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Investing in Equity: Kimberly Gayle, Wacif’s Chief Program Officer, on Leading the Enterprising Women of Color DMV Business Center

By sowm | March 10, 2021 |

“Women-owned businesses, specifically businesses owned by women of color, need a just and supportive system on their side as they rebuild not only their companies, but their lives. The Wacif team, and the Enterprising Women of Color District, Maryland, Virginia (DMV) Business Center, will stand beside them in that effort.” – Kimberly Gayle, Wacif Chief Program Officer …

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Wacif Announces New Chief Program Officer and Expanded Leadership Team

By sowm | March 5, 2021 |

Washington, D.C. (March 8, 2021) – The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) announced today that Kimberly Gayle joined the organization as its new Chief Program Officer. In this role, Kimberly will provide executive leadership and management oversight of Wacif’s small business advisory services and programming.  “I am thrilled to welcome Kimberly to the Wacif team as our first Chief Program Officer, and to expand our leadership to take on the challenges ahead that impact entrepreneurs across the region,” said Wacif CEO Harold Pettigrew, Jr.…

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Wacif Honored with 2020 DC Spirit of Service Award from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser

By sowm | February 17, 2021 |

Washington, D.C. (February 17, 2021) – The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) today announced that Mayor Bowser had honored Wacif as a 2020 DC Spirit of Service Award honoree in the Public-Private Partnership: Achievement in Collaboration category. This award acknowledges Wacif’s innovative approach to advance equity and opportunity through public-private partnerships. The DC Spirit…

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Wacif to Offer Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Through New Partnership with Customers Bank and SmartBiz

By sowm | January 22, 2021 |

Washington, D.C. (January 22, 2021) – The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) today announced its participation in the second round of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through a partnership with community bank Customers Bank and fintech SmartBiz. Prospective applicants can click here to begin the application process. “Wacif is committed…

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Wacif and Morning Consult Receive Washington Business Journal 2020 Citizenship Award

By sowm | December 11, 2020 |

Washington, D.C. (December 11, 2020) – The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) today announced that with partner Morning Consult, the global data intelligence firm, it has been awarded the 2020 Citizenship Award by the Washington Business Journal. The honor recognizes the partnership between Wacif and Morning Consult, as one of three partnership honorees, on the launch of the Small Business Resilience Fund in June 2020, and its efforts to provide much needed capital to assist…

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Wacif Receives $500,000 Award From Citi Foundation to Support Small Business Recovery

By sowm | December 10, 2020 |

Washington, D.C. (December 10, 2020) – The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) today announced it was selected by the Citi Foundation as one of 30 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in the country to receive a $500,000 grant to support Wacif’s efforts to provide capital and advisory services to entrepreneurs of color for economic recovery and resilience. The grant is a part of Citi Foundation’s $15 Million Initiative to provide unrestricted funding to support the…

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In 2020, Compass Coffee Is Brewing More Than Coffee

By sowm | November 5, 2020 |

Businesses across D.C. are taking part in initiatives that make it easier for employees and customers to exercise their civic rights. Local coffee roaster Compass Coffee is one small business proving that civic engagement is just as important as your morning coffee. Compass Coffee is a 2020 DC Small Business Recovery Microgrant recipient, administered by Wacif on behalf of…

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Wacif to Launch New Business Center to Support Enterprising Women of Color in the National Capital Region

By sowm | November 5, 2020 |

Washington, D.C. (October 30, 2020) – In celebration of National Women’s Small Business Month, the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) today announced its plans to launch a new business center focused on women entrepreneurs of color. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), Wacif will launch the National Capital Region MBDA Business Center for Enterprising Women of Color (MBDA…

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Women Entrepreneurship is on the Rise: Five Small Businesses Making Waves

By sowm | October 22, 2020 |

October marks the 32nd anniversary of H.R. 5050: the Women’s Business Ownership Act, signed into legislation by President Reagan in 1988. The legislation empowers women to independently sign their business loan applications and makes it easier for women entrepreneurs to receive working capital, training, and assistance. Today, women-owned businesses are growing at 2.5% the national average, and women entrepreneurs of color are the fastest-growing population of entrepreneurs in the United States.   According to…

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Wacif CEO Harold Pettigrew Joins Washington Business Journal Leadership Trust

By sowm | October 5, 2020 |

Washington, D.C. (October 05, 2020) — The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) today announced that CEO Harold Pettigrew, Jr. will join the Washington Business Journal Leadership Trust (Trust), an exclusive community for influential business leaders, executives and entrepreneurs in Greater Washington. “I am proud to join and lend my voice to a community of…

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