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ICYMI: Earlier this week, the Washington Business Journal wrote an article covering my commitment to improving the District economy by leveraging District-backed development projects to create affordable housing and expand economic opportunity. Take a read!
 Start the New Year off the right way with fitness and nutrition. My
Second Annual Fresh Start 5K Run/Walk will take place at 9am on Friday,
January 1, 2016 starting at the Stadium-Armory Metro Station. In
preparation for the 5K we have another practice run/walk on Saturday,
December 19, 2015 at Freedom Plaza. For more information visit www.FitDC.com or register at http://2ndannualfresh5k.eventbrite.com.
A New Leader: Andy Shallal to Chair the Workforce Investment Council
During this week’s Workforce Investment Council (WIC) Quarterly Board Meeting, I announced Andy Shallal as the new chair. The WIC is a private sector-led board responsible for advising the Mayor, Council, and District Government on investments and strategies for the city’s workforce development and job training system. Andy has a deep commitment to the District and is the owner and founder of Busboys and Poets and Eatonville Restaurant. He has personally hired and trained hundreds of District residents, and I am thrilled he will lead the WIC and work closely with the Department of Employment Services to simplify, streamline, and align the District’s workforce development system to meet the needs of residents and employers.
 EdFest 2015!
Last Saturday, more than 200 traditional public schools and public charter schools and thousands of families from all eight wards gathered at the DC Armory for EdFEST 2015 to kick off the My School DC Common Lottery. The common application for the 2016-17 school year is now open at www.myschooldc.org and the deadlines are February 1st for grades 9-12 and March 1st for PK3-8. For any questions specific to My School DC Common Lottery, please call 202-888-6336 or email info.myschooldc@dc.gov.
The Power of Mentorship
 Last Thursday, I attended a holiday event for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Junior Special Agents Program. This program fosters mentorship and inspires our young people. With the FBI’s help, we are training future leaders on what it takes to keep our community safe and strong.
 Additionally, being a powerful mentor sometimes just means being there, being present, and being supportive. On Monday, I stopped by the newly opened gymnasium at Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School to attend the Ward 4 basketball rivalry between Roosevelt and Calvin Coolidge Senior High School. It was a great game and I commend the players’ sportsmanship. But what I enjoyed most, was the amount of family members and friends that came to watch the game. They came out to support, they were present, and they were there. It made a difference!
Career Stories: Job Spotlight: Nicole Tabron, Call Center Representative, Unemployment Insurance Tax Division at the DC Department of Employment Services
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On Monday, November 30, we welcomed 63 new L.E.A.P. Academy participants to the program who will be working with Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of Public Works. I am so proud of what our L.E.A.P. participants have accomplished – and Nicole Tabron, a Ward 5 DC native and a U.S. Army veteran, is one of those people and this week’s job spotlight.
Since September of this year, Nicole has worked as a call center representative for the Unemployment Insurance Tax Division at the DC Department of Employment Services.
When asked about her L.E.A.P. experience, Nicole stated:
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“As an Iraq veteran, my
transition to civilian life was not a walk in the park. It was very
challenging to manage my life and my two children after the service. I
discovered DOES only through L.E.A.P. and before that I depended on
finding employment on my own. I was successful once or twice with
trivial jobs, but nothing that served my true interest like my current
position.”
I thank Nicole for her service to our country, and her dedication to serving the District. Welcome aboard, Nicole!
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