The economic instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, and exacerbated, the vast inequality that exist in this country. Two industries that have been hit hard by the pandemic are the arts and small businesses, particularly those led by entrepreneurs of color. To address these challenges, in partnership with Cities of Service and the District Of Columbia Office of Planning (OP), the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) launched RESILIENT TOGETHER, a creative placemaking grant program designed to support local artist and small business partnerships.
In response to an open call, six Artist/Small Business partnerships – all rooted in the Ward 8 community and led by people of color – were selected to receive up to $5,000 to develop creative strategies to attract and sustain their customer base as they continue to adapt to the changing circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Selection Committee member, Carol Rhodes Dyson shared that “the pool of ideas and talent provided a snapshot into the bright future of Ward 8, its diverse community, and culturally aligned businesses and entrepreneurial efforts” Below are the Artist/Small Business partnerships, and their RESILIENT TOGETHER initiatives:
Located in the Anacostia Arts Center, The Fresh Food Factory will collaborate with DC artist, Luis Peralta Del Valle to create a digital storytelling project connecting food, health, and wellbeing in collaboration with local community partners and youth. The digital piece will uplift the importance of community health by highlighting the social and economic disparities regarding access to food, and provide tools and resources to improve health outcomes, and will commemorate a community member’s commitment to health equity with an artistic rendering
Hair Sprinkles will award two Hair Sprinkles Apprenticeship scholarships. Through the program, the two apprentices will go undergo training to become certified Hair Sprinkles Artists. Later on, they’ll collaborate with photographer Erika Lane, filmmaker Allysa Lisbon, graphic designer Nia Calhoun, and make-up artists Ciara Talley and Holly Fitzgeralds to showcase the work of the apprentices, and the creative expression of Black women through film and photography.
Liff’s Market will partner with artist, Darius Hill, to create two murals on the side of this store building located on Alabama Ave. The murals will honor the history of the community by depicting symbols of DC’s historic Gogo music, including the rich musical history of neighboring Ballou High School. Additionally, the business and artist will partner with Congress Heights Community Training and Development Corporation and youth organizations to engage the community in the design and creation of the murals.
Mahogany Books, located in Anacostia, will work with writer and cultural commentator Panama Jackson, to form a small cohort of Ward 8 based, Black writers. Writers will be featured on BlackBooksMatter.com and tackle issues faced by Ward 8 and the larger Black Community over the last 12 months. The project will feature often overlooked writers and create a space for African Americans to tell their own stories in their own words as a means of cultivating community and healing.
Open Crumb has partnered with architectural designer and artist, Nicolette Gordon, to create two food educational pieces. The first is an architectural canvas of Anacostia that depicts key historic landmarks and tells the food history story of the community. Additionally, digital postcards will be developed highlighting the unique history of Open Crumb, their West African inspired cuisine, and the importance of healthy food sources.
We Act Radio, in partnership with DC based musicians, Tamika Love Jones and Malik DOPE, will host a virtual event amplifying the voices of the community though listener stories of survival and triumph over this past year. The event will also feature live performances from local DC musicians, including musicians native to Ward 8.
This initiative specifically targeted businesses run by entrepreneurs of color located in DC's Ward 8, a community with deep Black artistic and cultural roots. The partnerships were selected by The RESILIENT TOGETHER Selection Committee, which consisted of Ward 8-based artists and community members, as well as LISC and OP representatives. The Selection Committee members are:
Carol Rhodes Dyson, Art Curator, Busboys and Poets
John Johnson, Native Washingtonian and Found of Verbal Gymnastics Theare Company
Irasema Salcido, Founder, Cesar Chavez Public Chater School & LISC DC LAC Member
Josh Silver, Lead Planner for Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, DC Office of Planning
Brenda Lee Richardson, President, Chozen Consulting LLC
These partnerships will be an avenue to generate interest and customers for the local businesses through artistic expression that reflects the culture and community of DC’s Ward 8. Additionally, several of the businesses are in, or adjacent to, Opportunity Zones. The Opportunity Zone incentive is a financial tool designed to support community economic growth priorities.
We look forward to seeing the completed vision of the Artist/Small Business partnerships. Selection Committee member Brenda Lee Richardson shared that “this project speaks to LISC’s and the Selection Committee members commitment to equity and creatively elevating the economy in Ward 8 during a pandemic”. LISC remains committed to providing the DC community with the tools and resources needed to not only withstand uncertainty, but to create a more resilient future. To stay up to date on LISCs initiatives, sign up for our newsletter.