What's Happening This Week in
Downtown Jamaica
QueensUnderground718.com's International Black History Film Fest!

The Jamaica Center BID is proud to sponso r QueensUnderground718.com's International Black History Month Film Fest on Saturday, February 22! Guest tickets include a Red Carpet Film Fest with movies, poetry, music, live entertainment, community awards, vendors, food, cocktails/mocktails and raffle with prizes. Stop by and say hello to our very own Fred Green (Operations Manager) who will be there with BID materials.

Meet Our Team: Jahnavi Aluri

This week we're featuring Jahnavi Aluri, our Program Manager. Jahnavi has degrees in Architecture, a Masters in City Planning and is currently pursuing a Masters in Project Management.

Jahnavi has been with the BID since July of 2018. She oversaw our commercial district needs assessment and is now in charge of developing and implementing programs to address the findings from that assessment. She is also responsible for all things graphics and data-related at the BID. Jahnavi is passionate about placemaking, well-designed communities, and loves public art. She volunteers at a local animal shelter and enjoys eating her way across the city - she will never turn down a good taco. In addition to her many titles, Jahnavi is also our designated "Manager of Fun" in the office.

You can reach Jahnavi here !
We're Thinking About Summer!

Yes, it is bitter cold and windy out, but we're already thinking summer...and in particular about our Family Fun on the Ave event, when we close down Jamaica Avenue for music, games and more ( see last year's pics here ) . We just received notice from NYC DOT that we will receive funds to present another round of Weekend Walks this year, so mark your calendars for our next Family Fun on the Ave! Dates will be June 27 , August 22 and October 31 . Community organizations, if you want to be involved send us a note here.
Welcome Platain Werkes!

An official "welcome!" to Plantain Werkes ( 147-21 Jamaica Avenue ) which just joined the Downtown Jamaica community this week!

Platain Werkes is a Dominican restaurant that focuses on traditional Dominican foods and serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner. They're open Monday - Sunday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Stop by, say hi, and support this new business.
Winter Event Guides Are Here

You can access our new winter event guide on our website under the "Seasonal Events Guide" section , download it below, or you can pick one up throughout Jamaica Avenue over the next couple of months to find out what's happening. Copies are currently available at local retailers , King Manor Museum , Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning and the Jamaica Market .
Immigration Stories: Mari Meade Dance Collective

Mari Meade creates intricate, fully-formed worlds with epic, abstract narratives. Her company is driven by choreographic inspiration but is shaped by interactions with, and contributions from, other art forms. She created immigration stories based on recorded interviews conducted with immigrants, including the Southeast Queens community; she then integrated their voices with original music, designing choreography and a mix of dynamic performance elements to create a searing and memorable work for our times. See her work at the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) on February 8.

The AirTrain Jazz Festival with Reggie Woods

The AirTrain Jazz Festival series continues next week with Reggie Woods on the AirTrain Jamaica stage. 

Thursday Night Jazz at JCAL with Luis Perdomo

JCAL's second Thursday Night Jazz of 2020 happens next week when Luis Perdomo performs.

Classical Crossover at Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL)

JCAL celebrates African Americans in Classical Music with a special tribute to the late Operatic Superstar, Jessye Norman
Featuring piano virtuosos the Altino Brothers, with special guests - the
soprano twins, Cherisse & Cherissia Williams and violinist, Jessica McJunkins

District Deals
Jamaica Center BID Value Card

Sign up for our Value Card and we'll send you a digital version of the card to use in participating stores on Jamaica Avenue.

Below are the stores that are accepting the Value Card with 10% discounts! Check them out when you're out and about.



Jamaica Center BID businesses: Have a district deal you want to share with over 3,000 people? Send it to us, and we'll post it in our newsletter! Email us below!
Raymour & Flanigan

  • Save up to 30% on Living Rooms
 
H&M

  • Does your kid love to wear the same thing over and over? H&M's styles make mornings a breeze. Stock up on their favorites —Plus, get points on every purchase when you join H&M's Loyalty Program. Shop now in-store!
 
Downtown Jamaica Business Resources
FINAL CALL: Jamaica Center BID Banner Program

We are doing a final call for businesses that want to participate in our Banner Program! You can promote your brand throughout Downtown Jamaica through a sponsorship banner! Thank you to our sponsors that have already signed up: All Nations , Boost Mobile , Golden Krust and King Manor Museum !

Contact the BID to learn more.
Women’s Power Networking Breakfast: Personal Finance for Entrepreneurs

In partnership with Kara Stevens from The Frugal Feminista, this event will teach participants the ins and outs of advertising for your business with an opportunity to network and eat some great free food.

This will be an interactive workshop centered on:

  • Money Mindset

  • Cash flow and budgeting in personal finances

  • Debt management and borrowing

  • Planning for retirement

Participants will learn about how these areas of their personal finances impact their ability to start, expand, or scale their businesses through worksheets, table talk, and crowdsourced feedback.
MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey is invested in developing Minority and Women-owned and small business enterprises. Our partners, LaGuardia Gateway Partners, and Delta Air Lines, are seeking certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) contractors, vendors and consultants for the construction associated with the LaGuardia Airport Redevelopment (LGAR) project and operations and maintenance of the terminals. Sign up below for the February 13 MWBE Workshop.

Office Anchor Strategy - Queens RFP

NYCEDC, in partnership with the City of New York, acting by and through its Department of Citywide Administrative Services, is pleased to release this RFP for a long-term lease of approximately 55,000 carpetable square feet of office space (approximately 73,000 rent-able square feet) to be occupied by a designated City agency. The RFP will preference proposals offering office space in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens.
Restaurant Loan Program

Jamaica Center BID's recent Commercial District Needs Assessment identified that local residents and workers want more restaurants in the neighborhood. Now is an opportune time to open a restaurant: Greater Jamaica Development Corporation is looking to help restaurant entrepreneurs open restaurants in Downtown Jamaica with a loan program offering up to $150,000! Learn more and apply below.
Downtown Jamaica Leasing Opportunities
Community Assistance & Resources
Scholarship Opportunity From the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

The Pi Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. is pleased to present a scholarship opportunity for high school seniors of pan-African heritage.

Applicants must: reside in Queens County; be of pan-African, pan-Caribbean, or African-American descent; be a graduating high school senior; have attained a cumulative GPA of 85 or better.

All scholarship applications and materials must be received by Friday, February 14, 2020
Tuition Free Quality Academic & Career Training Programs

The State University of New York’s Queens Educational Opportunity Center offers tuition free quality academic and career training programs. Among the classes they offer are: preparation classes for the TASC exam; English as a second language (3 levels), certified professional coder/biller; home health aide, Microsoft Excel or Word certification, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and Pathways-to-College.

Apply Monday through Thursday between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, or Wednesday evening between 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm.
Queens Bus Network Redesign Public Workshop

For the last few months, the MTA has been diligently working to completely redraw the Queens Bus Network to create a faster, more reliable system of interconnected routes. To do this, they wiped the map clean and started from scratch, which means there are a lot of changes proposed in this proposed Draft Plan. Read it carefully, and make sure to review the new routes, see what your commute would be like in the new network.
About Business and Event Promotions in this Newsletter : Businesses and organizations located in the Jamaica Avenue Commercial District between Sutphin Blvd and 169th Street are invited to submit promotional information for possible inclusion in our newsletter. Events happening near or immediately adjacent to the Jamaica Avenue Commercial District may also be considered for inclusion on a case-by-case basis. We reserve the right to reject or edit materials for length, style, timeliness, and appropriateness. This newsletter serves to inform our community about events, opportunities and commercial activity in Downtown Jamaica, within specifically the Jamaica Center BID boundaries.