OBO Welcomes Assistant Director Cylenthia Hoyrd

OBO Welcomes Assistant Director Cylenthia Hoyrd

The Office of Business Opportunity has a new Assistant Director, Cylenthia Hoyrd, who began her tenure on April 3. Hoyrd will oversee the Certification and Contract Compliance Divisions and the Department Services Unit, as well as lead other operations along with Director Marsha Murray.

“I love the mission of OBO,” AD Hoyrd said. “I come from a family of entrepreneurs, so I understand the struggle of trying to get into certain sectors, and I like helping small businesses.”

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Business Management from Talladega College and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Human Services from Northern Illinois University.

Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Ms. Hoyrd comes to OBO from the Harris Health System where she served as Grant Writer and Staff Engagement Program Lead for the pharmacy and lab departments. She has previously worked for the Illinois Department of Public Health, Chicago Housing Authority and the Houston Public Library in various capacities.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP BACKGROUND: OBO Assistant Director Cylenthia Hoyrd, who comes from a family of entrepreneurs, understands the challenges faced by other small business owners.

"I understand, empathize and support small businesses because I know the work that they do and the communities that they support,” AD Hoyrd said. “I know how difficult it can be, but people still love to do what they do. So we want to support them and help them to be successful.”

Service to God and her community are very important to Ms. Hoyrd. In 2017, she founded a consulting firm that provides professional business consulting and government grant services to clients across the United States.

I understand, empathize and support small businesses because I know the work that they do and the communities they support.

She also founded the LeadHer Tour, a women’s empowerment network that calls successful Black women from across the country to network, learn and grow together. The two-day event covers topics such as finances, real estate, mental and physical health and the state of Black women across the country. Ms. Hoyrd said she loves working with female entrepreneurs, so she established the event to create a space where women can learn from each other.