Spring Staff 2023
Dear DLCP Team,
We take pride in fostering local business growth and building an equitable community. Since its inception, our agency has continued its commitment to protecting the economic interests of residents, businesses, and visitors while providing quality customer service. We have also stepped up on the consumer protection and regulation efforts, such as flavored tobacco and illegal towing operations in the District.
I am pleased that 93.36% of new business licenses received online are processed within one business day of submission. In addition, 98.63% of business license renewals are also processed within one business day. I invite you to visit our agency dashboard often for more information about these accomplishments and to remain informed about where we have opportunities for improvement.
When I accepted the role as Interim Director, I made a promise to listen to all feedback from the public and the DLCP team. That commitment remains; together, we will continue to boost our recruitment efforts by filling vacant positions, meeting the needs of those we serve, improving customer service, and providing more opportunities for cross-functional training in order to educate and empower our teams.
Again, I want to thank you for your dedication and commitment to serving our consumers.
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Shirley Kwan-Hui
Interim Director
 After a two-year hiatus of in-person sessions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DLCP's Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) team excitedly hosted a series of special workshops during the month of May.
Originally operating as Small Business Week, The SBRC held month long workshops both virtual and in-person to help entrepreneurs access the skills needed to thrive in the District. Of note, the Short-Term Rental team also hosted a powerful session as part of this series of events.
On May 23, guests were invited to attend a workshop centered on finance. Entrepreneurs, potential and existing small business owners attended The "Find Funding For Your Business" session, which speakers from private banking, government agencies and non-profit organizations gave insight on how to get a business established and how to move forward.
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On May 31, in partnership with the Latino Economic Development Center, attendees learned about budgeting principles and the fundamentals of growing a business.
These workshops were an overall success with approximately 380 attendees learning various strategies on business planning, regulatory process of obtaining a business license, funding and speaking to lawyers with the DC Bar Pro Bono Center.
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We thank our SBRC team for their commitment to start, expand and build resilient businesses in the District.
Recently, The National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) hosted a forum that offered personal developmental strategies for African Americans in local and state governments. Attendees were offered three different panel discussions that were all designed to encourage, promote, and support Black professionals who are in the field of public service.
Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection Communications Manager Charles Basham III talks about his skills and experiences working in DC government
DLCP's Communication Manager Charles Basham III had the honor of being a panelist. His comments emphasized the importance of focus turning your weaknesses into strengths. From Charles's perspective: "I've spent the last decade closing the gap on all of the skills I didn't yet have. Now, I'm actually getting to do exactly what I said I wanted to do years ago."
 DLCP's next All-Staff Meeting is scheduled for July 20 at 8:30 am. Information for attendance has been provided via Outlook. Please contact Charles Basham III, communications manager, should you have any additional questions at charles.basham@dc.gov.
As we continue to move towards the pathway of success in helping businesses and consumers thrive, we must recognize the progress we've made.
On Thursday, April 27 DLCP hosted an all-staff meeting. Interim Director Kwan-Hui shared strategic initiatives various departments are taking in strengthening DLCP's mission and the agency's accomplishments in the 2023 fiscal year, including those that were made in 2022.
Photo courtesy of William Morgan; Consumer Protection Unit Inspectors Antoine Walker, Christopher Peace and Account Manager Paul Caswell inspect missing signs and violations near the National Mall
On April 18, Interim Director Shirley Kwan-Hui, led a street and sidewalk vending walk-through near the National Mall. During the walk, Director Kwan-Hui and the team inspected missing or damaged vending signage and spotted vendors parked in unauthorized locations--these included vehicles failing to accommodate rush hour traffic and still parked after the 4 pm regulation.
Near the White House, inspectors noticed 18 vending sites that are no longer active away from vendors due to the recent installation of a bicycle lane.
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Our team understands the critical need to work with partner agencies to strengthen parking and vending enforcement during unauthorized times.
Please stay tuned as more updates to vending enforcement will be announced soon.
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DLCP Code Compliance Inspector Joseph Ferguson speaks with a customer during National Weights and Measures Week, March 1-7.
During the National Office of Weights and Measures Week, held from March 1 through March 7, the DLCP Weights and Measures team conducted outreach and completed drive-up inspections at three Giant stores across the District.
The intent of Weights and Measures Week is to promote a fair and equitable marketplace across the United States.
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This year's theme was "Collaborating With Partners and Stakeholders for a Greater Measure of Equity," and highlighted DLCP's efforts to ensure the accuracy of business transactions, increase consumer awareness and stop fraudulent business practices.
DLCP recognizes the hard work our staff and inspectors perform every day to help keep the District's consumers safe.
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DC Combat Sports Deputy Commissioner Sheldon Skip Brown offers greetings on behalf of the Commission and congratulatory remarks to honoree Rahman Ali
On February 24, DMV 48 Men of Power hosted a Black History Month tribute in honor of exemplary heavyweight boxer Rahman Ali. Mr. Ali happens to be the brother of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali.
The event welcomed many fans from the local religious communities, sports, and entertainment industry, including representatives from the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey and the Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Photo courtesy of The Washington Afro-American Newspaper; DC Combat Sports Deputy Commissioner Sheldon Skip Brown, Victory Sport Stadium Founder Atta Amin and Rahman's wife, Caroline Ali.
Deputy Commissioner Sheldon "Skip" Brown, Deputy Commission for the DC Combat and Sports Commission, offered moving remarks about the wonderful and inspiring career of Mr. Ali and the contributions of his family to the world.
Rahman Ali's wife Caroline was by his side as leaders awarded him with many tributes and proclamations from multiple levels of the District and local government.
In the Event we should have to evacuate the building please follow the procedures below:
Note: Do Not Use The Elevators
Primary Egress/Assemble Area
- When the fire alarm sounds, employees in the Business Licensing Center, located on the 2nd floor should exit the building from Stairwell 1 and exit the building to the street through the exit on the 4th Street side of the building.
- Once outside the building, take a left and walk towards M Street, at the corner of 4th and M street take a right and cross over 4th Street then continue down the block and gather in front of the Arena Stage at the corner of 6th and Maine Avenue and check-in with the assembly area monitor for your floor.
Assembly Monitor for the 2nd Floor is John Hart, if John is not at the assembly area you can sign in with an alternate from the second floor which is Claudia Herrera, India Blocker or Donise Peace.
- When the fire alarm sounds, employees in Suites E314 and 3174 should exit from stairwell 2, Suites E340 and E350 should exit from stairwell 1 located on the 3rd floor, and exit the building to the street through the exit on the 4th Street side of the building.
Note: Do not be confused by stairwell 1 or 2 just exit the stairwell that is closes to you.
- Once outside the building, take a left and walk towards M Street, at the corner of 4th and M street take a right and cross over 4th Street then continue down the block and gather in front of the Arena Stage 6th and Maine Avenue and check-in with the assembly area monitor for your floor.
Assembly Monitor for the 3rd Floor is Shantell Weaver-Thompson. If Shantell is not at the assembly area, you can sign in with an alternate from the third floor which is Nicole McClendon, L’Erin Garner-Holden or Marsita Bryant.
Note: If you can not make it to the assembly area at the Arena Stage due to medical reasons report to the open lot across the street adjacent to station 4 and remain there for further instructions.
Note: If you can not make it down the stairs due to medical reasons remain in the stairway and await further instructions.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Risk Management Coordinator Tania Williams.
As part of DLCP's commitment to providing access to information and ensuring a strong cyber security, we want to ensure that all of our systems are up-to-date with the latest security updates. Most of these updates are applied automatically to your computer, but require a reboot of your system in order to take effect.
We encourage everyone to restart their DC-issued computer on a daily basis. Since this may not always be possible, please restart your computer at least once a week. In addition to ensuring that security is up-to-date, a restart will also improve how your computer performs.
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