Community

Wacif Named Nonprofit of the Year

WASHINGTON INFORMER — The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif), noted for its impact expanding economic opportunity and investing in equitable approaches across the District of Columbia, has been named the 2019 Nonprofit Organization of the Year.

Published

5 years ago

May 18, 2019

Oakland Post

By WI Web Staff

The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif), noted for its impact expanding economic opportunity and investing in equitable approaches across the District of Columbia, has been named the 2019 Nonprofit Organization of the Year.

Honored Friday by the D.C. Chamber of Commerce and the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development for its achievements during National Small Business Week, Wacif is certified to provide financial services in low-income communities and to people who lack access to financing.

“Being named the 2019 Nonprofit of the Year is a testament to our team’s commitment to equity and economic opportunity in communities that need it most,” said Wacif Executive Director Harold Pettigrew. “Creating economic pathways to entrepreneurship, and expanding businesses already venturing down that path, are more important than ever as economic imperatives to address the region’s wealth inequality. We are honored by this recognition from the D.C. Chamber of Commerce and DSLBD and will use it to deepen our support for entrepreneurs and the communities they anchor.”

Wacif’s latest honor reflects its growth trajectory.

In 2018, Wacif increased its loan volume by over 60 percent and more than doubled clients served through small business advisory services, which included 45 workshops and training events, over 260 one-on-one client advisement sessions, 14 commercial corridor visits to meet business owners, and the graduation of a new cohort of the Ascend Capital Accelerator.

Wacif’s lending activity aligned closely with its commitment to equity, with 100 percent of loans deployed in 2018 going to entrepreneurs of color, and 50 percent to women entrepreneurs. Geographically, Wacif’s largest lending areas were D.C.’s Wards 8, 5 and 7, as well as Prince George’s County and Baltimore City.

To learn more about Wacif’s programs, email info@wacif.org.

This article originally appeared in the Washington Informer.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

5 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.