Press Release: Councilmember Robert White Advances Bill to Protect the Headquarters of a Key Local Organization

News Release — At-large DC Council member Robert White

November 6, 2019

Contact: Rita D. Lewis, Communications Director

Washington, DC – Today, the Committee on Business & Economic Development held a hearing on At-Large Councilmember Robert White’s bill to help a local business, Check-It Enterprises, purchase the building where it operates its business. Check-It Enterprises is a small, District business founded by a group of young people and former Check-It LGBTQ gang members. They now run a clothing brand that portrays DC’s culture. White said, “Check-It went from being a gang engaged in violent and destructive behavior to a business using their headquarters as a home base for community activities. Now their building is on the market for sale, and we run the risk of losing, both a critical organization and meeting space.”

White said he is tired of seeing residents’ businesses displaced after years of work when their buildings are sold. He also stated, “Dozens of local organizations meet at Check-It Enterprises. This building has become a community space. I’ve attended countless emergency community meetings and events there. It would be a shame if we let this space get snatched. The city could spend millions of dollars and never be able to replicate the community support and violence interruption done there.”

In his opening statement, White said that the Council routinely approves funding to attract new business and residents, but is slow to invest in our current businesses and people. Additionally, he said, “We have to value what we have. I want us to balance our investments in expanding our tax base with backing the people and businesses that are already here.”

Check-It Enterprises fosters entrepreneurship and is a safe space for LGBTQ youth. Along with selling fashion apparel, Check-It Enterprises uses its headquarters to teach youth about the fashion industry with silk screening and sewing classes. The company also provides incubation space for new businesses and essential services to the surrounding community, including sex education classes, a vegetable garden, community meeting space, and a resource center for youth, linking them to counseling and other mental health and emotional support services. Their work and members have been featured in the National Portrait Gallery and were the subject of a 2016 documentary.

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