Keeping the District Competitive in the 21st Century

The DC Council recently passed a resolution recognizing the significant contributions of TBED21, Inc., an organization dedicated to keeping the District economically competitive in the 21st century, with a strong focus on underdeveloped and disadvantaged communities.

The text of the Ceremonial Resolution, introduced by At-Large Councilmember Kwame Brown, is as follows:

TBED21 Readiness Recognition Resolution of 2010

To recognize the need to ensure that the District of Columbia is economically competitive in the twenty-first century and to acknowledge the significant contributions of TBED21, Inc., in efforts to integrate policy and federal funding opportunities for the nation’s capital.

WHEREAS, the Council of the District of Columbia recognizes the need to develop a more integrated policy and programmatic agenda towards technology-based economic development that ensures the District of Columbia’s economic competitiveness in the 21st century;

WHEREAS, Technology Based Economic Development for the 21st Century -TBED21, Inc., recognizes the District of Columbia as an economically vibrant 21st century knowledge city with a diverse citizenry representing countries from around the world;

WHEREAS, TBED21, Inc. has proposed ideas to the Government of the District of Columbia, including Office of the Mayor and District agencies: Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development; Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education; Office of the State Superintendent for Education; University of the District of Columbia and its Community College;

WHEREAS, TBED21, Inc. has engaged various federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Labor to assist the development of a 21st century tech-based economic development agenda for the District of Columbia;

WHEREAS, TBED21, Inc. has made tremendous strides in coordinating Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education, STEM workforce development, entrepreneurship, innovation, tech-based commercialization and entrepreneurship in the District of Columbia;

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this resolution may be cited as the “TBED21 Readiness Recognition Resolution of 2010”.

Councilmember Brown enthusiastically supports TBED21 and wants especially to acknowledge some of their members.

Chad Womack, PhD — President and Chair

The founder of TBED21, Dr. Womack provides strategic vision and works with the executive staff to help the organization effectively achieve its long-term goals:  empowering urban centers and under-served communities through science, technology and innovation.

Lawrence Agulnick – Executive Vice President

A former consultant with non-profit and internationally-focused organizations, Mr. Agulnick is well-versed on issues relating to government and investor relations, as well as rapid change management and risk/liability mitigation.  Recently, Mr. Agulnick spent time as the Chief Operating Officer of a major biotech firm, directing all operations in the US, Korea and Japan.

Llewellyn Berry

A native Washingtonian and lifelong , Mr. Berry has given much back to the city:  he came out of retirement in 2004 to take a position at McKinley Technology High School , before moving on to teach 8th grade English at Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science.

Kenneth Tolson

The Principal and Innovation Transformation Officer for the TBED21 Urban Policy Group, a non-profit in the National Capital and Mid-Atlantic Region.  Ken is a native Washingtonian and recent Obama Presidential appointee who has focused on closing digital divide issues, creating and managing technology transfer and growing urban domestic markets in the District of Columbia for the past 15 years.  Ken has managed technology and innovation projects around the globe.  He has spent multiple years in Asia, Middle East and Europe working with fortune 100 companies and governments managing large scale technology programs.

These are just three members of the very accomplished TBED21 team, all of whom deserve recognition for their enduring efforts to empower the urban communities of Washington, D.C.

Here are some pictures of Kwame presenting the TBED21 team with the resolution recognizing their work: