April 23, 2025
Updates from Adams Morgan
Click Here
to see previous updates in our newsletter archive
Check
ObviouslyDC.com
for the latest in DC government funding and grant opportunities for businesses.
Be prepared. Visit to
Ready.DC.gov
for preparedness information for a
variety of hazards including manmade and natural disasters.
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Save the Date: Spring PorchFest is coming May 3!
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Adams Morgan Spring PorchFest is just over a week away and we're really excited about this one!
We're anticipating our biggest PorchFest ever with over 100 bands on 20+ stages throughout the business district and surrounding neighborhood. Headlining on the main stage on 18th Street will be
Gangstagrass
-- a bluegrass/hip-hop group, known for the theme song of the FX television show
Justified
.
Check out the promo
Gangstagrass recorded for PorchFest!
Visit
admoporchfest.com
for more info as it becomes available.
Adams Morgan PorchFest is now extra bicycle friendly!
We will have a
bicycle valet service
operating on the 2500 block of Champlain Street, so ride your bike and leave it in good hands while you enjoy the day. The bicycle valet will operate through 8pm.
Big thanks to our event sponsors:
Aetna
,
Pepco
,
Jubilee Housing
,
Colonial Parking
,
Citycast DC
, and
Smartwater
!
Our brand new PorchFest t-shirts designed by
Brandon Hill
will be available for sale next week at
Ace Hardware
,
Because Science
,
Smash Records
, and
Urban Dwell
.
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Adams Morgan Businesses:
Please Submit your Wristband Discount Specials ASAP
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PorchFest is almost here and we want your business to benefit from the tens of thousands of attendees as much as possible. The best way to do that is to submit a wristband discount special so your business will be listed on the website as well as the printed maps.
Click here to submit your discounts
or email
Brian
if you have any questions.
We're in the process of launching a new website and PorchFest will be the first piece to go live.
Click here
to see specials that have already been submitted.
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Check out the AdMo Art Walk!
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Adams Morgan is your own personal art gallery thanks to the
AdMo Art Walk
, a free, fun way to experience art brought to you by the
Adams Morgan Partnership BID
and The
DC Arts Center
in collaboration with local artists and neighborhood businesses!
Walk the streets of Adams Morgan and admire an impressive selection of local artwork displayed in storefronts through April 27. Thanks to overwhelming support from the community since the initial launch in 2021, the Art Walk continues to gain momentum – which enables us to bring you the biggest event yet with 21 participating businesses displaying original creations from local artists.
Each Saturday and Sunday throughout the event,
The DC Arts Center will be offering guided walking tours
of the AdMo Art Walk for just $5, making brief stops at each location to discuss the artwork, artist, and local businesses. Space is limited so please
reserve your spot here
.
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Register for Bike To Work Day
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Register
for the Adams Morgan Pit Stop and plan on joining us in
Unity Park on Thursday, May 15 from 7:30-9:30am
. We'll have refreshments, giveaways, and maybe a few surprises as well. Unity Park is at the intersection of Columbia Rd., Euclid St. and Champlain St., NW in front of The LINE DC.
We'll be joined by
Upshift Workshop
who will have bicycle repair stations, free educational bike safety checks, and an info table with upcoming events and ways to get involved in their shop community.
The Washington Area Bicycle Association
(WABA) will also be joining us with some giveaways and helpful information.
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The Mother of All Yard Sales: Saturday, May 17
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This year's The Mother of All Yard Sales will be held on Saturday, May 17.
It’s a giant annual neighborhood-wide yard sale here in Adams Morgan. To participate, just sell stuff in front of your home or building.
Please contact
Josh Gibson
if you are interested in selling stuff this year or for more information.
If you would like the wonderful B-Thrifty charity truck to stop by after the sale and pick up your unsold items (tax-deductible, benefitting neighborhood healthcare champion Mary’s Center), you yourself must sign up directly for a truck pickup. But it’s easy! Just
click here
and fill out the form — but be sure to say “The Mother of All Yard Sales: May 17” under “Donation Description.”
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Adams Morgan Farmers Market returns June 7
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2025 CSA Season Membership is now open.
The CSA season is divided into 4 sessions for one a week pickups:
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June-July (Wednesday or Saturday)
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August-September (Wednesday or Saturday)
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October (Wednesday or Saturday)
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November (Saturday only)
Membership fee:
Prices are unchanged from last season.
$360.00 (9 week session); $320 (8 week session)
Early bird (before April 30):
$337.50 (9 week sessions); $300 (8 week session)
Click here
for more information, including the membership form.
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Share Your In Memoriam and Milestone Honorees
The RAMMYS celebrate our industry's brightest stars, but also pauses to honor those we've lost and the establishments that have stood the test of time. We need your help with two special recognition categories:
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Restaurant Milestones:
We also recognize local restaurants celebrating their 25th, 50th, or 75th anniversaries.
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Submit Restaurant Milestones by April 30:
Please send names, contact person, and anniversary information to
Linda
by April 30th to ensure inclusion in this year's celebration.
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In Memoriam:
Each year, we pay tribute to members of our restaurant community who have passed away since last year's RAMMYS. Help us ensure no one is forgotten by sharing names of colleagues and industry friends we've lost.
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Submit In Memoriam Information by July 1:
Please send names, photos, and to
Linda
by July 1 to ensure inclusion in this year's program.
Sound Off: Help Reform Music Licensing for Restaurants
The National Restaurant Association is
gathering feedback
from operators about the music licensing marketplace.
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Why It Matters:
Your input could help create a more transparent, competitive, and fair licensing system that would benefit restaurants nationwide. Complete this
brief survey
to share your music licensing experiences. That’s all the news for today. See you here next week.
Restaurant Partners Wanted: Savor The Flavors
Savor the Flavors
of Passport DC celebrates authentic dining experiences representing the unique availability of cuisines from around the world that can be found in DC.
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Get Attention:
Join this opportunity to promote your restaurant to locals and visitors in May.
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Who Can Participate?
All restaurants and eateries in DC, membership in RAMW is not required. There is no fee to participate.
Learn More
.
Workforce Training Opportunity: Scholarships for Industry Professionals Now Open!
The RAMW Educated Eats Foundation is investing in the next generation of culinary talent with scholarships up to $5,000.
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Who Can Apply:
Current industry professionals as well as students looking to advance their careers and students pursuing culinary dreams.
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Make It Happen:
Applications for the Frans Hagen Scholarship close May 1. Funds can support culinary training, restaurant management courses, and professional development.
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Take the Next Step:
Is there a rock star on your team who should apply? They can
apply here
and take the next step on their culinary journey.
Black Women In Food Summit Returns to DC Apr 25
The Black Women in Food Summit returns to Washington, DC on April 25–26, bringing together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives to advance equity and opportunity for Black women in the food industry.
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The Summit Features:
keynote speaker Dr. Jessica B. Harris, over 40 influential voices, a pitch competition, and hands-on workshops.
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A Curated Marketplace:
and the annual Black Women in Food Awards will spotlight Black women-owned food brands and industry trailblazers.
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Dine Around:
sponsored by Open Table offers attendees exclusive tasting menus at 10 celebrated DC restaurants.
Visit their website
for info and tickets.
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Energy Security Education Webinar - May 8th
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Pepco is engaging key stakeholders and customers about their industry's energy security challenges and the expected increases to customer bills. Join them on
Thursday, May 8th, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
for an “
Energy Security Educational Webinar
.” During this session, Pepco will share important information about the upcoming supply charge increases resulting from the recent PJM capacity auction. These increases are set to take effect on June 1st. They are influenced by several factors, including the retirement of generation facilities in the PJM region and the rising demand for electricity due to data centers, electric vehicles, and more. These increases are not driven by Pepco but will be reflected on the supply charges on customer bills.
Click here
to register to attend.
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Complete the 2025 Quarter 2 Business Sentiments Survey
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You’re invited to complete the D.C. Policy Center’s Business Sentiments Survey. This round aims to capture businesses’ sentiments toward, and adoption of, AI in the workplace. The survey should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete, and will remain open until 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday April 30, 2025.
Click here
to take the survey.
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Upcoming Events: Certified Up (powered by WACIF)
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Are you small business owner interested in obtaining various business certifications to grow your business while increasing sales and securing contracts? Certified Up is an innovative business development program powered by the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) and designed to empower small businesses through comprehensive certification training and technical assistance.
Group Expert Open Hours with Liz Whitehead
April 24; 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Location: Virtual
Register Now
1:1 Expert Open Hours with Yodit Shibru
April 28; 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
Location: Virtual
Register Now
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Financial Literacy for Your Business Speed Coaching Event
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April 30; 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Doors open at 9:30 am, sessions start promptly at 10:00 am.
Please be aware that this is an in-person event only.
This event is organized so that you have opportunities to network, and in a 15 minute timeslots have face-to-face sessions with District government agencies and Financial Institutions that provide technical assistance throughout the District.
Empowering communities—residents and entrepreneurs—by attending The Financial Literacy for your Business Speed Coaching Event, where attendees will gain the skills, knowledge, and mindset necessary to make smart financial decisions, access funding opportunities, and successfully launch and grow their businesses.
You will meet with individuals one-on-one from one of these partners:
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D.C. Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection's (DLCP) Business Resource Center (BRC)
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Department of Small and Local Business Development Center (DSLBD)
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Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB)
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D.C. Small Business Development Center (DC SBDC)
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Industrial Bank
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Latin Economic Development Center (LEDC)
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Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF)
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Greater Washington Urban League
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DC Office of Contracting & Procurement (OCP)
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M&T
Make sure to bring your questions!
Please
RSVP online
as space is limited.
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If you have not yet taken
the DC 2050 Vision Survey
, it will be
open until May 18
.
The DC 2050 team will use your input to understand you and your community’s values and priorities for the District’s future. Please share the survey widely with your networks. Printer-friendly versions of the survey are available by-request in English, Spanish, French, and Amharic.
Ready-to-send PDF flyers and handouts, including the DC 2050 one-pager and previous presentations, are available on the
FAQs + Resources tab of the
website
.
Looking ahead, please save the dates for in-person workshops on Saturday, May 31, from 11 am to 1 pm, and Wednesday, June 4, from 6 to 8 pm.
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Tackle real-world issues at our Small Business Update
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Mark your calendars! Join this Small Business Day event on
May 1
for a full Small Business Update featuring discussions on critical topics, including:
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Beneficial Ownership Information Report
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The Looming "Tax Cliff"
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Key Immigration Policies
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Strategies for Adapting to Global Changes
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The Impact of AI
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Strategies for Startup Growth
Register now to equip yourself with the knowledge and strategies you need to thrive in today's ever-changing business landscape.
Click here
for more info and to secure your spot.
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Mark Your Calendar! POWERUP DC: A Small Business Summit is Back on May 6th!
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Empowering Small Business Success in a Changing Landscape
Tuesday, May 6; 8:30am - 3:00pm
Business Conference Center
MLK, Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW
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Access to Capital
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Procurement Opportunities
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Tools for Self-Employment
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Cutting Edge Workshops
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Networking & Coaching
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Business Expo
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Executive Luncheon
Click here
for more info and to register.
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Innovation Day | DMV Small Business Week
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The DC Public Library is hosting a program at MLK Library on
Wednesday, May 7
as part of Small Business Week that they're calling
DMV Innovation Day
, which will include an "inspiration showcase," where innovative local entrepreneurs and business can demo their concepts or products and participants can try them out, experiment, ask questions about the process, etc. It's meant to inspire people to innovate and inspire local pride.
Interested businesses can
apply here
.
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Your Weekly Small Business Workshop Calendar is Here!
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The Coalition is committed to strengthening and connecting the small business ecosystem in the District, serving as a community quarterback that collaborates across small business support organizations and entities to enhance funding, support services, resources, and information for small businesses in DC.
The DCSmallBizHelp workshop calendar is designed to connect entrepreneurs and small business owners in DC with local trainings, workshops, and other events that work to provide networking, education, and capacity building for small businesses.
Download the Full Calendar
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Coming soon: $10,000 grants
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Start prepping for grants
Digital Ready is giving away $10k grants to deserving business owners and starting to accept applications this April. You can sign up for Digital Ready (for free!) and take courses now in order to become eligible when the grant opens.
Start Now
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Small Business Resource Center
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Did you Remember to File Your Biennial Report with DLCP?
April 1 was the deadline for business entities to file their Biennial Report, Form BRA-25, with the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). If you do not know when your entity should file, you can go to
DLCP's CorpOnline website
and check your entity's filing history by searching your legal name under "Business Filings Search." Avoid fines, check today!
DLCP Customer Service Center Temporarily Relocating
The DLCP Customer Service Center will temporarily move from the second floor to the sixth floor (Suite E630) at 1100 4th Street SW. You can access the following services on the sixth floor:
DLCP Walk-in Center:
Assistance with obtaining, renewing, and managing business and professional licenses, as well as support for filing complaints and resolving consumer issues.
DOB Walk-in Center:
Resources for residential and commercial permit applications, plan reviews, and vacant building inspections.
DDOT Permitting Center:
Support for filing permit applications related to the District’s public space.
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DC APEX Accelerators help businesses
DC APEX Accelerator
offers personalized business counseling and competitive insights for navigating the government contracting process successfully.
If you already have experience working on government contracts and are looking for help to secure other contracts, we are available to help. At the DC APEX Accelerator, businesses get help with strategies to pursue state, local, and federal government contracts.
The full calendar of upcoming events can be found
here
.
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FY25 Business Funding Opportunities
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New and ongoing funding opportunities from the DC Government:
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Creative and Open Space Modernization Tax Rebate
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Open for Applications
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Special Event Relief Fund -
Open for Applications
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Vitality Fund
-
Open for Applications
Go to
ObviouslyDC.com
for more information on all of these programs.
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💸Commission on the Arts and Humanities Art Bank Program (ABP) Grant
Amount: Variable; Deadline: May 19th
Learn more here
CAH seeks grant applications from qualified artists and District nonprofit art galleries or organizations representing metropolitan artists for the acquisition of original two- and three-dimensional artwork including, but not limited to, ceramics; drawings; fabric arts; mixed media works; paintings; photographs; prints and sculptures.
💸TD Bank Charitable Foundation Capacity Building Fund
Amount: Variable; Deadline May 20th
Learn more here
Funds nonprofit organizations that provide essential services like job training, arts programs and housing assistance. Provides grants for training, talent, tools and tactics to further help their programs succeed.
💸Nathan Cummings Foundation Grants for Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
Amount: Variable; Deadline June 30th
Learn more here
Funding is available to nonprofits committed to advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice through transformative initiatives. Proposals that demonstrate long-term impact are prioritized.
💸Exelon Corporate Giving Program
Amount: Variable
Learn more here
Provides grants to nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a proven track record in addressing key community needs. Funding priorities include education, the environment, arts and culture, and local programs and services.
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💸Funding for Latino-Owned Businesses
Are you interested in starting or expanding your business? Our team of business coaches can provide you with one-on-one advice and training to help you manage and grow your business.
Apply online
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💸 Amazon Black Business Accelerator
The Amazon Black Business Accelerator is dedicated to helping build sustainable equity and growth for Black entrepreneurs by enabling their success as sellers.
More information
.
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Additional Funding Opportunities:
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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Sponsor one of our community events! Partner with our community while reaching some of the city's most desirable demographics. For details, contact
Kristen Barden
at
202-997-0783.
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BOARD MEETINGS
The Board of Directors of the Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District meets on the second Tuesday of every month (except August, October, and December).
Meetings are currently being held online as well as in-person (hybrid) and begin at 5pm.
Our Annual Meeting is held in March. Contact
Brian Barrie
for information about attending board meetings.
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©
Adams Morgan Partnership
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