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Message NEWSLETTERM A R S H A L L H E I G H T S C O M M U N I T YD E V E L O P M E N T O R G A N I Z A T I O N JUNE 2025 ; ISSUE 1The Housing Counseling Department is pleased toannounce the planning and coordination for theNational-themed “June is Homeownership Month”. Thisyear MHCDO’s theme is “Your Home, Your Power.” Weare excited to partner with Citi Bank, the WashingtonReal Estate Brokers Association and Clark Premier RealtyGroup.MHCDO has departed from the regular basicprogramming typically offered during homeownershipmonth. The topics we will present are: Turn Assets intoOpportunities (Smart Equity), Stay in Your Home: Toolsand Strategies (Foreclosure Prevention), Ready, Set, Go!(Emergency Preparedness) & Keys to the Future:Breaking into the Real Estate Industry.HousingDepartmentApril marked Financial Literacy Month, atime dedicated to empoweringindividuals and families with theknowledge, tools, and resources to makesmart financial decisions. Each week,unique programming was taught asMHCDO partnered with Citi Bank and theWashington Real Estate BrokersAssociation. Experts in their fieldprofessionally taught each session,moderated by equally impressiveprofessionals. Weekly sessions conductedwere Cloud-Based FinancialRecordkeeping, What to do with BigMama’s House, How to Qualify for aHome Mortgage, Post PurchaseEducation & How to Financial Grow andMaintain Your Business Roundtable.The series was attended by localresidents and professionals such asfinancial planners, mortgage loan officersfrom non-sponsored banks andinsurance professionals and was a hugesuccess. UPCOMING EVENTSMHCDO’s Housing & Small Business Department withpartners of Citi Bank (April 2025)

JUNE 2025ISSUE 1WorkforceDevelopmentVolunteers have come on board to give the 3732Minnesota Ave., NE Prosperity Hub a facelift by offeringto paint and bring new life to the facade of the building.Others have committed to design a backyard space withthe potential of establishing a community garden andbistro. Small business owners and entrepreneurs seekingworking space in Ward 7are invited to inquire aboututilizing the Hub's Small Business Incubator and ServiceCenter.Watch this space next month for a list of workshops andprograms designed to support non-profit organizationsand small businesses seeking organization capacity-building guidance, grant and contract opportunities, andgrants management basics.Interested in finding out more information about WorkforceDevelopment offerings at MHCDO or hiring graduates of theprograms should contact:Blythe Patenaude at (202) 704-2581UPCOMING EVENTSMay 19 marked the beginning of theConstruction Basics CORE- Cohort 2 inconjunction with NRPC/MHCDO's jointproject at 301 Florida Avenue, NE in theDistrict. Twenty-one participants will worktoward certifications in Construction, OSHA10, Fall Prevention and CPR/First Aid duringtheir80-hour program over five weekssubsidized by the developers.thOn May 29 , an exclusive ConstructionHiring Fair was held at MHCDO's main officeat 3939 Benning Road, NE with over 18 NRPsubcontractors committed to hiring trainedDistrict residents. Cohort participantsprepared for the event by updating theirresumes and preparing brief introductorystatements about their skills and talentspertaining to employment. Sixteenparticipants set goals of meeting withrepresentatives from three companieshiring in areas of interest to each applicant.Fallowing the program, subcontractors willcontact individuals to schedule interviews orcomplete online applications for furtherevaluation.thThe Workforce Development unit closes outthe month of May with its last quarter blitzto update resumes and identify jobopportunities for individuals who have takenclasses during the last year including JobReadiness Programs, ConstructionCertificate Training & Food and CustomerService Programs.2

JUNE 2025ISSUE 1Small BusinessDevelopmentApril – Financial Literacy Month & May –Small Business MonthMHCDO’s Small Business DevelopmentTeam was in active recognition andparticipation during the observances ofFinancial Literacy Month (April) and SmallBusiness Month (May) in 2025. The SBDPDirector attended the Main Street America2025 Annual Conference (April 7-9,Philadelphia, PA) with MHCDO’s MainStreets Team and gain valuableinformation and perspective on theNational Main Street framework, delivery,and impact.MHCDO leadership providedrepresentation to its educational partner,Howard University’s School of Business,through participation in two of theirentrepreneurship development events.First, as a panel judge for the 2 AnnualHU School of Business New VentureDevelopment Class’s Business Plan & PitchCompetition (April 23 ) and secondly as areviewer of a venture presentation by thestart-up tech firm INVY.Co (Shana Vieria,Founder) to leaders of the HowardUniversity/ PNC Bank EntrepreneurshipCenter (April 30 ).ndrdthDSLBD Dream Accelerator Pitch ProgramTo close out our Financial Literacy Monthactivities, The Small BusinessDevelopment Team conducted apresentation entitled “How To FinanciallyGrow & Maintain Your Business” duringMHCDO Housing Department’s 2025 AprilFinancial Literacy Month Workshop Series.The series was sponsored and co-presented by Citi Financial Services.The Small Business DevelopmentProgram Team started Small BusinessMonth by hosting the DC Department ofSmall and Local Business Development’s(DSLBD) 2025 Dream Accelerator PitchProgram (May 1). The SBDP Team (E. Allenand D. Jones) showed impressivedistinction by being the only communitybased/nonprofit organization to providesmall business coaching/counselingservice during the networking sessions atthe 11 Annual “Power Up DC” SmallBusiness Summit conducted by DCHealthLink at DC MLK, Jr. Memorial MainLibrary (May 6).thMHCDO at the “Power Up” Business Summitt3

JUNE 2025ISSUE 1Deanwood Heights Main Street's MarvinGaye Weekend was a resounding success,drawing a diverse crowd to The StrandRestaurant. Set to be an annualcelebration, the evening featured vibrantperformances of Gaye’s iconic hits by DJJ5, capturing the essence of his timelesssoul and socially conscious lyrics.Attendees raved about the experience,which included face painting, freepopcorn, a Chuck Brown mascotappearance, and a Latin dancedemonstration that honored Gaye’scultural influence through conga rhythms.The event’s seamless execution, heartfelttributes, and strong sense of communitycreated a night of connection andnostalgia, solidifying its place as a truecultural highlight.Deanwood HeightsMain Street“Get Dance!“Dance Troop performing at Marvin GayeWeekendChuck Brown mascot showing off his guitar skillsDeanwood Heights Director, Paul Spires,on the dance floor4

JUNE 2025 ISSUE 1Nannie HelenBurroughs DayPioneering educator, orator, religious leader, andcivil rights activist Nannie Helen Burroughs wasborn in Virginia to formerly enslaved parents.Burroughs dedicated her life to advancingeducation and empowerment for Black women.In 1909, she founded the National Training Schoolfor Women and Girls in Washington, D.C., agroundbreaking institution that providedvocational and academic training at a time whenfew opportunities existed for African Americanwomen. Burroughs believed in the importance ofself-reliance, moral integrity, and professionaldevelopment, and her school reflected thesevalues, preparing women not just for work, butfor leadership in their communities.Burroughs would have been 146 years old thisyear. On Saturday May 10, 2025, AdvisoryNeighborhood Commission (ANC) 7C sponsoreda Community Resource event in her honor atMarvin Gaye Park. The event featured food,music, information on city services and family-friendly activities.Vendors at the Nannie Helen Burrough’s Day event5

JUNE 2025 ISSUE 1Safety & Beautification Progress on PennsylvaniaAvenue SEMHCDO is making progress on the Safe CommercialCorridors Grant for the Lower Node of PennsylvaniaAvenue SE, supported by the Office of the Deputy Mayorfor Public Safety and Justice. Through this grant, we areworking with property owners, business owners, Districtagencies, and community partners to enhance safetyand beautification efforts along the corridor. Keyactivities include façade improvements, lighting andsecurity camera installations, and the development of apublic art mural. In the coming months, residents canexpect to see physical improvements begin, pop-upplacemaking events alleyways, and continuedcollaboration to make the corridor safer, morewelcoming, and vibrant.Community Voices Shape the Future ofWard 7 MobilityOn May 28th, MHCDO and the WashingtonArea Bicyclist Association (WABA) hosted aCommunity Listening Session whereresidents of all ages shared their livedexperiences navigating Ward 7 and utilizingits green spaces. Neighbors voiced concernsabout safety and cleanliness, with oneresident noting, "It’s not just aboutmaintenance — it’s a mindset. We need tochange how we care for these spaces."Residents called for welcoming, accessibletransportation and mobility options,including better lighting and more directroutes through Ward 7 and across the river.They envisioned a trail that connectscommunities, supports mental health, and aspace for multigenerational activities likewalking, picnicking, and even fish fries.MHCDO and WABA are grateful for thethoughtful feedback and remain committedto amplifying these voices in ongoingadvocacy and planning efforts.Environment andSustainabilityWard 7 residents enjoying Marvin Gaye Park6Pennsylvania Avenue EastMain Street

JUNE 2025ISSUE 1DSLBD RobustRetail GranteesWe’re excited to share that fivebusinesses on the PennsylvaniaAvenue corridor have been selected asrecipients of the DSLBD Robust RetailGrant—a powerful boost for our localeconomy and a testament to theresilience and innovation of our smallbusiness community. “Small businesses shouldn’t have tofigure it out alone—and in DC, theydon’t have to,” said Rosemary Suggs-Evans, Director of DSLBD. “Fromlicensing to funding, DSLBD is here tohelp. The Robust Retail Grant is just oneway we’re making good on our promiseto be every entrepreneur’s first stop—and best resource—for growth.”Please join us in celebrating this year’sgrant awardees:Thai Orchid, Addison Auto Parts,Braids by Fauzia, Karis Wigs, and A toZ Tobacco & Grocery.Be sure to stop by, show your support,and shop small—because when oursmall businesses thrive, so does ourentire corridor.“Small businesses shouldn’thave to figure it out alone—andin DC, they don’t have to...” -Rosemary Suggs-Evans,Director of DSLBD 7