For Kendra Blackett-Dibinga, entrepreneurship has taught her many lessons. Through resilience, community listening, and innovation, Kendra was able to grow her business in spite of challenges. “We made it through the pandemic because we intrinsically knew what our community needed,” said Kendra. Kendra is the owner of Bikram Hot Yoga, a wellness business focused on yoga and…
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Program Director Messey Derebe made a special appearance on Monday, February 28th, 2022 with Andrianna Hopkins on ABC 7 News to talk about our special Women of Fire: Fireside Chat Series “Black Women in Philanthropy.” The event was co-hosted with Anacostia Arts Center and celebrated Black Women in Philanthropy with Dawnn Leary, Chika Onwuvuche, and…
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On February 18, 2022, CEO Harold Pettigrew, Jr.’s article “Bringing Opportunity Home – ideas on how to build wealth in underserved D.C. communities” was featured in the Washington Business Journal. In his piece, Harold explores what it means to be a native Washingtonian, and how this has affected his life’s work to bring opportunity home:…
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Washington, D.C. (January 27, 2022) — The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) has partnered with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) to disburse the D.C. Child Care Stabilization Grant which will provide approximately $38 million to licensed child development facilities in the District. The grant will help facilities cover business costs associated with the pandemic, stabilize…
Read MoreWashington, D.C. (December 3, 2021) – The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) announced today that CEO Harold B. Pettigrew, Jr.’s selection to the Washington Business Journal’s Power 100 Class of 2021. Harold joins a diverse group of 100 leaders driving an equitable, sustained recovery and community resilience across the Greater Washington region. “It is…
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In honor of National Black Business Month, Program Director Messay Derebe speaks with Guy Lambert, the host of Community Focus Hour on WPGC 95.5. Tune in to learn why we launched the Enterprising Women of Color Business Center in partnership with the MBDA. This interview was made possible by our partners at JP Morgan Chase.…
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October marks Employee Ownership month — a time to celebrate employee-owned businesses and their contributions to their communities, worker-owners, and economy. Roost is a D.C.-based property management firm, with a story that helps capture the spirit of the month. The following piece has been extracted from the Doing Business Toolkit | Transitioning to Employee Ownership, published in partnership…
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The Enterprising Women of Color DMV Business Center (Center) today announced the participants for the Ascend.Her: Phoenix Cohort, the latest cohort of Wacif’s award-winning Ascend Capital Accelerator.
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The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) announced today a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) through their Program for Investment in Micro-Entrepreneurs (PRIME).
Read MoreThe Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) today announced CEO Harold Pettigrew, Jr.’s selection to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) Community Development Advisory Board (the Advisory Board).
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