Entertainment & Sports Arena: April 2022 Newsletter | Events DC

Honoring Candace Peguero: Vice President, Operations, Entertainment & Sports Arena

The 2022 VenuesNow and Pollstar Women of Live special celebrates the achievements of venue veterans, influence of top-level executives as well as the disruption of newcomers. The Women of Live special celebrates those working in the core venues, sports and food service sectors while always looking to take the venue industry to new and growing heights.

Candace Peguero serves as the Vice President of Operations at Entertainment & Sports Arena overseeing administration, public safety, event operations, facilities, event services, guest services and more, bringing 20 years of experience and other roles at Events DC at venues including RFK Stadium, DC Armory, and Walter E Washington Convention Center.

Along with implementing health and safety improvements such as enhancing HVAC systems and retrofitting the venue with automated hand sanitizers, Peguero was pleased to welcome back Mystics fans after a year-long hiatus “with health and safety of our guests and staff as our top priority.” She is also “proud of our efforts to develop and retain staff during this period in which our industry experienced significant turnover.”

Entertainment & Sports Arena is a prime example of the trend of small arenas filling niches in major markets, while also helping to redevelop a historic neighborhood. Candace's leadership has taken the Entertainment & Sports Arena to new heights! Events DC thanks you for all you do!

Colonial Athletic Association Honors DC Hometown Heroes

During the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Men's Basketball Tournament from March 5 - 8 at Entertainment and Sports Arena eight local individuals were in honored by the CAA for their work in their communities focused around Diversity Equity and Inclusion. Each awardee was presented with an award on the court and recognized during each game throughout the tournament weekend. Learn more about the honorees below:

1. Phillip Pannell

Philip Pannell is a Newport News, VA native and a graduate of Fordham University, and did graduate work at Howard University. He is a longtime community activist in the District of Columbia with a focus on neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River. As a Ward 8 resident Mr. Pannell has served as the executive director for the Anacostia Coordinating Council over the last 27 years where he continues to uplift the Ward 8 community with all his great work. Mr. Pannell formerly served as the Ward 8 American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) President, where he worked to improve the quality of life for Ward 8 seniors.

Mr. Pannell has been recognized with hundreds of awards over the last four decades including: the U.S. President’s Call to Service Award, D.C. Federation of Civic Associations’ award for the Outstanding President of a Member Association, and the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum’s Community Service Award.

2. Jimmie Jenkins

Jimmie Jenkins is a native Washingtonian with an intense passion for impacting and uplifting individuals of urban communities to help them reach their full potential,

Jimmie serves as the CEO of Manpower DC, founded in 2013 and exists to empower next-generation leaders and their families in the District with an emphasis on disadvantaged neighborhoods. Jimmie envisions bridging the gap that leads to vital resources nurturing productive leaders for society. Manpower DC is structured with the main component of workforce development supported by a family of companies that demonstrate eight adopted values - brother’s keeper, leadership, trust, faith, courage, curiosity, hope, and intelligence.

3. Breanna Wright

Breanna Wright is an Oakland/Bay Area native holding a BS in Business Administration from the University of California, Riverside and her MS in Development Management from American University. Breanna focuses on recruiting talent for organizations that advance social change and works to ensure organizations are incorporating and implementing best DEI practices. Breanna started her career as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia and for the past nine years, Breanna Wright has supported DC based international and domestic development organizations to ensure they recruit and retain historically marginalized people.

Breanna serves on the board for iFly, a nonprofit that helps to sends middle school girls of color from DC on their first trip overseas.

4. Jazmyne Owens

Jazmyne Owens is a policy advisor on the PreK–12 team at New America, a research and policy think tank. Her role as policy advisor focuses on federal policy, looking for ways for the PK-12 teams to strengthen and improve educational systems for all students, particularly those students in historically disadvantaged and underserved communities from the federal level.

Jazmyne holds a master’s degree in sociology and education with a policy concentration from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in English with a secondary education concentration from Spelman College.

5. Taylor German

As a 5th generation Washingtonian, Taylor German focuses on coalition building, Black academia and deep-rooted faith; as Founder of Capital City Justice Group, a District-based consultancy utilizing diversity, equity and inclusion models to achieve justice Taylor has what it takes.

Taylor designed a service model that reflects one of her deepest personal values – everyone is a human being, with a breadth of emotions, experiences, and beliefs, making them no more and no less human than the next person. Clients trust Taylor and her team to build bridges. She equips her team with the skills needed to challenge white supremacy culture, anti-Blackness, and other forms of deeply engrained oppression and support their clients to design meaningful and sustainable change.

Taylor obtained her B.S. in Physics from St. John’s University in New York and her Master of Public Health in Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

6. Ty Hobson-Powell

Ty Hobson-Powell is a native Washingtonian and lifelong community advocate. After graduating from high school at the age of 13, Ty went on to become the youngest student to ever matriculate at Howard University. After gaining his bachelor’s degree at age 15 from the University of Baltimore and his master’s degree at 17 from Liberty University, Ty began his career in public service with DC’s Department of Employment Services.

In 2016, Ty worked for Hillary for America in the 2016 presidential election as a field organizer in Erie, Pennsylvania. Currently, Ty serves as Co-Founder and Director of Policy for Concerned Citizens DC, Civic Engagement Coordinator for the University of the District of Columbia and is a lead organizer with the 51For51 D.C. statehood campaign.

7. Daniel Griffin

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Daniel Griffin began his sports career in college as the Head Manager for the Elon Phoenix Men's Basketball team. After transitioning to Washington, DC, Daniel received his master’s in Sport Industry Management from Georgetown University and previously worked with the Washington Capitals.

Daniel's passion for youth sports development and engagement led him to Leveling The Playing Field, a nonprofit organization that serves under-resourced communities and organizations through the distribution of new and gently used sports equipment. Daniel serves as the Program Director for Leveling The Playing Field and is helping impact over 300 local organizations a year, ensuring they have free equipment to help keep kids off the sidelines!

8. Temi F. Bennett

Chicago native Temi F. Bennett is the Director of Policy at IF (formerly Consumer Health Foundation). She is responsible for engaging local governments in the D.C. metropolitan region in approaches to developing and implementing racially equitable and just policies and systems change that enable BIPOC communities to thrive.

Temi co-chairs Resourcing Radical Justice (RRJ), a funders collective that centers Black liberation as the path to a thriving greater Washington region. Temi received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Georgetown Journal of Law & Modern Critical Race Perspectives. She graduated magna cum laude from Virginia State University with a B.A. in English.

Community Grant Spotlight

The Fishing School, based in Ward 7, the mission is to prepare elementary and middle school students for success in high school and life by improving their academic performance and life skills and by engaging them and their parents in intensive multi-year, research-based out-of-school time (OST) and parent engagement activities. As an Events DC Community Grant awardee (FY2022, Cycle 1), they were awarded for their Afterschool and Summer Success Program Clubs –Fitness Club, Sports Club, Do It Yourself Club, and Tech Club. Each of these clubs aims to benefit youth, both mentally and physically; and engage them in physical group activities to build their creativity and confidence.

To learn more about The Fishing School, click here to visit their website here.

Celebration of Life: Ward 8 Civic Leader Mary Cuthbert

On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, the life of Mary J. Cuthbert, a decades-long community leader in the Congress Heights community of SE Washington, DC’s Ward 8, was celebrated at Bethlehem Baptist Church. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and Ward 8 Council member Trayon White spoke at the funeral service along with Ms. Cuthbert’s friends, family, and community members who shared memories of the great Mary Cuthbert.

Events DC had the pleasure of working closely with Ms. Cuthbert during the development of the new Entertainment and Sports Arena on the St. Elizabeths East Campus which opened in September 2018. As the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8C Chairperson, Mary was party to the Entertainment & Sports Arena (ESA) Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) and served on the 10-member Community Benefits Coalition. She resolutely advocated for maximizing benefits of the Arena development for her beloved Ward 8 community. Under her watchful eye, the ESA CBA includes provisions supporting educational opportunities for Ward 8 youth, ESA-related business opportunities for Ward 8 businesses and Ward 8 community enrichment activities. Thanks to the dedicated work of Mary Cuthbert and the Coalition members, Events DC will provide financial support for these initiatives until 2037.

In addition to her work with ESA, Mary Cuthbert’s high-spirited personality was overshadowed by her compassion, vision, and aspirations for her Ward 8 neighbors – especially those in Congress Heights. Events DC is grateful for her steadfast commitment and service. Ms. Cuthbert is indeed a community icon whose leadership will continue to be celebrated in the years to come. She will truly be missed.

Things To Do This Weekend

Cherry Blossom at Peak Bloom

Enjoy Washington D.C’s key spring treasure as they reach their predicted peak bloom between March 22nd -25th. Head down to tidal basin to take great pictures, grab a bite to eat and enjoy the beginning of Spring!

Blossom Kite Festival

Experience fun kite flying at the Washington Monument grounds and other featured parks. This long-term tradition allows people of all ages to fly their kites among the cherry blossom trees. The event offers in person and virtual participation for everyone to enjoy.

Kick Axe Throwing

This Women’s History Month, check out Women-Owned Business, Kick Axe Throwing DC, which offers a fun ax throwing experience. People get to enjoy a comfortable ax throwing environment with food, drink, and lounging areas. The establishment is equipped with ax-throwing professionals for customers to learn the key skills and techniques and ensure safety. This is a great place to enjoy time with friends, family or coworkers!

The FRIENDS Experience: The One in Washington D.C.

The famous FRIENDS Experience is coming to D.C. this week! Relive the 90s with fun rooms like Joey and Chandler’s apartment, Monica and Rachel’s kitchen, Central Perk and the FRIENDS fountain.

Virtual Cherry Blossoms: PIXELBLOOM @ Artechouse

Artechouse DC celebrates its 5th annual spring-inspired exhibition. This year's exhibition pushes the boundaries of immersive digital art, inviting visitors to traverse through a virtual world of cherry blossoms brought to life. The exhibit is opens from March 12 to May 30th.