Twenty-Eight Local Businesses Join Destination DC’s DEI Business Fellowship Program

WASHINGTON, DC - Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC, proudly continues its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by supporting 28 small minority-owned local businesses as part of a complimentary membership program.

"At Destination DC, we believe economic impact and inclusion go hand in hand," said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of DDC. "It's important that Washington, DC's vibrant community of local businesses benefits from business and leisure visitors. The program creates resources and connections to promote growth within the tourism and events industry. Celebrating the entrepreneurs who reflect Washington, DC's diversity helps build a stronger economy and a more authentic experience for visitors."

Started in 2022, the DEI Business Fellowship program supports businesses in the travel and tourism industry - focusing on those owned by people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, veterans, persons with disabilities and their allies. Fellows receive a complimentary, one-year DDC membership offering marketing support, mentorship and networking opportunities. DDC will also collaborate with Miles Partnership on destination optimization using digital tools and platforms. The 2026 DEI Fellows are:

Convention Service Providers

• Abigail de Casanova - hair and makeup services for events and conferences
• All Inclusive Entertainment - entertainment agency for musical artists
• Dare Gift Boxes - personalized gifts for meeting attendees
• District Heroines - candle company spotlighting the people of the DMV region
• Passionary - natural, modern and luxurious wellness products
• Shanklin Hall - social club centered on community and cultural development
• StitchesDC - custom-branded embroidery gifts and activations
• Stop, Pop & Smile Photobooth - digital photobooth for social & corporate events
• Talentology - sustainable event production and community engagement experts
• The Phototique - custom photo and video activations for events

Dining

• Annie's Paramount Steakhouse - Dupont hub for steak, burgers and brunch
• Hush Harbor - phone-free cocktail bar
• Maltiox - modern Guatemalan cuisine inspired by Mayan heritage
• Mixxed - innovative bar and restaurant in Adams Morgan
• Tango Pastry - homemade Argentine bakery
• Tsehay Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar - authentic Ethiopian cafe

See & Do

• Blooms Collective - women-owned flower shop
• Congress Heights Arts & Culture Center - arts center for Wards 7 and 8
• Dionne's Good Food - family-owned comfort food rooted in community
• Maracas Ice Pops - artisanal, Mexican ice pops
• Merry Pin - cozy craft store with cafe and event space
• Rose Ave Bakery - modern Asian American bakery
• Sadiya Clinic - medical aesthetics expert
• Sandlot DC - Downtown - unique cultural arts venue in the heart of DC
• Sip and Paint DC - immersive paint and drink experience
• The Spice Suite - mixed spices that elevate any kitchen
• Untold DC Tours - DC private tours beyond the monuments
• Yours Cafe - conscientious cafe with exquisite coffee and bites

DDC is uniquely positioned to share Washington, DC's history and experiences connected with racial and social equity. The "DEI District" hub on washington.org launched in 2021 and provides curated content focused on how DC can be experienced through a DEI lens with tours, resources and attraction suggestions for leisure, meetings and education audiences.

Visitors can find additional accessibility resources on washington.org, reflecting Washington, DC's ongoing efforts to support diverse access needs.

About Destination DC: Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation's capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities.