John,

Our small businesses, particularly our minority and women-owned small businesses, play such a pivotal role in the overall economic success and cultural richness of the District. As Chair of the Council’s Business and Economic Development Committee, I've spent the last five years engaging the small business community to come up with ways to help grow our local economy. I have been fighting every day to make sure our favorite neighborhood stores and restaurants keep the boards off the windows and DC resident employees on the payroll.  

Some of the key accomplishments on the Council I’m most proud of spearheading include:

• Establishing a $100 million grant program for eligible businesses to aid their recovery from the pandemic, with a portion of the funding that goes specifically to restaurants and retailers that are owned by women or economically disadvantaged individuals.
  
  
• Creating and securing funding for the Commercial Property Acquisition Fund to allow local socially disadvantaged business owners to apply for grants to purchase their commercial property right here in the District.
  
  
• Securing grant funding for community development financial institutions and minority deposit institutions that provide critical access to capital to entrepreneurs of color.
  
  
• Expanding Great Street and Maine Street programs to support the growth and development of neighborhood businesses, beautify our favorite commercial corridors, empower neighborhood-oriented development, and attract and retain businesses to communities across DC. 

Now, more than ever, we need leaders who do more than just say they support our local economy. Actions speak louder than words.

As your next At-Large Councilmember, I will continue to be a champion for community-oriented economic development and make sure our small businesses bounce back from the pandemic stronger than ever. 

Sincerely,
Kenyan

P.S We are knocking on doors, phone-banking, and texting voters every week so if you would like to join us on the campaign trail, please sign up today to volunteer with the campaign.