Bridging a River to Support Small Business Growth

Whether seeking specialized business expertise for growing a business, ways to make an impact in the community, or leadership opportunities, often the partnerships you need are just a few miles away. In August, small business owners, local leaders, and Booz Allen volunteers gathered in Washington, DC, to bring such connections to life.

The event launched a new skills-based volunteering initiative. Employees from Booz Allen’s Aerospace account would be working with local small businesses in Anacostia on strategy and sustainability—part of an overall effort to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within its team, Booz Allen, and in the community.

Inspiration for the DEI Build Bridges program began with a book co-authored by Reggie Van Lee: Megacommunities: How Leaders of Government, Business, and Non-Profits Can Tackle Today’s Global Challenges Together. Van Lee, a former Booz Allen executive vice president, led the Urban Enterprise Initiative 20 years ago with the Clinton Foundation. He spoke at the kickoff event about the impact pro bono small business consulting had on both business owners and the Harlem community. “When Clinton located his offices in Harlem, investment followed from downtown businesses that threatened to displace many long-term Harlem neighborhood businesses. Booz Allen Hamilton provided teams of consultants whose expertise benefited the sustainability and competitiveness of affected businesses. We are confident this initiative will have a similar long-term impact in Anacostia,” said Van Lee.

Executive Vice President Andrea Inserra connected Van Lee’s vision with the Booz Allen Aerospace account team’s goal to find ways to make an impact in the community and on diversity issues. One idea, small business consulting, took root. “Booz Allen will provide skills-based consulting services to 10 Anacostia businesses that will greatly improve the operations and core offerings of each of these businesses. This program will also provide our talent the opportunity to give back to our community in ways aligned with their passion, interest, and professional and personal development goals,” Inserra said.   

Vice President Ricky Reid shared with event attendees how the program came to life—forging partnerships with local organizations such as 11st Street Bridge Park and the Anacostia Business Improvement District and rallying a planning team with Senior Associate Maurice Smith, Lead Associate Kimberly Smith, Senior Consultant Deborah Isla, and Senior Cyber Security Consultant Rissa McGill.

Businesses participating in the DEI Build Bridges program provide a wide range of services to the Anacostia community: food (DCity Smokehouse, Fresh Food Market Kitchen Savages, Open Crumb), health and beauty (Kitchen Pharmacy, LifeCare, New Creations), transportation (Anacostia Rental, Murphy’s Autobody), and education/childcare (Baby Einstein).

“We want to make sure Anacostia maintains its flavor and culture by sustaining local businesses,” Anacostia Business Improvement District Executive Director Kristina Noell said.

Booz Allen employees will help Anacostia and program participants achieve this goal through intensive skills-based volunteering. Employee volunteers will be consulting with businesses on marketing, grant writing, human resources, financial analysis, and general management. Volunteers and businesses then work together to create a business plan for the year ahead. 

“The Anacostia River has often been a barrier between different communities in Washington, DC. Our project seeks to close that divide,” Reid said.