston. Senior officials from Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups and local venture leaders were also in attendance.

OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS HOSTS “PREPARING YOUR BUSINESS FOR SELLING AT MARKETS” PANEL DISCUSSION

On October 21, the Office of Small Business hosted “Preparing Your Business for Selling at Markets,” a panel discussion designed to help small business owners and entrepreneurs succeed in local holiday and seasonal markets.

Attendees learned valuable tips and advice from our panel of experienced market sellers and organizers including:

• Erica Goldstein, Founder of The Blank Canvas Company.
• Kamaal Jarrett, Founder of Hillside Harvest
• Chloe Denelsbeck, Organizer for the Boston Women's Market
• Howard Resnick, Market and Vendor Program Manager for the Downtown Boston Alliance
• Manjarrie Saha, Founder of Mayuur Naturals and PARIVA Yogurt Bites
• Jae’da Turner, Founder of Black Owned Bos.

Thank you to our panelists for sharing expertise and tips for finding success in selling at markets! 

MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR IMMIGRANT ADVANCEMENT (MOIA)

PATHWAY FOR IMMIGRANT WORKERS INFO SESSION

January 8, 2026 | City Hall Civic Pavilion | 6 pm - 7 pm

At this information session, Pathway for Immigrant Workers will share more about green card sponsorship for immigrant workers and answer questions. All interested employers and workers are welcome to attend.

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSION

STARTUP BOSTON: MENTOR MATCHING FOR EARLY-STAGE FOUNDERS

January 12, 2026 | Register to see location | 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Join Startup Boston and City of Boston for an exclusive mentorship event designed to connect early-stage founders with mentors. This event features small, intimate group discussions to encourage meaningful conversations and connections.

SMALL BUSINESS

SMALL BUSINESS TAX PREPARATION WORKSHOP

January 14, 2026 | Virtual | 10 am - 11 am

Join the Boston Tax Help Coalition for a free, virtual workshop for gig workers, freelancers, and small business owners. Learn about available City of Boston resources and see if you qualify for free tax preparation services.

BAY STATE BANNER

City's Supplier Diversity dept. completes first term with successes and goals for the future

City of Boston Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu and Director of Supplier Diversity Andrea Caruth discuss the success of the City's Department of Supplier Diversity over the past four years. [READ MORE]

BAY STATE BANNER

From ironworker to entrepreneur: Maria Storms forges her own path in construction

Maria Storms, founder of MVS Welding LLC, is highlighted in this article where she credits the City's SCALE technical assistance program for helping get her business off the ground. [READ MORE]

BOSTON GLOBE

In downtown Boston, a new luxury hat shop brims with possibilities

In September, Elöre Atelier (a City of Boston SPACE Grant Recipient), Salome Bissa Kopasz’s luxury hat shop, opened on the first floor of the Hyatt Regency Boston. There, Salome painstakingly crafts dramatic headpieces, designed for everyday wear and to last a lifetime — even for people who insist they can’t pull one off. [READ MORE]

BOSTON GLOBE

New Somerville event series Night Cap Radio aims to bring people together for affordable, creative social time

Matt Meyers and Meg Paillis, creators of Night Cap, a community gathering space to showcase the work of local artists and creators, are bringing their next event series to Somerville. Last year, the duo hosted Night Cap Cafe, a temporary, after-hours “coffee lounge” in the lobby of Boston City Hall, with the support of the Office of Nightlife Economy's Wake Up the Night Grant. [READ MORE]

THE TODAY SHOW

How Boston Is Leading the Charge in the Future of Robots

Robots are quickly becoming a part of humans' everyday lives and while some people are still warming up to the new technology, the city of Boston, Massachusetts, is embracing itself is the hub for a robot-friendly future.  [WATCH VIDEO]

WBUR

Here are the first Boston restaurants recognized by the Michelin Guide

WBUR highlights the first Boston restaurants to earn recognition by the Michelin Guide, including Boston's first-ever Michelin star, 311 Omakase, located in the South End. [READ MORE]

Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu with Cruz Companies President and CEO John B. Cruz III and COO Justin Cruz.

BOSTON BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: CRUZ COMPANIES

Last month, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu visited Cruz Companies in Roxbury, He discussed the growth and success of the business with President and CEO John B. Cruz III and COO Justin Cruz. They toured the office together, meeting employees across development and management teams.

Founded in 1948 by John B. Cruz Jr., Cruz Companies is among the most venerated and largest U.S. Black-owned integrated real estate enterprises. Over the decades, the family-held organization established Cruz Development Corporation, with a commitment to creating high-quality housing in even the most challenging contexts, as well as Cruz Management Corp., a property manager for over 1,300 apartments with expertise in relocation services, too. The company also established Cruz C.A.R.E.S., supporting the community through scholarships, enrichment programs, and outdoor adventures.

Earlier this year, Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston’s Office of Small Business honored Cruz Companies with a 2025 Legacy Business Award, celebrating their 75+ years of business and the lasting impact they have made in Boston and beyond. 

Learn more about Cruz Companies at cruzcompanies.com.

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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