Inside The 2018 Local First Awards
Who in DC is a Maker? Has strong Ripple Effect? Takes the High Road? Has a Green Thumb? Is a Builder? A Pioneer? Who is DC’s Community Champion?
Think Local First DC (TLFDC) named 35 finalists to honor at its second annual Local First Awards late last week, but while the entire evening was a festival of all great things local, only one winner could be chosen in each of the above categories.
Hosted by ABC7 WJLA’s Sam Ford and attended by some 600 Washingtonians — including Mayor Muriel Bowser — the evening was a celebration of positive impact, local independent businesses, entrepreneurs, makers and artists alike.
DC’s local independent businesses strive to advocate, connect and provide opportunity, but those recognized this year in each category were:
Maker: Hunny Bunny (Nya and Zuri Byers)
Ripple Effect: TIE! Cureate Connect (Kim Bryden) & Spice Suite (Angel Andrews)
High Road: Clean Decisions (Will Avila)
Builder: Industrial Banks (MaShon Butler)
Green Thumb: TIE! Calabash (Sunyatta Amen) & Uptop (Kristof Grina, Kathleen O’Keefe, Jeff Prost-Greene
Pioneer: Dreaming Out Loud (Chris Bradshaw)
Community Champion: Glen’s Market (Denielle Vogel)
Following the ceremony, guests were treated to an official “Made In
DC Marketplace” including live entertainment, art installations, and samplings of DC’s best local eats and craft brews.
Photos credit Imagine Photography, ImaginePhotographyDC.com