Destination DC Unveils DEI Business Fellowship Program

Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, D.C., continues its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by supporting minority-owned local businesses and working to further expose students of color to hospitality careers.

“As we look at rebuilding the tourism and hospitality industry that has been severely impacted during the pandemic, we need to do so equitably,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, DDC. “We’re always focused on how tourism supports local, small businesses, as well as the image of our industry as young people enter the workforce.”

The inaugural “DEI Business Fellowship” program supports local businesses owned by people of color, LGBTQ+, women and disabled persons. Fellows receive a free, one-year membership to DDC, which offers access to marketing support and networking opportunities. The class of 2022 DEI fellows include: Barkado Wine Bar, BlueBoy Document Imaging, Corpora Studios, DC Sake, Fava Pot, Focus and Fabulous Events LLC, Holistically Original LLC, LayElleCee and Company LLC, Little Food Studio, Loop Now LLC, Red Bear Brewing, The Sales Liaison, Uncle Chip’s Cookies and Zurianas Elegant Occasion LLC. Applications for the DEI Fellowship 2023 cohort will be available this fall.

DDC also welcomes apprentices Jamar Root and Zoe Roberts as part of an apprenticeship program through Tourism Diversity Matters, an organization focused on creating diversity, equity and inclusion opportunities at all levels of the tourism and hospitality workforce. The program engages under-represented and ethnically diverse college students by providing hands-on experience in tourism and hospitality. DDC’s Ferguson serves as board chair of the nonprofit.

Root is currently a senior at the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, where he serves as a student ambassador and offers advice to students on internship opportunities. He is also the founder and host of “The Root of Everything” sports podcast. “I’m excited for the apprenticeship at DDC and look forward to exploring different areas of the sports and tourism industry,” said Root.

Zoe Roberts

Roberts is a senior at George Mason University where she is working toward a degree in Tourism & Events Management. During high school she was a member of the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism at Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C. She held a summer internship with the American Experience Foundation (AEF), DDC’s official affiliated non-profit focused on providing scholarships and career experience to local students. Roberts said that she hopes to enroll in a certification program after graduation to continue her growth as a tourism and events professional.

This spring, AEF will surpass $100,000 awarded as part of 42 scholarships over the past eight years. The scholarships support students on their journeys through higher education. The momentous occasion will launch AEF’s $100,000 campaign to raise funds for the program and assist the next generation of recipients.

DDC is also uniquely positioned to share the capital city’s history and experiences connected with racial and social equity. The “DEI District” launched in 2021 and provides curated content focused on how DC can be experienced through a DEI lens.

For more information, visit https://washington.org/dei.

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