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Neighbors,

On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, the Committee on Business and Economic Development held its organizational meeting for Council Period 26. During this meeting, we established the rules of organization and procedure, setting the foundation for our work ahead.

Looking forward, the Committee on Business and Economic Development will commence performance oversight hearings starting February 5, 2025 and are expected to end on February 26, 2025. These hearings are crucial as they allow us to assess the performance of our government agencies and ensure they are serving the needs of our residents effectively.

As always, I encourage you to stay engaged and participate in these processes. Your insights and feedback are invaluable as we strive to build a more prosperous and equitable community.

Additionally, I want to congratulate the Washington Commanders on their impressive 45-31 victory over the Detroit Lions last week, advancing them to the NFC Championship for the first time since 1991!

We look forward to their upcoming title game against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday, January 26th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Let's rally behind our team as they strive for a Super Bowl berth.

In service,
Kenyan
Hail to the Commanders!
Legislative Updates
CBED Organizational Meeting

This past Wednesday, I convened the Committee on Business & Economic Development for our organizational meeting, which takes place once every council period, at 10:00 AM. During this meeting, we officially adopted the committee’s rules of organization and procedure, which will guide our work throughout the legislative session. These rules are essential to ensuring that our committee operates efficiently, transparently, and in the best interests of residents and businesses across the District.


** Key Focus Areas of the Meeting:
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* Adopting Rules of Procedure: Establishing guidelines to ensure smooth and transparent operations throughout the legislative session.
* Setting Priorities: Laying the groundwork for the committee’s agenda, including:
+ Advancing small business growth.
+ Fostering equitable economic development.
+ Creating opportunities for residents to thrive.
* Building a Strong Foundation: Preparing for a productive council period by aligning goals and strategies.

I am excited about the opportunities this new council period brings. With a strong foundation in place and a clear focus on supporting our businesses and residents, I’m confident we can tackle the challenges ahead and achieve meaningful progress. Our committee is ready to hit the ground running, and I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues and community stakeholders to drive impactful change.

As always, transparency and public engagement are at the forefront of our work. I encourage all residents and stakeholders to stay involved, share your thoughts, and participate in upcoming hearings. Together, we can build a more vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous future for the District.
CBED Performance Oversight Hearing Schedule

I’m excited to announce that the Committee on Business and Economic Development (CBED) Performance Oversight Hearing schedule is here!

These hearings are your opportunity to share your experiences, concerns, and ideas about how our government agencies are performing. This is an essential part of the Council’s work to ensure accountability and transparency in the services that impact residents and businesses across our city.

Here’s what you need to know:

What are Performance Oversight Hearings?
These hearings are where we assess how agencies under the CBED’s purview are meeting their goals and serving the public. From small business support to workforce development, this is your chance to help shape the future of our city's economy.

Who can testify?
Anyone! Whether you’re a resident, business owner, advocate, or stakeholder, your voice matters.

What can you testify about?
You can speak about your personal experiences with an agency, share feedback on programs, highlight areas for improvement, or offer solutions to challenges you’ve identified.

How do you apply to testify?
Testifying is simple! Visit Council Hearings and Meetings ([link removed]) and scroll to find the committee hearings. Once you click on the hearing you’d like to contribute to, you’ll see an option to register to testify or submit written testimony.

Your voice matters, and I look forward to hearing from you!


** Team McDuffie In The Community
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Supporting Safer Streets: WABA's Proposed Move to Brookland

Community Updates: WABA's Move to Brookland
Last Tuesday, Team McDuffie joined a community meeting hosted by ANC 5B04 and the Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association (BNCA) at Right Proper Brewing, in collaboration with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA).

WABA is planning to relocate its operations from Adams Morgan to 1110 Hamlin St NE in Brookland. This move will better position the organization to serve Wards 5, 7, and 8—areas that have experienced the highest number of traffic fatalities and injuries over a five-year period.

To make this relocation possible, WABA is seeking zoning relief (BZA Case 21230) to use the entire existing building as its offices. The Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) hearing is scheduled for March 5, 2025.

This relocation is an important step toward expanding WABA’s reach and impact, supporting their mission to make our streets safer for everyone.
Sit-down with EmpowerEd's Teacher Leaders
On Wednesday, January 22, Team McDuffie welcomed EmpowerEd's teacher leaders to the John A. Wilson Building to meet with me, where they shared their FY 2026 budget priorities. Hearing directly from DCPS and DC public charter school educators about their experiences provided invaluable insights into improving educator support, enhancing the student experience, and addressing the root causes of educational inequity. Their perspectives will inform our budget considerations as we strive to create a more equitable education system for all DC students.


** Small Business Spotlight
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Anacostia Organics

Anacostia Organics, located at 2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, stands as a beacon of progress and community empowerment in Washington, D.C.'s historic Anacostia neighborhood. Established in January 2019, it holds the distinction of being the first medical cannabis dispensary east of the Anacostia River. This pioneering establishment is 100% Black woman-owned, under the leadership of Owner, Board Chair, and CEO Linda Mercado Greene.

Yesterday, Team McDuffie had the pleasure of stopping by Anacostia Organics, to show their support and engage in speak with Ms. Greene. The visit underscored the dispensary's significant role in the community and highlighted the importance of supporting local Black-owned businesses.

Ms. Greene's leadership extends beyond her dispensary. She is also the Founder and CEO of The Linda Greene Group, a public relations and public strategies firm. Her influence has been instrumental in shaping the cannabis industry both locally and nationally, making her a sought-after speaker at various conferences and events.

Anacostia Organics continues to thrive as a cornerstone of the community, offering quality medical cannabis products and serving as a testament to the impact of Black women in entrepreneurship.

Check out their website: [link removed]
Upcoming Events in the Community
3DCAC

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