What's Happening This Week in
Downtown Jamaica
Show Some Love on Jamaica Avenue!

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we have produced these cute “I Love Jamaica Avenue” decals, which we are providing to every business (large or small) on Jamaica Avenue today to display in their storefront window.

A vibrant Jamaica Avenue business community employs our neighbors and keeps our shopping corridor active, safe, and vibrant with a variety of retail, services, eateries, entertainment and foot traffic. When considering where to spend your shopping dollars, remember to show Jamaica Avenue some love. It’s an investment in this community that pays off.
Help Us Rebuild Our Website!

We're inviting the submission of proposals from qualified web designers for the redesign of our website (currently jamaica.nyc ). See the RFP to the right this article.

If you have any questions, reach out to Jahnavi Aluri. We will be answering questions as they are received.

As a reminder, proposals are due by 5:00 PM EST on Friday, February 21, 2020 .
Have You Picked Up Your Guide?

Don't forget 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 .
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.

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

The Transit Series featuring John Smith

Jamaica Center for Arts & Leaning (JCAL) presents The Transit Series , an exhibition of paintings by John Smith. The exhibition will be open from February 1–29 with a artist reception today from 6 - 9 p.m . Jamaica Arts Center Community Gallery's public hours are Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Go Far, Go Together: African American Dance Workshop

In celebration of Black History Month, the Queens Central Library invites you to attend this cultural dance workshop. Dances will be viewed from historical, social and cultural angles, and common themes connecting dance with other disciplines will be explored.

The AirTrain Jazz Festival with Ed Jackson

The AirTrain Jazz Festival series continues next week with Ed Jackson on the AirTrain Jamaica stage. 

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

  • President's Day Sale!
  • 48 hours only! 25% off $200 | 20% off $100 | 10% off $50.
  • Easy on the eyes and on your wallet! Make shopping even easier when you choose pay in 4 installments at checkout (exclusively for H&M Members — joining is free!) 
 
Downtown Jamaica Business Resources
Investors Bank Kicks-Off New Year with Competition for Small Businesses

Investors Bank is committed to helping businesses grow and support those that share their key ideals of creativity, competitiveness and community.

The Investors Bank Movers & Shakers Small Business Competition was created to celebrate businesses that share these ideals. From ten finalists, two grand prize winners will be named and awarded prizes valued at over $100,000 .

  • Who may enter: Businesses with revenues between $2MM and $20MM with 100 employees or fewer, and headquartered or doing a majority of operations in the NY/NJ Metro area.

  • How to enter: Applicants must submit a short statement of up to 1,000 words describing how their business aligns with the Investors Bank key ideals of creativity, competitiveness and community. For complete rules and regulations click here.
Entries must be received by 2/28/2020
NYC Plastic Ban: BEGINS MARCH 1, 2020

Starting March 1, 2020 , single-use plastic bags are banned, with limited exceptions, in New York State. In addition, businesses must collect a five-cent fee on paper carryout bags in New York City. NOTE: This fee will not apply to any customers using SNAP or WIC. If you're a business, learn how to implement this new law below.
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
First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica Blood Drive

Donate blood to save the lives of others. Your donation will help to save up to three lives. Our community hospitals need your help.

Know Your Rights Workshop on Succession Rights
 
Legal Hand Jamaica, and the Center for Court Innovation invite you to the Know-Your-Rights Workshop on Succession Rights. This workshop is designed for community volunteers, service providers, political office staff, and community residents and will address pressing legal issues in the community.  
 
Monthly Nonprofit Networking Mixer

Powered by NYS Senator Leroy Comrie , Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman , Councilmembers I. Daneek Miller , Donovan Richards and Adrienne Adams , Speaker Chastidy Elliot, PhD will host this month's mixer that will focus on Passion and Purpose: Tips for nonprofit leadership and funding.

2020 Black History Month Awards Reception & Networking

Join Big Apple Health News & Events for an evening of celebration and recognition of highly accomplished African-Americans from across New York City whose incredible contributions to the advancement of our healthcare system has impacted so many. Machelle Allen, M.D. and Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer of the NYC Health + Hospitals will be the keynote speaker.

The Celebration of Excellence Award ceremony will include a Reception and Networking hour and will take place at the historic Jamaica Center for the Arts and Learning (JCAL)in Downtown Jamaica, Queens.


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
2020 Summer Internships with Port Authority NY/NJ

The Port Authority offers 12-week paid summer internships to students that provide the opportunity to work with knowledgeable and experienced professionals on assignments critical to operating, maintaining, and expanding the transportation infrastructure for one of the greatest economies in the world. All applications must be submitted by February 28 .
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.