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*Spring Edition 2023*

* A Message From The Interim Director [ #link_1 ]
* Small Business Resource Center Series [ #link_6 ]
* DLCP In the News: Round Table For Tobacco Free Kids Event [ #link_3 ]
* DLCP LGBTQ+ Affairs Roundtable [ #link_5 ]
* DLCP Closed For Independence Day [ #link_8 ]
* Please Join Us: DLCP Ward 8 Workshop Event [ #link_9 ]
* Street and Sidewalk Vending Workshop Series [ #link_7 ]
* DC Chamber Of Commerce 2023 Small Business Summit [ #link_10 ]
* 2023 Washington DC Economic Partnership Annual Meeting [ #link_4 ]
* Contact DLCP [ #link_2 ]
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A Message From The Interim Director

Shirley Kwan-Hui [ [link removed] ]

Dear DLCP Customers,

It's hard to believe that summer is here! As we look forward to the warmer weather, I can't help but to reflect on the progress that the agency has made.? This is with many thanks to the hard work of our highly skilled and dedicated staff.

Since April, the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) has hosted three Street and Sidewalk Vending Workshops where each centered the experiences of either the Asian and Pacific Islander (API), Caribbean or African communities.

These workshops provided culturally competent resources to those whom we serve and allowed our agency to both learn and hear how we can best address the diverse and specific needs of the District's vendors. Our next workshop will take place on July 13 and is co-chaired by both the Mayor's Office on African American Affairs (MOAAA) and the Mayor's Office of Nightlife and Culture (MONC).??

In May, our small Business Resource Center (SBRC) team presented the "Small Business Month Series" where we assisted more than 380 total attendees. The primary focus of this series was to provide resources to aid burgeoning?and growing business owners across the life cycle of their?businesses.

Since our March newsletter [ [link removed] ], our team has continued to enforce the?Flavored Tobacco Product Prohibition Amendment Act of 2021 [ [link removed] ].? I'm proud to share that we've seen an impressive 73% drop in the number of noncompliant businesses. I sincerely thank our DLCP staff, particularly in both the Consumer Protection and Enforcement Units, for their focused efforts and attention to this matter.

In May, our team hosted weekly community roundtable discussions across the District to promote youth tobacco prevention. These roundtables shared with community stakeholders how the enforcement of the Flavored Tobacco Prohibition law helps prevent youth tobacco use and promotes health equity in the District.

Various other community partners, including DC Health and the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, shared other important messages in this conversation, such as the dangers of tobacco and electronic smoking device use, how to best promote youth tobacco prevention, and why this act is particularly important to communities of color.?If you were unable to join these discussions, you can view them?here [ [link removed] ].??

In recognition of Pride Month,?DLCP is excited to be partnering?with the Mayor?s Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Affairs (MOLGBTQA) and the Mayor's Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) to host a virtual community roundtable discussion that will center the lived experiences of both families of color and families of children with varying affectional and gender orientations. These communities are heavily marketed to initiate and use tobacco as young persons; our enforcement seeks to be conscious of how we can best help keep all kids safe.?

We believe that it is our mission to help businesses and consumers to thrive so that the American Dream is possible for everyone. I'm proud of all that we do every day in our work.?

To those we serve, I thank you for your continued engagement with us and for sharing feedback on how our agency can be more efficient and effective in serving the needs of all those who work, live and visit the District.?

Best Regards.?


Shirley Kwan-Hui

Shirley Kwan-Hui
Interim Director

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Small Business Resource Center Series

SBRC workshop

After a two-year hiatus of in-person sessions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DLCP's SBRC team excitedly hosted a series of special workshops last month.

Small Business Month, celebrated annually during the month of May, is a special tribute to celebrate the courage, community efforts, and hard work of America's small business industry.?

Here at DLCP, what was originally hosted as Small Business Week has evolved into a full month of activities with different skill and resource-based workshops that are designed to provide information for aspiring and current entrepreneurs to launch, grow and evolve their businesses.?

A highlight among our many sessions this year was a session entitled: "Find Funding For Your Business." During this well-attended workshop,?speakers from private banking, government agencies, and non-profit organizations gave insight on how to get a business established and how to best move it forward.

Another important event took place on May 31, where in partnership with the Latino Economic Development Center, attendees learned about budgeting principles and the fundamentals of growing a business.?

sbrcc

Overall, more than 380 attendees learned various strategies on business planning, the regulatory process of obtaining a business license, and best- practices sharing for business development.

We thank our SBRC team for their commitment to help grow and build resilient businesses in the District.

Our SBRC team regularly conducts workshops for? the District's aspiring and current business owners.? You can learn more here [ [link removed] ].



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DLCP In the News: Round Table For Tobacco Free Kids Event

Fox 5 DC DLCP flavored tobacco

Interim Director Shirley Kwan-Hui is pictured here in a live interview with FOX 5 DC providing information on the Community Roundtable for Tobacco Free Kids Series

DLCP would like to thank stakeholders, like the Anacostia Business Improvement District (BID), District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL), Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and the many other community partners such as the Campaign for the Tobacco Free Kids that helped us to execute the Community Roundtable For Tobacco-Free Kids Series last month.?

In this weekly discussion series, held in partnership with DC Health and MOCA, a host of community organizations, health professionals and community advocates spoke about the Flavored Tobacco Product Prohibition Amendment Act of 2021 and the dangers of tobacco use to parents of middle and high school students, the students themselves and engaged community members.?

Since October 1, 2022, DLCP has been working steadfastly to enforce the new law, which:


* Prohibits the sale of all flavored tobacco?including flavored synthetic nicotine products; and?
* Prohibits the sale of all electronic smoking devices within a quarter mile of any District middle or high school.

As part of what we learned and heard while conducting this series, we've updated our?FAQs [ [link removed] ]on this issue and will continue to keep consumers informed by updating the listing examples?of prohibited tobacco products [ [link removed] ] over time.

Violations may be reported to the DLCP Consumer Protection Unit (CPU)by filling out the consumer protection complaint request form. [ [link removed] ]

For more information about flavored tobacco, click here [ [link removed] ].?

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DLCP LGBTQ+ Affairs Roundtable

tobacco free pride

As Pride Month ends, DLCP is proud to announce a Community Round Table For Tobacco-Free Kids that will specifically address tobacco use and its initiation in non-heterosexual communities and families of color.?

This event will raise awareness about the harmful effects of any business selling tobacco and electronic smoking devices within a quarter mile from a District middle or high school.? This workshop will be presented collaboratively with DC Health, MOCA, MOAAA, and the MOLGBTQA.

Families will have an opportunity to speak with health professionals about the dangers of flavored tobacco and e-cigarettes.

We invite you to be a part of this timely topic on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 12:00 pm. You can register?here [ [link removed] ].

For other assistance please contact DLCP at (202) 671-4500 in advance for any accessibility needs.

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DLCP Closed For Independence Day

independence day

In observance of Independence Day, DLCP will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. We will resume normal business hours on Wednesday, July 5.

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Please Join Us: DLCP Ward 8 Workshop Event

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On July 17, DLCP staff will host two events: "DLCP, Who Are We?" and a? Street and Sidewalk Vending workshop.? Hosted in partnership with the MOCA, these sessions both are designed toward the specific needs of vendors and residents in Ward 8.?

Attendees will learn more about the services DLCP offers for residents in the District in our first session which will begin at 3 pm.? If you would like to register, click here [ [link removed] ].

At 5pm, information will also be provided on sidewalk vending applications and renewals, application timelines, associated fees, and point of contact for sidewalk vending.?If you would like to register, click here [ [link removed] ].

Interested persons must register for each event separately.? In-person attendance will take place at the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center.

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Street and Sidewalk Vending Workshop Series

Street Vending Recap

Recently, DLCP has continued to host its series of street and sidewalk vending workshops. These workshops, both operating virtually and in-person, are designed to help entrepreneurs and existing vendors to fully understand and successfully complete the business licensing and compliance process.

MOCA

On June 15, the Street and Sidewalk Vending Workshop Series, in partnership with the?MOCCA, successfully hosted more than 50 persons in the Caribbean community.

Additionally, all existing and potential vendors were also invited to learn about renewal application requirements and the various class and site permit fees.?

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On May 25, in partnership with the MOAA, another Street and Sidewalk Vending Workshop was hosted at the Frank D. Reeves Municipal Center.?This workshop was primarily focused on answering questions the public may have about vending licensing and compliance requirements.? There,?Interim Director Kwan-Hui said: "Time is money! I thank everyone for investing your time to learn more about the information on vending and street licensing."

Our workshop on April 11 was held in partnership with the MOAPIA and focused on business licensing needs in the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Over 50 attendees learned about the application timelines, fees and contact information for sidewalk vending.

These events are a part of DLCP's Fiscal Year strategic initiatives which include expanding our outreach to the community and strengthening relationships with District leaders so that we can continue to hear and know the needs of those we serve.

july 13

The next workshop is scheduled for July 13 and is co-chaired by both MOAAA and the MONC. Stay tuned as more workshops will be announced soon.

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DC Chamber Of Commerce 2023 Small Business Summit

DC Business Summit

Interim Director Shirley Kwan-Hui is pictured here with Small Business Resource Center Program Analyst Claudia Herrera, Program Support Specialist Sharon Thornton, Special Assistant Shantell Thompson-Weaver, SBRC Program Support Specialist Aurice Long, Interim Program Manager Jacqueline Noisette, Deputy Associate Administrator Harriett Broadie, Superintendent of Corporations Rebecca Janovich and Communications Manager Charles Basham III

On May 9, 2023, the DC Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2023 Small Business Summit where entrepreneurs gained practical advice in identifying growth opportunities, building a strong business foundation, and learning new ways of overcoming the common challenges faced by small business owners.?

DC Business Summit (2)

"Create Your Own Success: A Workshop on Starting Your Business" was the topic Interim Director Shirley Kwan-Hui shared to business owners.? Her speech focused on understanding the requirements to be licensed to do business in the District and the changing landscape of the needs of today's consumers.?Of this, she said:?"Customer expectations are always changing, so it?s important to know your product, what works and what doesn?t work."



DLCP's Business and Professional Licensing Administration Deputy Associate Administrator Harriett Broadie was also a panelist; she shared the importance of obtaining a license and a business permit.

DLCP is proud to be a part of these opportunities as it strengthens our relationships with local stakeholders while also helping entrepreneurs to flourish in the District.?

DC Business Summit (3)

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2023 Washington DC Economic Partnership Annual Meeting

DLCP group photo

Interim Director Shirley Kwan-Hui is pictured here with Director of Legislative Affairs Aimellia Siemson, Program Manager Anisah Crosby, Interim Program Manager Jacqueline Noisette, Superintendent of Corporations Rebecca Janovich, Business License Center Manager Louise Peterson, Account Manager Inez Saki-Tay, Customer Service Program Manager Donise Peace, and BPLA Operations Manager Melanie Henderson

On April 13, 2023, Interim Director Shirley Kwan-Hui, along with other DLCP staff, joined community leaders at the?2023?Washington DC Economic Partnership?s (WDCEP) Annual Meeting.?

This year's theme was: "The Shape of DC"--the state of our economy and how we can reshape both our physical spaces and the future of DC business.

DC Economic Partnership

This event attracted more than 700 leaders, visionaries, and stakeholders in DC's business community and celebrated the economic development and accomplishments of our city.

It also marked the release of the annual?DC Development Report [ [link removed] ], a comprehensive summary of the current and future development of important construction projects in the District.



DLCP and?WDCEP both work to foster local business growth and to build an equitable community. This event was an important opportunity to connect with mutual stakeholders and for leaders to interact face-to-face.

DC economic

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Contact DLCP

Contact DLCP via email <[email protected]>, or our online inquiry form [ [link removed] ] at any time. We?re also available through the live chat on dlcp.dc.gov [ [link removed] ] or by phone at 202-671-4500 during normal business hours.?





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