The purpose of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity is to rebuild and revitalize overlooked and underserved communities across the District of Columbia, particularly those in Wards 5, 6, 7 and 8.
Our work is focused in three main areas: 1) Connecting residents with employment opportunities and building a comprehensive workforce, 2) Growing small businesses and resident entrepreneurs and 3) Community and economic development.
A Fair Shot: A Toolkit for African American Prosperity
This toolkit includes information on DC government funded programs that can help individuals, families, and business owners find their pathway to economic prosperity in Washington, DC.
Employment Services
The American Job Center offers job-seekers, students, businesses and career professionals access to a comprehensive array of employment-related services and tools in one convenient location.
Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction, teaching workers the practical and theoretical aspects of highly skilled occupations. Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by employers, labor groups and employer associations.
DC Career Connections is a work readiness program designed to provide more than 400 out-of-school and unemployed youth with subsidized employment opportunities.
Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program
The Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) provides District youth ages 14 to 24 with enriching and constructive summer work experiences through subsidized placements in the private and government sectors
A transitional employment program that provides job readiness training to District residents with barriers to employment.
The Workforce on Wheels (WOW) team is a cutting-edge mobile service operation developed to address the needs of District's youth and residents in the communities where they live.
Grow Your Small Business and Get Certified
The DC Business Center provides information on how to get a business license and how to start a business in DC
Certified Business Enterprise Program
The Certified Business Enterprise (“CBE”) Program provides preference to District-based firms pursuing District Government issued procurement opportunities, and expands the availability of business opportunities with District-sponsored development projects.
Center for Entrepreneurial Education and Development
The Center for Entrepreneurial Education & Development (CEED) provides information and services to entrepreneurs and companies looking to launch and strengthen and grow their business in the District.
Find Contracting Opportunities
Search the full list of open contracting opportunities in DC government
Join the Project 500 Business Development Cohort
Project 500 is a business development program to help diverse businesses scale in terms of revenue, staff and investment retained focused on entrepreneurs from wards 7 and 8.