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Charlene Drew Jarvis was born and raised in Washington, DC, and graduated from
Roosevelt High School. She received her BA from Oberlin College, her Masters degree from
Howard University, a PhD in Neuropsychology from the University of Maryland, and a
Doctorate of Humane Letters from Amherst College. She is the mother of two grown
sons, Ernest and Peter. Jarvis had a successful career as an educator and scientist before
entering public life.
Charlene Drew Jarvis was first elected to the Council of the District of Columbia in
1979. She is Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development, and serves on the
Committee on Government Operations and the Committee on Finance and Revenue. She served in
1998 as Chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
Charlene Drew Jarvis has spearheaded efforts to increase the District's revenue base.
She introduced legislation which paved the way for the new downtown MCI Center sports
arena and the new $650 million expanded Washington Convention Center, now under
construction. Both projects create jobs, produce business growth and increase tax
revenues. She has introduced legislation to promote downtown revitalization through
Business Improvement Districts and to reinvigorate the Industrial Revenue Bond Program.
She has also sponsored legislation creating a public-private bank to finance small
businesses; required national banks to invest in neglected communities; supported
women-owned businesses; and created a city-wide development corporation.
In July, 1996, Charlene Drew Jarvis was appointed President of Southeastern University
in southwest Washington. Southeastern offers Bachelor and Master's degree programs in
Accounting, Banking, Business Management, Computer Science, Economics, Government
Management and Marketing. Jarvis' goal is to educate our city and our nation's workers and
leaders.
Charlene Drew Jarvis' legacy as the daughter of Dr. Charles R. Drew, the blood bank
pioneer, has given her a special perspective on health care issues. Having received more
than a hundred awards for her accomplishments and her leadership, Charlene Drew Jarvis
recently received the Ronald H. Brown Lifetime Achievement Award from the District of
Columbia Chamber of Commerce as well as a lifetime achievement award from the District of
Columbia Building Industry Association. She is a nationally recognized speaker on
legislative, health science, women's and economic issues, and serves on the Board's of
numerous organizations. She is listed in Who's Who Among Top Executives, the International
Who's Who of Professionals, Who's Who of American Women and the Handbook of State
Legislative Leaders. Jarvis was selected again by the Washingtonian Magazine as one of
Washington's 100 Most Powerful Women and Leader of the Year by the Washington DC
Humanities Council. She also currently serves as a member of the privately financed DC
Agenda Project and Board member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities.
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COUNCILMEMBER CHARLENE DREW JARVIS: KEYS TO HER SUCCESS (1996-2000)
Jarvis' record during the past four years on:
Leadership
- Chaired the Council of the District of Columbia during the illness and following the
death of Chairman David A. Clarke;
- Under her guidance the District achieved its first balanced budget since the creation of
the Control Board, the first of four balanced budgets necessary for a return of self
government;
- Shepherded the MCI Arena project through the Council, a project which has resulted in a
renaissance in downtown Washington;
- Gained approval for the construction of the new Convention Center, a project which will
continue downtown Washington's revitalization;
- Negotiated on the District's behalf with the Federal government on President's Clinton's
federal assistance package; that initiative resulted in freedom from pension debt and for
the costs of numerous state functions (i.e. corrections department, court system);
- Created the National Capital Revitalization Corporation (NCRC), a quasi-private
corporation, to stimulate and direct the economic revitalization and development
activities in the District;
- Provided incentives for grocery stores that locate in underserved areas;
- Required that District agencies procure goods and services from local, disadvantaged,
minority businesses;
- Attended the 1999 convention of the International Council of Shopping Centers that
resulted in the approval of two K-marts stores in the District.
Ward 4 Economic Development
- Created the Ward 4 Revitalization Taskforce to develop and present recommendations to
the Executive for the stabilization of neighborhoods and the revitalization of commercial
corridors in Ward 4;
- Recommended the creation of a Georgia Avenue initiative which has been established by
the Mayor to stimulate and revitalize the Georgia Avenue corridor;
- Lobbied for the expansion of federal business incentive programs to include Ward 4 and
other areas of the District that did not meet the poverty-level requirements;
- Approved industrial revenue bond financing for Ward 4 organizations such as the
Washington Tennis Foundation, the Lowell School, and the Washington Hospital Center;
- Assisted with the creation of the Gateway Coalition and the Georgia Avenue/Gateway
Community Development Corporation, organizations comprised of residents and businesses in
Ward 4, Silver Spring, and Takoma Park;
- Supported the creation and location on Georgia Avenue of the Small Business Technical
Center by the Federal Reserve Board of Richmond and the DC Chamber of Commerce (ribbon
cutting ceremony was held in April 2000);
- Funded the creation of the Ward 4 Civil War History Tour and the Georgia Avenue Historic
Trail Markers program;
- Enacted legislation to encourage grocery stores to relocate in the District;
- Required the District government and companies doing business with the District to hire
District residents and purchase from District companies;
- Supported economic and community development projects by the faith-based community;
- Required District banks to increase financing for loans and mortgages for District
residents and businesses.
Neighborhood Stabilization
- Negotiated through the US Department of State to get the nation of Liberia to renovate
its embassy at 16th & Colorado Avenue, NW, which had been destroyed by a fire almost
10 years ago (Renovations are currently underway);
- Recommended the placement of traffic lights and signs at numerous intersections to
protect pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists;
- Reported a "bordello" located in Shepherd Park that was advertising on the
Internet ("business was immediately shut down by 4th District Vice Squad);
- Assisted residents whose neighborhoods have been impacted by infill developments in the
Colonial Village and Crestwood communities;
- Increased penalties for operation of unlicensed rooming houses;
- Opposed the construction of townhouses in an alley surrounded by 14th, 15th, Varnum, and
Webster Streets to the Board of Zoning Adjustment which dismissed the case;
- Approved $5 million for the mitigation of environmental impacts caused by the Northern
Bus Barn, WMATA at 14th and Decatur Streets;
- Contributed funds for the 1999 block party sponsored by Advisory Neighborhood Commission
4C and numerous community organizations and churches;
- Funded the organization and activities of citizen's orange hat patrols;
- Facilitated meetings with citizens and Safeway Corporation that resulted in $750,000 in
renovations to the Safeway store at Georgia Avenue & Randolph Street, NW;
- Assured Department of Public Works attention to streets, alleys, and sidewalks that are
in need of repair, replacement, or cleaning;
- Advocated for the construction of a walkway and lighting for riders using the Fort
Totten Subway station and improved safety measures around the Takoma Subway station where
a number of crimes have occurred;
- Approved a moratorium on new retail Class B liquor licenses in Ward 4;
- Opposed the issuance of a liquor license for Felicity's Public Hall in the Lamond-Riggs
community and the renewal of a liquor license and the expansion of the Palace Nightclub on
Kennedy Street, and the Roof Top Cafe in the Takoma community;
- Authorized the revocation of the liquor licenses of establishments where there have been
repeated acts of violence and illegal activities;
- Negotiated with the National Park Service to improve the 16th Street gateway into the
District;
- Assisted the only remaining new car dealership in the District to remain on Georgia
Avenue and expand its facility;
- Approved tax relief for: the Lowell School, so that the school was able to purchase the
former Gallaudet campus; Bethea-Welch Post 7284, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Brightwood Park
United Methodist Church; Simpson-Hamlin United Methodist Church; St. Paul's Episcopal
Church, Rock Creek Parish Cemetery; and the Petworth Methodist Church;
- Renamed a portion of Rock Creek Church Road to the "Old Rock Creek Church
Road" so that St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Rock Creek Parish Cemetery could obtain a
postal zip code and receive mail on site;
- Funded neighborhood clean-ups and beautification projects;
- Convinced the DC Office of Planning to complete a development plan for the Takoma
community.
Education
- Assisted in the creation of the STAR Foundation scholarship, a program that provides
financial assistance for District students to attend college or post-high school training
programs;
- Lobbied for congressional passage of DC Access, a tuition assistance program for
District students to attend college;
- Approved increased funding for DC Public Schools;
- Sponsors the "Charlene Drew Jarvis Science Awards" program to honor the
outstanding science student in the graduating class of every public, private, and
parochial school in the District at an awards ceremony where students have an opportunity
to win a computer and U.S. savings bonds ( This year will be the 21st awards program.);
- Expanded the petition process for converting public schools to charter schools to
include Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners and residents in the neighborhoods immediately
surrounding the school;
- Helped to develop the Hospitality program at Roosevelt High;
- Paid registration fees so that students at Roosevelt Sr. High School could take the SAT
exam;
- Purchased uniforms for students at Macfarland Middle School;
- Challenged Ward 4 schools to participate in the "Dinosaur Find" program and
gave computers to the science teachers at Clarke and LaSalle Elementary School for their
successful completion (Students at LaSalle discovered a dinosaur fossil which has been
accepted by the Smithsonian Institute for its collection).;
- Helped wire Ward 4 schools for the Internet.
Housing
- Facilitated the permit process for Takoma Village Co-housing Project;
- Funded the renovation of Transitional Arms II Housing complex on Georgia Avenue;
- Increased funding for the Apartment Improvement Project to renovate apartments in Ward
4;
- Strengthened the District's condemnation powers to facilitate the condemnation and
demolition of vacant property that is unfit for human habitation;
- Approved funding for the construction of the Rittenhouse Condominium at Georgia Avenue
and Rittenhouse Street, NW;
- Increased funding for the District's first time homebuyer's assistance program.
- Expanded the home purchase assistance program to encourage people to move into the
District;
- Required District banks to increase financing for home mortgages and repairs;
- Increased funding for the District's down payment assistance program;
- Approved funding for the District's home repair and energy assistance programs.
Public Safety
- Facilitated meetings between residents, business owners, and the 4th Police District to
address crime and safety issues;
- Introduced legislation that increased penalties for the distribution and attempted
distribute of marijuana;
- Participated in the Police Citizens Advisory Council and contributed money for many of
its activities;
- Supported the acquisition of the Petworth School for the operation of a Regional
Operation Center by the 4th and 2nd Police Districts;
- Introduced legislation that renamed the 4th Police District building in honor of Master
Patrol Officer Brian Gibson, the police officer slain across the street from the former
Ibex Club on Georgia Avenue;
- Funded many activities sponsored by residents and participated in several national Night
Out celebration;
- Strengthened regulations for the issuance of temporary automobile tags.
Recreation
- Met with residents and Department of Parks and Recreation to correct unsafe, dirty
condition of the Takoma swimming pool;
- Met with residents and Department of Parks and Recreation, following a sexual assault on
a special education student enrolled in a program at the Takoma Recreation Center;
- Participated in the renovation of the Upshur Street Recreation Center by a private
sector organization of volunteers;
- Secured capital funds for the Emery Park expansion study;
- Secured funding for the repair of the swimming pool at Roosevelt Senior High School;
- Initiated and approved funding for expansion of the Fort Stevens Senior Center and
Recreation facility and the Lamond-Riggs Recreation Center.
Families & Youth
- Crafted legislation to establish Family and Medical Leave, an initiative which resulted
in the District's becoming one of the first local governments to allow District employees
to care for a sick family member or stay home with a new-born or newly adopted child
without losing benefits;
- Monitored the creation of STEP UP, an apprenticeship program, sponsored by the
Washington Convention Center Authority so that young people in the District can receive on
the job training that can lead to permanent union jobs;
- Supported a cable television training program for children;
- Contributed funds to numerous Ward 4 residents who were faced with personal and/or
family emergencies;
- Coordinated Toys for Tots program in Ward 4;
- Funded Christmas and other holiday celebrations, summer activities, child care program,
and extracurricular activities for Ward 4 children and youth.
Senior Citizens
- Secured capital funding for expansion of the Fort Steven's Senior Center;
- Crafted legislation to allow seniors to retain a larger amount of their pension income
by increasing the amount of money they can exclude from District taxes;
- Delivered Thanksgiving dinners to all Senior buildings in Ward 4;
- Supported construction of senior citizen's housing complexes in Ward 4;
- Supports the development of assisted living units for seniors;
- Funded home repair and energy assistance for seniors.
Women
- Approved pay equity for the District;
- Required that health insurance companies that offer prescription drug benefits also
provide coverage for contraceptive drugs, devices, and hormone replacement therapies;
- Approved Family and Medical leave so that District employees can care for a sick family
member or stay home with a new-born or newly adopted child without losing benefits;
- Expanded business opportunities for women-owned and minority business;
- Included college education as a work activity so that mothers who receive public
assistance can attend college.
Environment
- Opposed the placement of cell towers in Rock Creek Park;
- Requested a comprehensive study of the impacts on surrounding neighborhoods from the
operation of the Northern bus garage by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
(WMATA);
- Supported $5 million in the FY 20001 which begins October 1, 2000, to mitigate adverse
impacts from the operation WMATA's Northern bus garage
- Approved stricter regulations for the operation of waste transfer stations.
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- an active retail community with a varied selection of quality merchandise sold at
affordable prices
- loyal customers who shop and dine along Georgia Avenue
- an active executive branch of government allocating resources to Georgia Avenue
- an active legislative branch of government establishing policies and appropriating funds
to the Mayor for programs that benefit Georgia Avenue
- various recreational opportunities in clean, modern and safe facilities
- affordable housing opportunities to live near family, church, jobs, stores and schools
- appreciation of our heritage and preservation of the Ward 4 sites that contribute to our
American experience
- public works improvements to roads, sidewalks, signage, street lighting, landscaping and
public transportation
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- Allocated over $20,000,000 to improve neighborhoods near major thorough fares (e.g.,
Georgia Avenue, 16th Street; New Hampshire Avenue, Missouri Avenue, Michigan Avenue, etc);
- Appropriated $5,100,000 (FY 2001) to acquire and develop sites in Ward 4;
- Appropriated $650,000 to revitalize neighborhood business districts, including Georgia
Avenue;
- Appropriated $10,025,000 for a public art program, including public art at the Petworth
Metro Station;
- Increased number of affordable mortgage loans in Ward 4 through the District's Housing
Finance Agency
- Increased the number of Ward 4 businesses certified as small, local or disadvantaged in
order to be awarded District government procurement contracts for goods and services;
- Secured grant for acquisition of abandoned Georgia Avenue property for renovation by the
Partner Arms II housing program;
- Secured commitment from Office of Planning to produce Small Area Plan for Takoma, to
identify development opportunity sites and neighborhood impact;
- Secured commitment from Department of Public Works to study realignment of Missouri
Avenue at Georgia Avenue; and
- Passed legislation to encourage the creation of Ward 4 business improvement district.
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I want a Ward that is:
- Safe: Funding for Metropolitan Police Department, Fire & Emergency Medical Services;
support for citizen patrols; funding for crime prevention.
- Clean: Funding for regular street, alley, and sidewalk cleaning, maintenance, and
repair; bulk trash services; rodent control; tree planting and maintenance; and vigorous
oversight.
- Healthy: Funding in the capital FY 2001 budget for a senior wellness center in the Ward;
support for the opening of a low-cost health clinic in the Ward; support for Ward 4
hospitals' plans to expand their community outreach and education; expansion of health
insurance.
I want a Ward that has:
- Educated Citizens: Funding for the DC Public Schools and Libraries and the University of
the District of Columbia; identifying and informing citizens of financial assistance for
college education and training.
- Citizens trained for the workforce: Support for public and private computer training
programs and community learning centers to produce citizens with a high information
technology quotient.
- Economic recovery: Support for a new mix of housing and retail; funding for business
retention, expansion, and attraction; funding for home purchase and repair programs;
support for private sector housing development; continuation of the Jarvis Ward 4
Revitalization Taskforce.
- An awareness of history: Placement of historical trail markers at significant historical
sites in Ward 4; identification of additional sites important to the Civil War and local
history of our community; activities that highlight the Native American, African,
European, Caribbean, Asian, Hispanic and gay cultures of our community.
I want a Ward with:
- Hope in our neighborhoods; Opportunity for our children; and Pride in our image.
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