ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
25-128
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
October 3, 2023
To recognize, honor, and celebrate Kristi C. Whitfield’s leadership as the Director of the
Department of Small and Local Business Development and contributions to the District
of Columbia, on the occasion of her transitioning to a new role outside of District
government.
WHEREAS, Kristi C. Whitfield was confirmed by the Council of the District of
Columbia as the Director of the Department of Small and Local Business Development on
February 6, 2018;
WHEREAS, Director Whitfield is the longest serving Director of the Department of
Small and Local Business Development;
WHEREAS, Director Whitfield led the Department of Small and Local Business
Development to give over one billion dollars to help small businesses thrive in a competitive
market;
WHEREAS, Director Whitfield re -envisioned programs to better serve resident
entrepreneurs from traditionally underserved communities such as Aspire and Dream Pitch,
which gained national recognition for assisting returning citizens and entrepreneurs located east
of the Anacostia River;
WHEREAS, Director Whitfield successfully reinvested nearly $9 million dollars in fines
levied and collected f rom prime contractors not meeting their required Small Business Enterprise
spend goals, going directly back into the small business community ensuring that local dollars
stay local;
WHEREAS, Director Whitfield led the creation of the digital version of the Green Book,
making it more accessible to Small Business Enterprises ensuring that critical resources reach
businesses that need assistance with navigating the local government procurement process;
WHEREAS, Director Whitfield led the effort for the District achieved record -breaking
spend with Small Business Enterprises of over $1 billion dollars within a fiscal year ;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, Director Whitfield led DC Art All Night to flourish to become a cornerstone
of the city's cultural calendar, with far-reaching positive impacts on the local economy where 22
DC Main Streets, four Business Improvement Districts, and seven DC libraries hosted over 600
activations at over 275 venues with 160,000 attendees across the city in 2022, making it the most
successful Art All Night festival in its 11- year history;
WHEREAS, Director Whitfield created the first- of-its-kind Equity Impact Enterprise
Grant Program to provide targeted financial assistance, where 240 businesses received $1.2
million dollars; and
WHEREAS, Director Whitfield’s implemented the District Enterprise System, a platform
that promotes ease of doing business with District government, increases the level of
transparency both businesses and the District have into the local contracting and procurement
process, and improves the District’s collection, tracking, and evaluation of spending and
demographic data.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Kristi C. Whitfield Ceremonial Recognition Resolution of 2023”
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes Director Whitfield for her
distinguished tenure at the Department of Small and Local Business Development and celebrates
her contributions to the city and innovative approach to serving the District’s small business
community.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.