bloomingdale: April 2019

From: Howard University Community Association
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 5:00 PM
Subject: Community Connections Newsletter

April 2019

Volume 1, Issue 4

A monthly newsletter brought to you by the Howard University Community Association, highlighting the University's contribution across the District of Columbia and beyond!

Development Team Selected For Howard University’s Highly Competitive

Bond Bread / WRECO Project

WASHINGTON - Howard University has identified its preferred development partner to redevelop the Bond Bread Factory and Washington Railway & Electric Company buildings, located across from Howard University Hospital, at Georgia Avenue and V Street, NW.

This Bond Bread Project furthers Howard University’s real estate strategy, championed by President Wayne A. I. Frederick, to monetize underutilized real estate assets and generate capital for mission-based reinvestment. The project also fulfills Howard’s desire to revitalize the Georgia Avenue corridor and create significant opportunities for minority business participation in major projects.

The Howard University Board of Trustees approved plans to enter into exclusive negotiations with EDENS, Fivesquares Development and the Menkiti Group (The Bond Partnership) to reimagine the 2.2-acre project into a 600,000 square foot mixed-use hub of activity.

“Bond Bread/WRECO presents a unique opportunity for Howard University to energize the revitalization of our community. The Bond Partnership has proposed a compelling destination for students and the greater District of Columbia community that will generate local jobs and offer value for Howard to reinvest in its mission,” President Frederick said.

“We carefully selected this team because of their innovative vision for the site, respect for its historic structures, experience working with diverse stakeholders, and their ability to generate value,” he added. “I am thrilled to work together to transform this site into a thriving part of the surrounding Shaw and Pleasant Plains neighborhoods.”

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HU AS A RESOURCE IN THE DISTRICT

Small Business Development Center assists new business,
‘The Village Café’

Three 23-year-old native Washingtonians—Kevon King, Mahammad Mangum, and Ryan Williams – have created The Village Café with the assistance of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Howard University.

The Village Café is located in Washington D.C.’s thriving Union Market District. The restaurant is based on the idea of collective market platforms, wherein businesses with complimentary resources worked together to sustain one another.

To achieve this, the trio of DC entrepreneurs realized that they needed to create a business plan that addressed their unique vision; so they turned to SBDC at Howard University for assistance. The SBDC helped the company create a convincing business plan, put it in touch with partners in the restaurant industry, and helped the company obtain start-up funding. (Learn more about the SBDC in the next story of this newsletter.)

The Village Cafe sources its products from Southeast and Northeast D.C., including DC Urban Greens for its produce, Southeastern Roastery for its coffee, and Good Thoughts Tea Company for its tea. Under the management of Williams, who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, the cafe serves light fare and pastries and, eventually, will offer handcrafted cocktails, wine, and beer. The cafe also works with organizations such as Dreaming Out Loud, whose efforts include creating equal access to fresh, healthy food choices.

In addition, the cafe hosts events that bring different communities together. Future plans include sign language classes taught by members of the Gallaudet University community, “Village Talks” about healthy eating, and children’s story time with Politics and Prose bookstore.

For more information, visit The Village Cafe website.

Small Business Development Center at Howard University

You know you want to start a business, but what do you do next? Howard University and the Small Business Administration can help you with your first steps.

The District of Columbia Small Business Development Center (DC SBDC) Lead Center has been located at the Howard University School of Business since 1979. The center is a co-operative program in partnership between the U.S Small Business Administration and Howard University.

The DC SBDC has served tens of thousands of small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Howard alumnus Carl E. Brown, Jr., has served as executive director since 2016.

DC SBDC consultants work with entrepreneurs in confidential, individualized sessions to help them with a range of business issues including testing a new business proposition, shaping a business plan, investigating funding opportunities, and much more. This assistance is offered at no charge to residents and small business owners in the District of Columbia. The DC SBDC network also provides free or low-cost business management training.

The DC SBDC Network is a part of the Small Business Development Center national network, the federal government’s largest small business management and technical assistance program.

The Lead Center at Howard is designated as the District of Columbia SBDC Lead Center, and is housed within the Howard University School of Business. The office is located at 2600 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20059. The nationally accredited program provides high quality one-on-one consulting, training and information resources to empower new and existing businesses.

For additional information on the services and resources of the DC SBDC network, visit the DC SBDC network’s website at www.dcsbdc.org or call the DC SBDC Lead Center at the Howard University School of Business at 202-806-1550.

Pleasant Plains Workforce Development Scholarship Fund

The Howard University Community Association joined the DC Opportunities Industrialization Center (DC OIC) and members of the Pleasant Plains Civic Association (PPCA) for graduation ceremonies on February 19 and March 19 for the inaugural cohort of students awarded scholarships for their participation in the HVAC job training program of Pleasant Plains Community Workforce Development Scholarship Fund.

The job training program was part of the community benefits package provided by the developers of the newly opened Trellis House, located at 2332 Sherman Ave., NW, near Howard University’s central campus. The workforce development program was established through an agreement between the PPCA, Howard University, the developers of the Trellis House, and DC Opportunities Industrialization Center. The goal is to train 50 people who live within a 1.5 mile radius of the Trellis House in HVAC and other types of job skills training over the next three to five years.

The developer contributed an initial $500,000 to the program, and the PPCA is setting up a 501(c)(3) entity that can receive similar contributions to continue the training program in the future. The intent is to train area residents for jobs that will be lucrative enough to allow them to rent and/or purchase housing in the area where development is occurring.

The initial funding is being provided to support trainees for scholarship assistance, recruitment, case management, monitoring and placement services. It also supported the PPCA in establishing the non-profit job training entity as well as Howard University’s Center for Urban Progress for program evaluation.

The fund is overseen by the Scholarship Committee of the PPCA, which is appointed by the civic association’s president. Since September 2018, seven students have enrolled and graduated from the program.

For more information, contact: Tony Norman, email tbnorman29@gmail. com or Patrick Nelson, email pjn730@yahoo. com

HU EAST OF THE RIVER

Howard University participates in
"Anacostia River Festival"

WHUR 96.3FM, the flagship station of the Howard University Radio Network, served as the official media partner of the Anacostia River Festival on April 20.

The festival was hosted in collaboration with the National Park Service, The 11th Street Bridge Park, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This fifth annual family-friendly event took place at Anacostia Park located in Ward 8.

Activities included a bike zone and pop-up bike shop, live musical performances, fashion and arts vendors, and healthy food preparation demonstrations. On-the-river water activities showcased boating and water safety, fishing, and canoeing.

Howard University Hospital hosted a table to disseminate information on summer safety tips, general health information, and provided blood pressure screenings to festival participants. Thousands from Anacostia, along with residents from across the city, attended.

TIAA Supports THE STORE@HU

On April 24, Howard University administrative leaders joined executives from Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA) to restock pantry shelves at the new Howard student food pantry, known as THE STORE@HU.

Food insecurity is a major problem across the nation. THE STORE@HU student food pantry opened in January 2019 to specifically address health and wellness needs of Howard University students. Alleviating short-term food insecurity among students is an important way to enhance educational success and retention.

TIAA, a Howard University community partner, selected THE STORE@ HU as one of the recipients of its annual company food drive this year. TIAA helped restock the pantry with 1,220 pounds of non-perishable food items donated by its employees.

Timothy Rodgers, TIAA managing director for institutional solutions and relationships attended the event along with TIAA employees. Also in attendance were: Larry Callahan, Howard University’s vice president for human resources, and Dr. Valarie Turner, director of HU Off Campus Housing and Community Engagement; HU Volunteer Corps members and HU Peer Educators.

Heart Healthy Howard: A Food Showcase

In a collaborative partnership with the Office of Off-Campus Housing and Community Engagement, HU Dining and the American Heart Association (AHA) hosted the “Heart Healthy Howard,” a healthy cooking showcase on April 25.

The event raised awareness of the importance of heart healthy and mindful eating. "Heart Healthy Howard" took place at two campus locations: Blackburn Center and Bethune Annex cafeterias. Students, staff and faculty were provided with sample 'heart healthy' foods, giveaways and recipes. Community partners participants included Jessica Moise, AHA senior director for community impact and other AHA representatives, and various university officials including Student Life and Activities, Human Resources, HU Staff Organization, Student Health Center and the Department of Nutritional Sciences.

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. www.howard.edu