Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has named Segun Idowu, a leading voice for equity in Boston’s business community, to be her administration’s top economic development official.
Idowu is currently the president and CEO of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts and announced he will be stepping down from that role to join the Wu administration. At BECMA, Idowu championed the interests of Black-owned and minority-owned businesses, pushing banks and municipalities to offer more opportunities to these firms, which have historically had a harder time obtaining credit from lenders and contracts from cities, particularly Boston.
Wu also renamed the post Idowu will be taking, from “chief of economic development” to “chief of economic opportunity and inclusion” to reflect a changed brief. Idowu will lead the city’s efforts to advance neighborhood economic development, support business growth and formation and spearhead reforms to city contracting, all with a goal of closing the racial wealth gap and expanding equitable job and business opportunities for Boston residents, Wu’s office said when announcing the appointment Friday afternoon.
“Segun Idowu has expanded our vision for what is possible when we champion inclusive business and economic development and use our city’s resources to build wealth and opportunity in every community,” Wu said in a statement. “I’ve worked alongside Segun to require equitable city contracting and ensure that Boston invests in building wealth in our communities. I’m thrilled that Segun will be leading our efforts to grow a thriving, inclusive and equitable economy as the Chief of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion.”
“I am grateful to Mayor Wu for giving me this opportunity to serve the city I love and grew up in in this way,” Idowu said in a statement. “I am excited at the prospect of working with my colleagues in an administration keenly focused on making Boston an equitable world-class city for all.”
Interim Chief of Economic Development Midori Morikawa would continue to serve in the role through the end of the year and then transition into a new city role supporting neighborhood economic growth.
