Washington, D.C

Amazon recognized as a top corporate philanthropist in the Washington, D.C., metro region

Published

2 years ago

December 2, 2022

Amazon recognized as a top corporate philanthropist in the Washington, D.C., metro region

Amazon was acknowledged as one of many high company philanthropists this 12 months within the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia metro area by The Washington Enterprise Journal. This recognition is a testomony to our dedication to the realm, which is dwelling to our second headquarters (HQ2) in Arlington, Virginia, and it’s solely the start.

Since asserting that Amazon’s HQ2 could be situated in Arlington in 2018, we’ve dedicated greater than $88 million to native nonprofits, neighborhood teams, and colleges across the area. This assist is targeted on addressing challenges like inexpensive housing, racial fairness, sustainability, and fairness in schooling.

We all know that success and scale convey broad duty, and we attempt to be neighbor within the communities the place our staff and their households dwell and work. After we selected Arlington as the location of our second headquarters, we made a dedication to weave ourselves into the material of our HQ neighborhoods and be among the many most trusted enterprise and neighborhood companions within the area.

We work day-after-day to be a trusted neighborhood companion, and it’s an honor to obtain this recognition. We’re grateful to the various neighborhood leaders and organizations that we companion with to make sure we’re making probably the most impactful contributions—whether or not that be our volunteer time, in-kind donations, or monetary assist.

Not too long ago, Amazon was additionally acknowledged by the Enterprise Journal as the highest company philanthropist within the Puget Sound area, dwelling to our different headquarters.

Learn extra about a few of Amazon’s investments in Arlington:

Uplifting communities

We’re partnering with nonprofits, civic teams, and neighborhood leaders to spur inclusive financial progress throughout the HQ2 area with a selected give attention to schooling, racial fairness, inexpensive housing, and regional financial improvement.

This consists of our partnership with the nonprofit Doorways VA and its work to create pathways for folks out of homelessness, home violence, and sexual assault into safer, extra steady, and empowered lives. On the peak of the pandemic, because the group was pushed past its capability, we supported Doorways VA in its efforts to increase shelter and community-based companies. We additionally supported Doorways VA because it expanded housing for purchasers and elevated entry to disaster, authorized, and medical counseling.

Fairness in schooling

We all know probably the most essential methods we will drive inclusive financial progress within the area is by supporting equitable outcomes in schooling and expertise coaching. We’re grateful for and proud to assist the work of our companions, just like the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia. The nonprofit’s mission is to show adults the fundamental expertise of studying, writing, talking, and understanding English to allow them to entry employment and academic alternatives. Our funding supported the group’s pivot to digital studying in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we’ve continued to assist their now hybrid schooling mannequin.

We’re additionally proud to be working with the NAACP Future Leaders Scholarship Award program that gives scholarships to Arlington college students with monetary wants.

And we’re advancing schooling efforts in science, expertise, engineering, and math (STEM) within the area via the first-ever AWS Suppose Large House at Wakefield Excessive College. The Suppose Large House is an built-in surroundings the place all the things—from the furnishings to the expertise to the curriculum—work collectively to assist interactive hands-on studying. The Suppose Large House prioritizes customized studying to have interaction college students of all ages, pursuits, and skills.

Regional cultural occasions

Amazon is dedicated to supporting beloved regional occasions, together with the Nationwide Cherry Blossom Pageant, and utilizing our assist to drive patrons to the small and minority-owned companies in our new neighborhood, Nationwide Touchdown. This 12 months, we introduced the Nationwide Cherry Blossom Pageant to Nationwide Touchdown via occasions like a kite competition at Virginia Highlands Park and a music competition at Lengthy Bridge Park. We additionally supported Capital Delight—and for the primary time, greater than 100 Amazon staff walked within the Delight Parade this 12 months in assist of the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood.

Sustainability

We’re dedicated to and invested in sustainability as a result of it’s good for the planet, for enterprise, for our clients, and for our communities. Within the HQ2 area, we’re partnering with EcoAction Arlington to extend the tree cover in communities with higher-than-average minority populations and other people dwelling in poverty. Information reveals that these neighborhoods are sometimes probably the most impacted by inadequate tree cowl. The shortage of timber has a real-world impression that may result in poor bodily and psychological well being outcomes, increased utility prices, and a decrease high quality of life.

Rendering of courtyard area near Amazon's new HQ2 location in Arlington, Virginia

Dedication to housing fairness

Probably the most vital challenges we face within the area is the provision of inexpensive housing, and we consider that the non-public sector and governments can do extra to companion collectively.

By means of the Amazon Housing Fairness Fund, we’ve contributed greater than $900 million to assist inexpensive housing within the Arlington and metro-Washington, D.C., areas, with extra to return. Because the launch of Amazon Housing Fairness Fund in mid 2021, our efforts have helped create and protect greater than 6,000 inexpensive houses. Primarily based on knowledge supplied by Arlington County, the funding has helped improve long-term inexpensive multifamily housing inventory in Arlington by 22%.

We all know there may be extra work to be achieved. That is just the start of our assist of the broader neighborhood all through the HQ2 area. We’re grateful to all of our companions and neighbors, and we stay up for working collectively to proceed to drive inclusive financial progress throughout the area.

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Washington, D.C

Thousands to make their voices heard at People's March days before inauguration

Published

6 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Thousands to make their voices heard at People's March days before inauguration

As D.C. prepares for Inauguration Day, tens of thousands of activists are preparing to make their voices heard.

Days before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in at the U.S. Capitol again, several grassroots groups will descend on the District Saturday for the People’s March, which has the same organizers behind the 2017 Women’s March.

“Talking about immigration, talking about peace, talking about abortion access, talking about racial justice and reproductive justice,” said Tamika Middleon, the managing director for Women’s March.

Like previous marches, organizers say Saturday’s event is part of a long term resistance strategy to proposed policies of the incoming Trump Administration

“And so we are trying to create opportunities for people to be together, and that’s really our message, is for people to find ways for them to engage with each other,” Middleon said.

Several Metro stations and several streets will be closed Monday for the inauguration, but the 18th will also be a busy day on D.C. roads

People’s March organizers say there will be three meet up locations Saturday before they march to the Lincoln Memorial: Farragut Square, where groups will focus on democracy, immigration, climate and military; Franklin Park, a starting point for gender justice activists, women’s rights and LGBTQ+ groups; and McPherson Square, ground zero for many local grassroots organizations.

“We’re going to be specifically focusing on D.C. issues,” said Megan Salmon with Spaces in Action.

Salmon said they’ve been busy coordinating with local volunteers ahead of Saturday, and even though a lot has changed since Trump took office in 2017, their commitment to the cause hasn’t — and they’re ready for what’s next.

“Organizers have been preparing for a moment like this for way longer than it was talked about, so it wasn’t just since the election, it wasn’t just since the campaign trail,” Salmon said. “I do think that the resistance is strategic, but I do think that’s not just a reflection of the moment we’re in. I think it’s a longer term fight.”

All of those groups are set to meet up at the Lincoln Memorial, and that big rally is scheduled to go from about 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

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Washington, D.C

SAPD to send 61 officers to Washington DC for Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration

Published

14 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

SAPD to send 61 officers to Washington DC for Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration

WASHINGTON D.C. – Safety is a priority at the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump next week.

San Antonio police is sending 61 officers to Washington, D.C., to assist the Metropolitan Police Department while Trump is sworn into office.

SAPD deployed 45 officers when Trump took office for the first time in 2017.

The increase in officers being sent this time reflects heightened security concerns and a greater emphasis on ensuring the safety of all attendees.

In addition to SAPD’s presence, law enforcement agencies nationwide are also mobilizing to provide support.

As preparations continue, authorities urge attendees to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

The 60th presidential inauguration ceremony will begin at noon EST on Jan. 20.

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Washington, D.C

List: What to do in the DC area this week and weekend, Jan. 13-19

Published

22 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

List: What to do in the DC area this week and weekend, Jan. 13-19

We share the best things to do every weekend in The Weekend Scene newsletter – it’s completely free to subscribe!

Call it D.C.’s biggest hits: Pandas, the Commanders, MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade are all on tap this week – and that’s before we even get to Inauguration Day!

Of course, if you want to see a panda this week, you must be a National Zoo member. But anyone can grab their free pass to visit the National Zoo once the pandas make their public debut on Jan. 24. The only thing you’ll need to see the pandas is your zoo pass… plus, patience and warm clothes. Expect a line to get into the panda habitat!

But everyone can watch the Commanders face the Lions at 8 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday, sixth-seeded Washington upset the No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Can they clinch against the division leader? Every sports bar will be screening this highly anticipated showdown.

Here’s what else to do this week in the Washington, D.C. area.

What to do in Washington, D.C.

Hands-on Landscape Painting with Paloma Vianey: Weds., 6-8 p.m., Phillips@THEARC, 1801 Mississippi Ave, SE, free but registration required

NMWA Nights: Weds., 5:30 to 8 p.m., National Museum of Women in the Arts, $25

DC Improv Date Night: Weds., 7:30 p.m., DC Improv, $99 for food and drink package or $15 for general admission

Rock the Rink at The Wharf: Thurs., 6-10 p.m., The Wharf Ice Rink, anyone in Capitals gear gets $5 off admission

National Symphony Orchestra on the Millennium Stage: Fri., 6 p.m., The Kennedy Center, free but arrive early to get tickets

MLK Shabbat: Visions of Freedom and Justice: Fri., 7 p.m., Sixth & I, free

Concert: Mo Lowda & The Humble and Illiterate Light: Fri., 8 p.m., 9:30 Club, $25

20th Annual MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade: Sat., 11 a.m., Entertainment & Sports Arena, free

MLK Day of Service: Pope Branch Park cleanup with Anacostia Riverkeeper: Sat., 2900 M Place Southeast, free

Nerd Nite irreverent lecture series: Sat., doors 6 p.m., DC9, $10 (in advance) or $15 (day of)

Black A** Comedy: Sat., 7 p.m., Busboys and Poets 14th Street, $25

Charli x Sabrina x Chappell Dance Party: Sat., Black Cat, $10

Defying Gravity: A Wicked Party: Sat., Union Stage, $15+

Ye Olde Feast of Saint Vincent of Zaragossa!: Sun., 2 p.m., St. Vincent Wine at 3212 Georgia Ave NW, $72

Let Freedom Ring Celebration featuring Christopher Jackson and esperanza spalding, hosted by Taye Diggs: Sun., 7:30 p.m. The Kennedy Center, free (note: ticket giveaway begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Hall of Nations, limited to two tickets per person)

Union Stage Presents: Rare Essence , EU feat. Sugar Bear, DCVybe: Sun., 8:30 p.m., Howard Theatre, $55

Last chance – “Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment”: Through Sun., the National Gallery of Art, free

What to do in Maryland

Theater: “What the Constitution Means to Me”: Jan. 15 to Feb. 16, Round House Theatre, $50+

SA-ROC (+ DJ OSO Fresh After Party): Fri., BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, $35

Yoga at Brookside Gardens: Sat., 9:30 a.m., Wheaton, $14

Say It Loud: A Celebration of the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Sat., BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown

Be’la Dona Brunch: Sun., 2 p.m., Bethesda Theater, $41.45 (including fees)

“Paper Dreams” at Imagination Stage: Through Feb. 16, Bethesda, $19.50

What to do in Virginia

Sean Gavin and Josh Dukes in Concert: Thurs., 7-9 p.m., Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, $25 ($10 under 18)

Comedy – Justin Martindale: Fri. and Sat., Arlington Cinema Drafthouse, $20

Silly Suds: Humorous Soapmaking Workshop: Sat., 9 a.m. to noon, Del Ray Artisans Gallery in Alexandria, $45-$55, plus $10 supply fee (must register by Weds.)

NOVA Wine Expo: Sat., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dulles Expo Center, $40+

Presidential Transitions Lecture & Historic Document Viewing: Sat., noon to 3 p.m., George Washington Presidential Library, $10

La Vang Lunar New Year Festival: Sat. and Sun., Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, $10 ($5 with student ID or for kids 2 to 11)

Comedy Night in Leesburg Presented By The DC Improv: Sat., Tally Ho Theater in Leesburg, $20-$32

Ice & Lights-The Winter Village at Cameron Run: Through Feb. 23, Cameron Run Regional Park in Alexandria, $8.55+

Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.

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