Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie talks with Rhode Island Avenue NE business owners
On Tuesday, May 21st from 7:30am – 9:00am, Friends of Rhode Island Avenue (FoRIA) hosted its first monthly Business Bites networking event at FlipIt2 Bakery (1544 Rhode Island Avenue, NE). The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) and the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) sponsored the event.
More than 20 people came out for breakfast and a discussion about how to improve the business environment on Rhode Island Avenue, NE. Council Member Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) also joined the group, and shared his vision and work on behalf of Rhode Island Avenue with the DC City Council in the FY14 budget. ANC representatives Karla Butler (5C02) and Nolan Treadway (5C07) also attended.
“Veteran and new businesses on Rhode Island Avenue have let us know that they want a sense of community and collaboration. Bringing people together to help make that happen is central to the mission of FoRIA,” Executive Director Kyle Todd said. “We look forward to working with all the businesses on the Avenue, and helping them thrive in any way we can.”
The event was created in response to the results of a business needs survey conducted by FoRIA’s Business & Economic Development Committee in March 2013. On the survey, a number of businesses said they wanted to get to know the other business owners on the Avenue. This inaugural event was a trial run with the interested businesses.
The next Business Bites will be held on June 25th from 7:30am – 9:00am at FlipIt2 and the 4th Tuesday of every month thereafter. The event is free to attend, and open to all Rhode Island Avenue, NE entrepreneurs, business owners, and commercial property owners. If you would like to sponsor a Breakfast Bites event, please contact Kyle Todd for details and to make arrangements.
