Black History Month Spotlight: Boyd Cru Wines

As we celebrate Black History Month, we recognize the Black entrepreneurs who are making a lasting impact on our communities and industries. This month, we highlight Boyd Cru Wines, a Black-owned winery dedicated to bringing people together through locally grown wines and shared experiences. 

Founded by Matthew and Jon’ll Boyd, Boyd Cru Wines was born from a love of wine and a desire to create meaningful connections. Their journey began in April 2023 after personal loss inspired them to pursue their passion and build a business centered on community, sustainability and storytelling. Using 100 percent Maryland-grown grapes, they craft vibrant and approachable wines that invite people to celebrate life’s moments together. 

Boyd Cru Wines is set to open a brand new tasting room and community hub in Savage Mill, MD in April 2025. This milestone marks an exciting step forward for Maryland’s first Black family-owned wine company, reflecting both its long-term vision and continued growth.

The tasting room and community hub will serve as a space to further build community, foster connection and promote self-care and self-expression—values that have been central to Boyd Cru Wines from the beginning. Guests will have the opportunity to experience their wines in a fresh and engaging way while becoming part of a larger movement that celebrates culture and connection.

To stay updated on the build-out progress, grand opening events and special festivities, sign up for the Boyd Cru Wines newsletter at www.boydcruwines.com. The team looks forward to inviting guests to "sip outside the lines" and be part of this exciting new chapter.

Find Your Next Opportunity at the Federal Workers Career Fair

Howard County is committed to supporting our federal employees and contractors during this time of transition. As part of our expanded efforts to provide career and employment resources, the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) is hosting a Federal Workers Career Fair on Tuesday, February 25, at 6:00 p.m. at Howard Community College’s Dwight A. Burrill Galleria.

This free event will connect attendees with public- and private-sector employers actively hiring, as well as career support services, including resumé building assistance and job search guidance. Plus, participants will have the opportunity to get a professional headshot taken at no cost—an essential tool for making a great first impression in today’s job market.

Pushing Boundaries Through Art: Sieva Smith’s Bold Vision on Display

We're excited to showcase more creative entrepreneurs in our Accelerator space, featuring over 20 unique pieces of art available for purchase. Our featured artist this week is Sieva Smith, an artist known for her bold and boundary-pushing approach to artistic expression.

Through risk-taking and collaboration, Sieva continuously challenges conventional norms, expanding the possibilities of her craft. Her work draws inspiration from unexpected sources, capturing diverse perspectives and inviting viewers to embrace a fresh and transformative view of the world. Each piece reflects her fearless creativity, offering a unique lens through which to experience art.

Visit the Accelerator space to explore Sieva’s work and discover how art can inspire new ways of thinking. Whether you are looking to add a statement piece to your collection or support local talent, this exhibit is an opportunity to engage with dynamic, thought-provoking art.

Stop by to view Sieva Smith’s collection and the work of other talented artists on display. Every piece tells a story—find one that speaks to you.

2025 Howard County Business Outlook Lunch: Insights for the Year Ahead

Join business leaders, policymakers and industry experts at the 2025 Howard County Business Outlook Lunch, a premier event designed to provide valuable economic insights and forecasts for the year ahead.

Hosted by the Howard County Chamber and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, this annual gathering brings together professionals from across the region to discuss key economic trends, policy updates and business opportunities that will shape Howard County’s future. Attendees will hear from county leadership and economic experts, gaining firsthand knowledge about market conditions, growth strategies and emerging challenges affecting local businesses.

Ignite Innovation: Design Thinking for Real-World Solutions

Don’t wait for lightning to strike—make it strike. Design thinking, also known as human-centered design, is a powerful problem-solving methodology used by top consulting firms, startups and innovators to create solutions that people actually need. This approach isn’t just for driving profit—it can be applied to any challenge, helping you harness your creativity on demand.

Join us for a four-week seminar, held Wednesday evenings from February 26 – March 19, where you’ll gain practical tools to cut through ambiguity and make informed decisions. Thanks to a generous Howard County grant, you will have free access to one-on-one instructor consultations during the course, allowing you to apply what you learn in real-time. Plus, to make it easier to fit into your busy schedule, food will be provided at each session.

Note: Attendance at all four sessions is highly encouraged, as each builds upon the previous one to take you through the full design thinking process.

HoCo Higher: FastTrac Accelerator

Your 10-Week Path to Launching a Thriving Business

HoCo Higher: FastTrac Accelerator is a 10-week program designed for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs ready to launch their businesses. Over 30 hours of in-person group coaching at the Maryland Innovation Center, you'll work closely with business coaches and peers to turn your entrepreneurial vision into a fully developed, researched and tested plan. With 24/7 access to on-demand content, templates, and tools, this accelerator will guide you through each step of the entrepreneurial journey. The curriculum follows the Kauffman FastTrac program.

Recent Highlights: What You Need to Know

• The Winter IT Hiring Event on January 30th brought together top employers and job seekers—check out the event photos here. Learn More

• Join us on February 12th for a discussion on developing workforce pipeline and explore how Registered Apprenticeship programs can provide an effective solution for your organization. RSVP Today

• Join the #HoCoChamber on February 13th for insightful panel discussion designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate the funding landscape. Learn More