Testimonials

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN

Elijah Moses​

Elijah Moses​

Urban Equity Consulting Group

Urban Equity Consulting Group has had a remarkable and mutually rewarding experience working with the District of Columbia government and DSLBD. Since 2020, our journey as a CBE in the nation's capital has been nothing short of transformative. The DSLBD team was both engaging and thorough.

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Urban Equity Consulting Group has had a remarkable and mutually rewarding experience working with the District of Columbia government and DSLBD. Since 2020, our journey as a CBE in the nation's capital has been nothing short of transformative. The DSLBD team was both engaging and thorough.

Our assertive approach to proposal development, continuously staying abreast of opportunities and working with DSLBD and the CBE community, has helped us to work with over 10 government agencies. We have offered project management, professional staff development, workforce, business and organizational development services to the D.C. Government and several local businesses.

Over the years, we've been fortunate to secure several contracts with the D.C. government, thanks to our CBE status. Through the Office of Procurement (OCP) we also joined several Supply Schedules. These proposals and contracts have not only provided us with opportunities for growth but have also allowed us to make a positive impact on the local community and local hiring. All of our team members are D.C. residents. We've had the privilege of working on various projects, from community outreach initiatives to workforce development programs, that aim to uplift the District and its residents. We landed a significant contract with DCHR Center for Learning and Development to train D.C. government staff. The support and trust from the D.C. government have played pivotal roles in our company's success.

One of the most valuable aspects of our collaboration with DSLBD has been the networking and educational events they organize. These events have been immensely beneficial, providing us with the chance to connect with other CBEs and government officials, exchange ideas, and explore potential partnerships.

We look forward to continued visionary leadership under Director Rosemary Suggs-Evans who has always been an advocate of the CBE Community. Many blessings on her as she leads in her new calling and appointment.​

Stacie Whisonant​

Stacie Whisonant​

AllBETs​​

As a black woman and a service-connected disabled resident of Washington D.C., my journey as a business owner has been both empowering and challenging. Washington D.C. has a vast amount of resources, and the personal touch I've experienced when collaborating with various agencies has been invaluable. Despite the complexities of navigating the District's regulatory maze, the unique advantages far outweigh the hurdles.

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As a black woman and a service-connected disabled resident of Washington D.C., my journey as a business owner has been both empowering and challenging. Washington D.C. has a vast amount of resources, and the personal touch I've experienced when collaborating with various agencies has been invaluable. Despite the complexities of navigating the District's regulatory maze, the unique advantages far outweigh the hurdles.

One of the most significant benefits of establishing my business in D.C. is the accessibility and favorability of the wagering license. Compared to other states, the process here is more affordable and conducive to entrepreneurship. This has not only facilitated the launch of my business but has also provided a stable foundation for growth and expansion.

Moreover, D.C.’s commitment to diversity and inclusion has opened doors that might have remained closed elsewhere. Being in a city that not only recognizes but champions the value of having minority and disabled business owners in the marketplace has been a game-changer. The employees of the District are accessible and relatable.

I’ve been provided with mentorship, financial support, and community engagement, which have been instrumental in shaping my business strategies and operational models. For example, I’ve been a recipient of the Innov Loan Fund which is a mission-driven social lender that provides innovative and equitable business financing to D.C.-based businesses in industries that would not normally be able to qualify for federally backed loan funds. According to my D.C.–based lender, the direct quote was “The Innov Loan Fund is proud to support all BETs with a business loan since they are in a space–gaming technology–that would otherwise not be eligible for funding from more traditional social enterprises”

For these reasons and more, Washington D.C. has been the ideal launchpad for my business venture, and I am looking forward to continuing to grow in the District. As suspected, the team at DSLBD exceeded my expectations and offered an unmatched level of support. DSLBD personnel assisted me in obtaining three DC Supply Schedules, marketing efforts to the U.S. Federal Government, proposal and grant reviews, and ongoing operational support. NJ3Q has prime contracts with various DC government agencies, the State of Maryland, WMATA, WSSC, and the Department of the Navy.   

Kiel Chesley

Kiel Chesley

NJ3Q

I launched NJ3Q in September of 2021 — just after the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. I had always wanted to start a business, and the downtime afforded to me during the pandemic lockdown offered the level of focus I needed to start the process. Having served in a business development capacity for two CBE firms, I immediately engaged with the team at DSLBD to obtain my CBE certification and seek additional guidance.

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I launched NJ3Q in September of 2021 — just after the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. I had always wanted to start a business, and the downtime afforded to me during the pandemic lockdown offered the level of focus I needed to start the process. Having served in a business development capacity for two CBE firms, I immediately engaged with the team at DSLBD to obtain my CBE certification and seek additional guidance.

As suspected, the team at DSLBD exceeded my expectations and offered an unmatched level of support. DSLBD personnel assisted me in obtaining three DC Supply Schedules, marketing efforts to the U.S. Federal Government, proposal and grant reviews, and ongoing operational support. NJ3Q has prime contracts with various DC government agencies, the State of Maryland, WMATA, WSSC, and the Department of the Navy.   

Further, in the first 12 months of operation, NJ3Q grossed over $1M in total receipts as a government contractor and exceeded that amount for year two.   

While the company is still in its relative infancy, and there is hesitation in announcing that we will continue to experience the success achieved in the first 24 months, I am confident to state that our feat would not have been possible without the support of our partners at DSLBD.   

Rob Thorne

Rob Thorne

Public Performance Management

As a DC Native, I started Public Performance Management (PPM) over a decade ago, to serve my hometown—DC— first among all customers. As we provide products and services towards the IT, Operations and Energy Efficiency initiatives to over 55 District, federal, state and local government agencies, DSLBD and the Green Book have been instrumental in our growth from a small services company to a one-stop-shop for some of the District’s largest goals and objectives.

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As a DC Native, I started Public Performance Management (PPM) over a decade ago, to serve my hometown—DC— first among all customers. As we provide products and services towards the IT, Operations and Energy Efficiency initiatives to over 55 District, federal, state and local government agencies, DSLBD and the Green Book have been instrumental in our growth from a small services company to a one-stop-shop for some of the District’s largest goals and objectives.

Through our partnership with DSLBD and use of the Green Book, we have been able to create an annual blueprint for scaling our business inside and outside of DC. The Green Book helps us understand the District’s demand for goods and services, and where spending is prioritized. We then work with our supply chain and professional service eco-system to fulfill demand with competitive pricing and top quality. The Green Book’s transparency, with prioritized budgets for procurement from CBEs, has been a significant driver for us to confidently invest in our capabilities and capacity, as it takes lead time to be ready for strategic opportunities. Specifically, the Green Book has helped us target IT consulting services towards agencies like DC Public Schools, Office of the Chief Technology Officer and Department of General Services, in addition to our IT full suite of hardware, infrastructure and applications. Similarly, our product and service portfolio for Operations and Energy Efficiency has expanded rapidly alongside our technology business, at agencies like the Department of Buildings, and the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.

Carmen Fells

Carmen Fells

Global Incite​​

Global Incite (GI) has always been deeply committed to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The pandemic necessitated a shift in our focus from international development programs to less travel-intensive work, bringing our environmental and energy consulting services to the forefront. We initially primarily marketed to the federal government, leveraging our familiarity and prior experience with federal clients.

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Global Incite (GI) has always been deeply committed to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The pandemic necessitated a shift in our focus from international development programs to less travel-intensive work, bringing our environmental and energy consulting services to the forefront. We initially primarily marketed to the federal government, leveraging our familiarity and prior experience with federal clients.

The transition posed challenges. However, it also opened doors for us to innovate in our marketing strategies and to expand our client base. Through APEX Accelerators (previously PTAC) Global Incite was connected with Senior Procurement Specialist Venessa Kadiri, who consistently provided crucial support and business advice over the years, including encouraging me to also market to D.C. government. Inspired by her advice, I began to search for D.C. government opportunities and, in November of 2020, Global Incite achieved D.C. Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) status.

Global Incite’s CBE status provided opportunities to apply for and be awarded several DSLBD grants. These grants were instrumental in propelling the company forward, particularly the CBE Green Grant allowed us to work within one of our core competency areas of sustainable energy and assist other CBEs in securing green energy contracts. This opportunity to champion other small businesses, while focusing on sustainability, resonated deeply with both Global Incite’s core values and my personal passion and has by far proven to be the most fulfilling aspect of our efforts with DSLBD. It was also an honor to be acknowledged as the only company to win the CBE Green Grant twice. All of the grants awarded are a testament to DSLBD’s devotion to our progression and that of small businesses in general and we are truly grateful!

We appreciate the relationships and opportunities that the D.C. government and DSLBD have fostered, which have been instrumental in our growth and have enriched our journey. As we move forward, Global Incite’s dedication to excellence, efficiency, and sustainability remains. We eagerly anticipate future collaborations with the D.C. government and intend to utilize our expertise in environmental and energy consulting along with program management to deliver solutions and exceptional customer service, while also remaining focused on having a positive impact on the small business community.

My overall vision for Global Incite remains unwavering: to promote a sustainable and resilient future, one project at a time and I am confident that our continued relationship with D.C. government and DSLBD will help ensure that vision is realized!​

Darren Peters​

Darren Peters​

Peter Damon Group LLC

We have operated Peter Damon Group LLC since 2017. We are a strategic public affairs, business development, and event management consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. Along with our range of high-level alliances, the PDG Team has a wealth of public and private sector relationships engaged to support the varied business interests of our clients.

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We have operated Peter Damon Group LLC since 2017. We are a strategic public affairs, business development, and event management consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. Along with our range of high-level alliances, the PDG Team has a wealth of public and private sector relationships engaged to support the varied business interests of our clients.

Since we have engaged with DSLBD, we have become a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) and have taken advantage of the overwhelming support we receive from them as well. We were recently awarded a contract to work with Events DC and have received numerous procurement opportunities from them.  The CBE designation we have has also enabled us to develop many new relationships with various entities within the city. 

We appreciate the friendly service we receive from the professional DSLBD staff with individuals who are seriously committed to seeing the success of small businesses like Peter Damon Group.​

DeWayne Holley

DeWayne Holley

RizeUp Technology ​

RizeUp Technology Training is a staffing company that offers temporary support for the District of Columbia government, federal government and private industries. We are a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE), which allows RizeUp to secure contracts with the District of Columbia.

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RizeUp Technology Training is a staffing company that offers temporary support for the District of Columbia government, federal government and private industries. We are a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE), which allows RizeUp to secure contracts with the District of Columbia.


As we continue to navigate and explore opportunities through research and obtaining contracts, the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) has played a pivotal role in assisting our staff through one-on-one sessions in targeting opportunities with the District of Columbia and federal government. Our staffing services have successfully assisted D.C. residents in securing both temporary and permanent positions with various D.C. government agencies. Our staffing services have covered a wide range, including roles such as Information Technology Support, Developers, Project Managers, Administrators and Media Production. One of our main focuses is assisting young adults in transitioning into the workforce—providing direction in securing thriving careers.​

Karen Butts

Karen Butts

K Consulting Group, LLC

K-Consulting Group, LLC, is a small and local Certified Business Enterprise, a woman-owned minority business management firm, specializing in providing an array of business practice services for profit and nonprofit entities.

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K-Consulting Group, LLC, is a small and local Certified Business Enterprise, a woman-owned minority business management firm, specializing in providing an array of business practice services for profit and nonprofit entities. Launched in 2008, KCG links strategies to the implementation and assisting of our client leaders in achieving their desired business goals by offering an interdisciplinary collaborative approach to meet long-term development of operations and capacity-building goals. Along with immediate funding and management priorities, our focus areas are business management, organizational development, proposal writing, and advisory services. KCG’s results have helped our clients deliver best practices to core operations needed in a business to produce successful outcomes and bring value to their customers.

DSLBD and its CBE program have been great resources in the growth and development of our company over the past 16 years. We have been a certified CBE for nine years. Being part of the CBE program allows us to  have access to many local procurement opportunities. These opportunities have been instrumental in our  continued and steady revenue growth over the last nine years, especially during the difficult two years of COVID-19. DSLBD provides informative and educational training resources, which have enabled us  to be prepared for the ongoing changes in local regulations, requirements, opportunities and future business practices as a D.C.-owned small business. The staff at DSLBD have always been available and responsive to our needs and offer support in many other areas of business as well. It is very apparent  that obtaining CBE certification has been an excellent business decision for our company and one that we highly recommend to the clients we serve.

Thank you, DSLBD, you believe and understand and know that supporting and promoting our local  businesses are essential to the growth and development of our communities. We thank Mayor Bowser and her  entire cabinet for supporting the great work that DSLBD is doing—providing local business owners through their  continued guidance and leadership. DSLBD is working diligently to ensure that the District of Columbia  local businesses are afforded a fair opportunity to grow.​

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Phone: (202) 727-3900
Fax: (202) 654-6032
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