Vincent Orange, President and CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce, joined Alexander M. Padro, Executive Director of Shaw Main Streets, and a group of dignitaries including Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity Courtney Snowden, Department of Small and Local Business Development Director Ana Harvey, Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (Ward 5), Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) and Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (Ward 1) to conduct the ribbon cutting event.

The DC Chamber also partnered with Shaw Main Streets to cut 17 ribbons during Small Business Saturday, in November of 2016. 26 businesses have opened since then in central Shaw, bounded by 6th and 10th Streets, Barry Place, and Massachusetts and New York Avenues. More than 300 new businesses have opened in the Shaw district since 2003. 


“After cutting 17 ribbons again last November, we didn’t think we’d ever have another opportunity to do another event that large,” said Alexander M. Padro, Executive Director of Shaw Main Streets, the commercial revitalization nonprofit serving central Shaw’s 7th and 9th Streets, NW commercial corridors.  “Imagine our surprise when we realized this time, we’d be cutting 25 ribbons in one morning.” 


During the ceremony, Mr. Orange said it was a beautiful and blessed day in the neighborhood, and invited the business owners  to  join the DC Chamber of Commerce's growing network of business leaders.  


Vincent Orange along with Vice President of Contracts and Programs, Margaret Singleton, Vice President of Membership and Business Development, Janelle Morris, staff and interns were busy at work during the ribbon cuttings.  The DC Chamber distributed membership packets and information on joining the DC Health Link to each business owner.