DC Chamber of Commerce Announces the 2022 Chamber's Choice Award Recipients to be Honored at “Transformation. Innovation.” Gala
Chamber’s Choice Awards & Gala
Friday, November 11, 2022
at the Washington Hilton Hotel
WASHINGTON, DC (Oct. 20, 2022) – The DC Chamber of Commerce today announced its 2022 Chamber’s Choice Award recipients. The Chamber will honor the awardees during its annual 2022 Chamber’s Choice Awards & Gala, “Transformation. Innovation.,” on Friday, November 11, at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
“The Chamber is excited to celebrate local trailblazers with the Chamber’s Choice Awards at our annual Gala,” said Angela Franco, President and CEO, DC Chamber of Commerce. “We will celebrate individuals and companies who have found innovative solutions to issues and are making an impact to create a more cohesive community in the District.”
The Chamber’s Choice Awards are presented annually to individuals and businesses that have demonstrated extraordinary standards of professional excellence, vision, and dedication in the District of Columbia business community. The categories and 2022 awardees are:
Business of the Year, Hoffman-Madison Waterfront and The Wharf
Hoffman-Madison Waterfront’s development of The Wharf is a model for public-private partnership and is the largest planned unit development in the history of Washington, DC. With a combination of economic vitality and exceptional planning, The Wharf offers the entire region a destination of note.
Business Leaders of the Year, Anthony Shop and Thomas Sanchez, Social Driver
Anthony Shop and Thomas Sanchez lead Social Driver, a digital agency trusted by the world’s leading corporations and nonprofit organizations for strategic solutions for social media, websites, and digital marketing. The agency has received wide acclaim for its collaborative culture and cutting-edge client partnerships, including recently being ranked as one of the Top B2B Companies in the United States by Clutch, recognized on the Best and Brightest Companies list as a top national employer, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s Supplier of the Year award, Minority Business 100 awards, and a Best and Brightest Company award.
Economic Impact Award, Wanda Durant
Dr. Wanda Durant, affectionately known as “Mama Durant,” is a dynamic leader, advocate, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. As a DMV native from Prince George’s County, Maryland, she raised her two sons: Anthony “Tony” Durant and Kevin Durant. Through motherhood, Dr. Durant realized the importance of community and has made it her life’s mission to inspire the youth and provide them with the right tools to follow their dreams. Her commitment to mentoring and scholarships to support underserved young people is building a brighter economic workforce for the future of Washington, DC.
Community Impact Award, WPFW 89.3 FM Radio
WPFW has been a force for 45 years and is the most diverse radio station in the DMV. Unlike other media outlets, it serves the whole of the community by focusing on its parts—through both public affairs and music programs. Caribbean, African, Latinx, Arab, Native and LGBTQ voices are regularly heard discussing the issues and presenting the culture of their constituents. The outreach even extends to such often-neglected populations as citizens returning from incarceration and those living east of the river in D.C. The station is dedicated to the well-being and growth of our community and is invested in promoting our city and the good work of our citizens.
Veteran Impact Award, JMA Solutions
Headquartered in Washington, DC, JMA Solutions is an award-winning Service-Disabled Veteran and Certified Woman-Owned consulting firm. JMA gives back to veterans beyond the line of duty, by incorporating recruitment strategies to increase veteran employment and the presence of military professionals within the industry. Over 40 percent of JMA’s management team comprises veterans from the Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. And nearly 20 percent of its workforce are veterans. JMA continuously demonstrates its commitment to supporting our nation’s heroes in active duty and retirement.
During the pandemic, Corey Arnez Griffin, president and CEO of Global Government and Industry Partners, LLC answered the call to engage and to provide leadership to bring much-needed relief and support to help DC businesses survive the impact of the pandemic.
“On behalf of the Chamber, I would like to congratulate our awardees for their leadership in bringing transformation and innovation to their work and commitment to the greater community,” said Franco. “I’d also like to thank our Gala co-chairs, Blue Jenkins, President, Washington Gas Light and EVP/President Utilities at AltaGas Ltd. and Tony Lewis, Region Vice President of State Government Affairs, Verizon.”
The Gala event sponsor is Verizon, the grand reception sponsor is Washington Gas, and the award sponsor is District of Columbia Department of Employment Services. For more information about the 2022 Chamber’s Choice Awards & Gala, please visit: https://dcchamber.org/events/2022-gala/.
About the DC Chamber of Commerce
The DC Chamber of Commerce is the largest Chamber in the Washington DC region. As an advocate for the DC business community for 83 years, the DC Chamber of Commerce is the voice for businesses in the District of Columbia, proudly serving a diverse membership of more than 1,100 members. For more information, visit https://www.dcchamber.org.
