This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.
Joy! The word itself imbues happiness, positivity, and hope.
We need more joy in this world.
We celebrated the Joy of Black Entrepreneurship at the BizLaunch Brunch and Business on Wednesday, June 8 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City. Four Arlington business owners told the truth of their entrepreneurial journeys and shared their motivation, support, challenges and unending joy of starting and sustaining a business.
Arlington business owners Jennifer Jones of Cosmopolitan Plated; Rudy Burwell of Encompass Supply; Daniel Logan of Columbia Pike Laundry and Khadeeja Honesty of Soultry Brand spoke about their motivation and the “why,” they got into business. The entrepreneurial journeys were tough and not always easy; however, steadfastness, authenticity, a focus on customer service and doing what they loved helped them to succeed.
According to a recently released Brookings Metro Report and Path to 1555, “…if our community grew at least 15% of Black businesses, you would create in the United States 600,000+ new jobs and add $55 billion to the U.S. economy.” The importance of supporting our diverse ecosystem is a win for us all.
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St. Charles offers a play-based curriculum in a welcoming, Christ-centered environment.
Our program focuses on socio-emotional development and kindergarten readiness through hands-on and engaging activities. Our programs offer different schedules ranging from 7:30 am-5:30 pm for students, ages 2-5. We feature a full-day Jr. kindergarten class for older 4’s/5’s. Our facility includes a full-sized gymnasium, school chapel, and library. All of our students enjoy music and physical education weekly. Children have an opportunity to participate in enrichment classes such as soccer, basketball, ballet, and science.
We offer Summer Camp with weekly themes and twice a week water play, including Fun Friday moon bounce. Please join us for our Open House Feb. 3 at 9:30 am and 11:00 am. Click here to sign-up.
For more information or to schedule a tour, visit us at www.stcharlesarlington.org or call (703) 527-0608.

If you are a lifelong learner over 50+ who wants to make new friends, power up your brain, and enjoy a wide-variety college-level courses, Encore Learning is for you. An Arlington based nonprofit, Encore Learning offers courses in the arts, theater, literature, history, technology and more. This semester we offer our most popular course, Global Hot Spots as well as 25 new courses. Courses are presented either online or in-person at George Mason University at Virginia Square and other Arlington locations.
Join the free presentation to learn about courses and meet the instructors. This is Encore Learning’s signature event to highlight the upcoming semester with brief presentations by each instructor.
The Spring Course Preview event is Thursday, February 2nd at 9:30 AM via Zoom:
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Live Standup Comedy Starring Casey James Salengo (Jimmy Kimmel Live,…
Casey James Salengo is a NYC based comedian who’s been featured on Comedy Central Presents, Jimmy Kimmel Live, This Week at the Cellar, and HBO’s Pause with Sam Jay. He performs at clubs, bars, road houses, carnival tents, erotic book