The Root DC | Entrepreneurs and small business owners work their ‘side hustles’

Today The Root DC covers my Sidehustle Saturday event at The HIVE. Sidehustle Saturday is a free monthly networking event that brings together aspiring and active freelancers, small-business owners, and the like together to trade ideas and opportunities. The core of economic development in Ward 8 is going to be in our small businesses - we need to support them and we need leadership who can advocate for funds and opportunities. 

To register for the next Sidehustle Saturday event go HERE. Spaces are limited, so registration is required. 

Go HERE to read the full article by Chris Jenkins.

Excerpt:

One is a local crafter who specializes in hand made baby clothes. Another is a state department employee by day and talent agent on the side. A third is the director of a local non-profit that teaches health and wellness to Ward 8 residents.

Local entrepeneurs gather at 'The Hive' on Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. (The Hive - The Hive)All are part of an emerging collective of entrepreneurs that meets monthly for a session known as Side Hustle Saturdays. The gathering, in the heart of Anacostia, is a chance for entrepreneurs to network and share ideas with other who are hustling to make it.

The mission is simple: help people handle their own business in this time of economic austerity and continued uncertainty.

“We have opportunities here in Ward 8 for economic development,” said Nikki Peele, 35, the blogger, activist and small businesswoman who started the event. “I think a lot of us had gotten used to the security of a check. But when people starting losing jobs or hours, many of us were forced to start doing things that we always wanted to do but were afraid to because we didn’t want to lose that steady paycheck.”

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Jacque Patterson: Help us get our message out to voters

Posted yesterday on the Jacque Patterson for Ward 8 City Council Facebook page:

Jacque Patterson

Today, the Washington City Paper posted a column that in essence said Marion Barry is unbeatable because no other candidate can raise enough money to be competitive! 

I know that's not true, and so do you! Let's prove the critics wrong! Please go to www.pattersonforward8.com and contribute to our movement. Don't let money be the only reason that Marion Barry continues to underserve the residents of Ward 8. Help us get our message out to voters. Help us put together a campaign that will change the way of life for residents stuck in unemployment, crime and ineffective leadership.  

Help me make a difference in the lives of Ward 8 residents!

Patterson For Ward 8www.pattersonforward8.com

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Natalie Williams : Who's Running for Second?

From www.NatalieWilliamsOnline.com:

Ward 8 Council Candidate, Natalie Williams
(photo courtesy of www.nataliewilliamsonline.com)

I wanted to take a moment to respond to the recent article by Alan Suderman entitled "Running for Second in Ward 8." This article demonstrates the unfortunate climate in which some journalists, excuse me bad bloggers operate on a daily basis; thus never addressing the many social ills of our community. To that point, I will say the article is laced with inaccuracies from both the reporter and another Ward 8 Council candidate.  Additionally, the article fails to highlight the true intent of my visit to the Council of the District of Columbia and sit-in in the Office of Councilman Marion Barry, as well as, the accomplishments of the day on behalf of Ward 8, its residents and business community.

First, this event was never designed to be a campaign demonstration; instead it was a demonstration by concerned residents of Ward 8. Yes, some of those who attended are in full support of my candidacy. However, I specifically invited all Ward 8 Council candidates and their supporters to attend so that we, as a Ward, could join together, in spite of our political affiliations, for the greater good of our community. Not surprising, but worth mentioning, one candidate publicly confirmed his attendance, but privately failed to show up. Also, it is rather unfortunate, and to a degree, disappointing that the other candidates and even some community leaders, could not put their personal/political likes or dislike aside for something that ultimately will affect the place we call home for years to come.

Second, yesterday's demonstration did exactly what it was intended to do. And that is, raise the conversation to the appropriate powers that be, through the most effective means by which we may achieve our desire results. Thus, our meeting with Councilman Jim Graham, Chairman of the Human Services Committee who oversees such issues on group homes and shelters, and to Councilman Michael Brown who sits on that committee. Our sit-in at Councilman Barry's office was just that – to send a message that his office doesn't belong to him, but instead to the people of Ward 8. He is merely our representative. And when he stops representing our issues on our behalf, then we are coming to regain our office back, and let our voices be heard.

As I have said from the very beginning, I am the only candidate in this race who truly knows how to bring out effective change; who truly understands the dynamics of the Council; and who truly knows how to work those longstanding relationships to get the job done. It is not done through grandstanding on Facebook or conducting countless neighborhood meetings that are not result-oriented.

However, it is done through taking your issues to the doorstep, in the faces of those who have it within their full capacity to fix. I stand firm in my decision to take the issue of oversaturation of group homes, shelters, and social services facilities to City Hall, which by the way do nothing to increase our tax base, create employment opportunities and bring real estate prosperities back on the market at affordable and market rates.

Calling all artists/performers/filmmakers: LUMEN8Anacostia site tour this Sat

Please join ARCH Development Corporation this Saturday at 10am SHARP at Honfleur Gallery  as we take a tour of the available sites in Anacostia for the temporium projects. ADC will also answer your questions about the LUMEN8Anacostia Calls for Entry for Temporium/Performances (due Feb 24) and  Short-Films (due March 2). Please spread the word (the call is open for anyone to apply) and bring your ideas, imagination, and creativity!  Refreshments will be served.

Anacostia metro station is the closest and there are bus stops on the block. A Bikeshare station is across the street and there are bike racks in front of Honfleur Gallery. All of the tour sites are in walking distance. It is very important to be at Honfleur Gallery at 10am.

Feb 13,14,15 | Mtng to discuss green design of Anacostia metro public spaces

Good Morning Community Leaders and Organizations, 

I wanted to send a quick reminder about a very exciting series of events coming up in our community.

The District of Columbia was recently selected as one of five capital cities to receive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Greening America’s Capitals technical design assistance! This assistance will focus on green design and pedestrian/bicycle safety in the public spaces surrounding the Anacostia Metro Station and its proximity to the Anacostia River. Part of the design process will include a community work session—or a “charrette”—which will focus on designing a public space that connects the metro station to neighborhood assets, makes the area safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, better manages local stormwater and complements upcoming economic development projects in the community.

Feb 25 | Sidehustle Saturday networking event at The HIVE

Making connections

Saturday, Feb 25th
11am - 1pm
The HIVE
2027 MLK Jr. Ave SE
Washington, DC 20020
Limited spaces. Registration is required.

It is hard out here for an entrepreneur.

Between personal and professional commitments many of us have full-time aspirations squeezed into part-time schedules. What us aspiring entrepreneurs like to call our “sidehustle.”

The HIVE, Ward 8’s only co-working space, is pleased to announce our February event in an ongoing series of Saturday networking events & workshops geared toward helping entrepreneurs launch (or expand) their sidehustle. So whether your side hustle is graphic design, IT, consulting, fashion, writing, etc. come on down and see if you can make a connection or two.

Events are FREE and open to the public. Wi-Fi is provided, so bring your laptop and your business cards (if you have them). Dress code is “Busy Bee Chic” (translation: whatever you usually wear).

ANC Commissioner Sandra "S.S." Seegars: Councilmember Jim Graham needs to share the spotlight with Councilmember Michael Brown

Sandra "S.S." Seegars

For immediate release.

1300 Congress St., SE

From: Commissioner Sandra "S.S." Seegars

Thursday, February 2, 2011

It puzzles me how CM Jim Graham is taking all of the credit on the 1300 Congress St. issue (case involving the housing program the Peaceoholics were trying to establish). The councilmember who was out front with it was CM Michael Brown.  Brown did the research, Brown held the hearings, Brown met with DHCD and the community, now, all of a sudden, Graham has taken over. I really wonder why he is doing this.

Graham did help out, but it was Brown who stepped out first. Brown reacted when we needed him.  We [I] asked for the investigation in 2010. Where was Graham then?  I really don’t appreciate this Johnnie come lately tactic.  Brown called a meeting where CM Marion Barry attended. With strong conviction, Barry said he supported the Peaceoholics. When I asked Barry what type of facility was he supporting. Barry had no clue.

Brown supported us when I filed the complaints and asked for the investigation, and Brown supported the meetings we had to gather information. Graham needs to share the soapbox.

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ANC Commissioner Sandra "S.S." Seegars: Parents want principal ousted

Sandra "S.S." Seegars

For Immediate release

Washington, DC

Place: In front of Turner Elementary School

            1500 Mississippi Ave., SE,

            Washington, DC 20032

Time: 10:00 am

Contact: Commissioner Sandra "S.S." Seegars

                 Cell: 202-320-5554  or 202-247-5733

Some of the parents of the some of the students at Turner Elementary School said they have had enough of the unprofessionalism of the principal at the school, Robert Gregory. Gregory and Kaya Henderson disagree with the parents, however, this has been going on for about a year and nothing has been done about it. One parent took her children out of Turner because of the principal.

The parents have a petition asking for the removal of Gregory and one of his faculty members from this school. The petition contains hundreds of signatures.

The parents said they are not respected, and the principal is not fair.   

LOOSE LIPS | Running for Second in Ward 8

Thoughts?

Go HERE to read the full article.

Excerpt:

Posturing aside, a look at fundraising shows that none of the candidates have done well in the area any challenger would need to beat an entrenched incumbent like Barry: raising money. Financial reports released this week show that with two months left before the election, none of Barry’s challengers have much cash. 

Patterson managed only to raise $4,353 despite telling LL that he’d been in talks with some of Barry’s long-time donors. Williams’ haul so far isn’t much better at $4,758. Seegars has raised only $1,340. Gaston raised a respectable $22,000 during the last reporting period but says his fundraising has slowed down during the last couple of months. (Neither Gaston or Barry had their most current reports available online by LL’s deadline. 

That kind of weak financing suggests that the race for second is still wide open. But for now, it looks like only Barry can decide when that Barry-free future for Ward 8 comes to pass.

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