Action Items

• See where our DC high school scholars explored this January during AEF's two-day field trip, Backyard Bound.
  
  
• Thank you to our community partner, Limani, for their support of future culinary leaders. 
  
  
• Meet the AEF Student Advisory Board.

This January, over 65 students from the Academies of Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary Arts and Mass Media participated in a two-day field trip across Washington, DC. Young professionals explored the consumer side and behind the scenes of the hospitality industry.

"This is my second Backyard Bound experience and I loved it. This year, I served as the direct content curator for the experience due to my skills and abilities from the Mass Media Academies. AEF allows me to showcase my talent and learn at the same time. I even had a chance to go down to the press area for a Wizards game!" - Kayden Johnson, Coolidge High School, '24

AEF is thankful for the support of our partners who made this work-based learning experience possible:

• The Anthem
• The CALPRO Group, Inc.
• Capital Hilton
• Carmine's NYC Family Style Italian
• Clyde's Restaurant Group
• The Grill and KNEAD Hospitality + Design
• Hyatt Place Washington DC/White House
• International Spy Museum
• Monumental Sports & Entertainment and the Washington Wizards

• Pendry Hotels & Resorts Washington DC - The Wharf
• Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery
• Southwest Business Improvement District (SWBID)
• Tiki TNT
• Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA)
• USA Guided Tours

Last month, AEF and over 100 friends celebrated the opening of The Wharf’s newest restaurant, Limani, with a fundraising dinner.

The event raised over $20,000 for AEF’s programs for young people.

Limani also treated three of DC’s rising culinary stars from Ballou High School and Roosevelt High School, Jayla Woods, Valerie Colon and Khabib Khabibov, as well as educators Chef Shanel Howard and Chef James Wiggins to a special dinner to present their donation. 

Thank you to the Limani team and Laura Evans Media for making this event so special.

AEF participated alongside community partners in resume reviews at Jackson-Reed and Roosevelt High Schools and career day exploration at Johnson John Hayden Middle School.

This winter DC high schools need your help! Scholars are preparing for Career Ready Internships this summer and are looking for professionals to assist in refining their resumes and preparing for job placements.

Volunteer to provide resume feedback and impart interview techniques.

The Alumni Board of Directors are made up of students and alumni of the Academies of Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary Arts and Mass Media. These students provide networking, skill building and programs for their peers to expand their knowledge of the hospitality industry.  

Thank you for your leadership,

• Zoe Roberts, George Mason University Class of 2022
• Lauren Brown, Howard University Class of 2022
• Kwame Brown, Full Sail University Class of 2023
• D'mani Harrison-Porter, Morehouse College Class of 2019
• Diamond Hunter, Temple University Class of 2022

• Cayla Lewis, Columbia Heights Educational Campus Class of 2019
• Tadjanique Phillips, Columbia Heights Educational Campus Class of 2019
• JP Roberts, Eastern Connecticut State University Class of 2026
• Anura Sharma, Georgetown University Class of 2026

The annual Member Volleyball Tournament at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center is Feb. 16. Join teams representing hotels, restaurant groups and other industry colleagues as they compete in a friendly annual volleyball tournament to benefit the AEF. Buy a team package, sign up as an individual player or join as a spectator.

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