American Experience Foundation

Last week, AEF and 45 students and educators from across the District explored New York City ??. From behind the scenes tours to getting to experience the Big Apple like a tourist, scholars learned all about the hospitality, tourism and culinary industries in the city. Thank you to the incredible partners who donated their time, expertise, and experiences with future leaders of our industry. You created lasting memories for our scholars! - New York Marriott Marquis - Big Bus Tours NYC - Arlo Hotels - Arlo Midtown - Whitney Museum of American Art - Chelsea Market - RiseNY

Come work with our friends at Destination DC! Summer college internship positions are now starting to post online at https://lnkd.in/gdVGnHig Have questions or are you a DC Academy student looking to apply? Let us know!

??This year’s 4th of July is going to be lit! ?? Tickets are on sale for the annual AEF July 4th Celebration at the Potomac View Terrace American Pharmacists Association. This party has it all: delicious food, refreshing drinks and lively music, plus amazing views of the fireworks from an exclusive rooftop on the National Mall. Individual tickets and group party packs are on sale now. This event will sell out, so reserve your spot now. All proceeds benefit scholarships and work-based learning for DC high school students. ?Secure your tickets -> https://lnkd.in/eFyVX_CD ?Sponsor the event to showcase your company’s support or ->https://lnkd.in/ep7anTGB ?Donate?a prize to the Raffle & Silent Auction launching this June. ->https://lnkd.in/eNw6Jkmv

Last week, team AEF attended the Black History Month Showcase at Coolidge High School. This was a student-produced show led by Shamiyah McGee, one of our AIP Interns. The performances celebrated resilience, creativity, and black culture as it relates to the history of Black Media ? We also attended the Men in CTE Panel at Ballou High School. This program focused on professional men of color in transportation, media, hospitality and culinary industries. Students from Ballou and Jackson-Reed High attended. A special shout-out to AEF Board Member Rauf Shakir, CEO of USA Guided Tours, who spoke about tourism and transportation.?

Bump, set & spike! ?? Last week’s Destination DC Member Volleyball Tournament at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center was a huge success. Every year, we take over a few courts from the Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic and host an industry tournament. All proceeds support work-based learning, internships and scholarship programs for AEF students. Thank you to the teams that competed and the friends who came to cheer them on. Thank you to our partners, Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic, Events DC, Aramark, The Headliner Group, LINK Strategic Partners and generous Destination DC members who donated prizes for the winning teams. Congratulations to our winners ??: 1st place: Freeman Company 2nd place: The Lore Group 3rd place: Events DC

Thank you to everyone who came out to A Night of Rhythm & Vibes with Step Afrika! On Sunday, Feb 16, Destination DC, AEF, and Events DC?hosted 40 Academy educators and industry professionals for a special reception at Mastro's Steakhouse before attending the Step Afrika! Step Classic?at the Warner Theatre.?It was a small way to show our appreciation to the educators and administrators who work tirelessly every day to support our next generation of hospitality colleagues and leaders. Thank you to our partners who made this possible!

Looking for some extra support this summer AND a way to help a future leader build their skillsets? Consider registering for the Career Ready Internship Program! High school students in career and technical education programs work 25 hours a week for 6 weeks over the summer. And these interns are paid by the city so there is NO COST TO YOU!

Scholarships are open! ?? Did you know AEF has awarded $175,000 since 2015? Students enrolled in or have graduated from one of the Academies of Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary Arts, & Mass Media at the following schools in Washington, DC are eligible to apply for the opportunity to earn $2,500 towards higher education ??. 1. Ballou High School 2. Columbia Heights Educational Campus 3. Coolidge High School 4. Jackson-Reed High School 5. Maya Angelou Public Charter High School 6. Terrace Education Campus 7. Roosevelt High School You can support AEF scholars by donating today - https://lnkd.in/gaD-YNar Join us on May 22 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington DC Convention Center for the Awards Ceremony & Reception??.

Last week, over 40 students from Ballou High School Academies of Auto Technology and Hospitality & Tourism and Jackson-Reed Academy of Mass Media visited the Washington Auto Show for the Career Day Program. They explored hundreds of new vehicles from the world’s top manufacturers while learning about the vast careers in the automotive industries from Sales, Marketing, Design and Automotive Repair. Special thanks to the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA) for the experience and Ben's Chili Bowl for lunch.

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month ??. AEF is excited to celebrate the impact of CTE programs, internships, skills training and work-based learning across DC. We love volunteering at workshops that increase college and career readiness, such as last week’s resume workshops at Theodore Roosevelt High School and earlier this month at Jackson-Reed High School ??. AEF staff, alongside industry partners and volunteers, reviewed high school students’ resumes and gave them tips for success as they prepare for Career Ready Internships this summer. This #CTEMonth reflect on the mentors and leaders who helped you in your career. Consider supporting these scholars this summer and register to host a Career Ready Intern. Interns work 25 hours a week for six weeks and are paid by the city, so there is no cost to you. Sign up by Feb. 14 ?? https://lnkd.in/eJh75we5