CONTACT:
LaToya Foster (EOM) – (202) 727-5011; [email protected]
Joaquin McPeek (DMPED) – (202) 727-6698; [email protected]
Peter Milligan (Blackboard) – (202) 303-9243; [email protected]
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser was joined by Dr. Bill Ballhaus, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Blackboard Inc. and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Brian T. Kenner to celebrate the official grand opening of Blackboard’s new 70,500 square foot global headquarters office in Ward 2 in the District of Columbia.
"As Mayor, I am focused on attracting and retaining jobs in Washington, DC,” said Mayor Bowser. "Keeping a prominent company like Blackboard in the District demonstrates the strength of our market, and sends a strong signal that DC is a good place to do business. I look forward to watching Blackboard continue to thrive right here at home, for years to come.”
District-based Blackboard moved its global headquarters in December 2015 from 650 Massachusetts Avenue NW to 1111 19th Street NW. As the global leader in education software, services and analytics solutions, Blackboard has been at the forefront of DC’s burgeoning tech scene for more than 15 years.
“We are extremely proud to continue building our great partnership with the District of Columbia,” said Dr. Ballhaus. “Mayor Bowser shares our vision for the education and professional development of DC youth by inspiring them to learn, empowering them to make a difference, and providing the opportunity for them to succeed. We are excited to work together to realize this vision and continue making DC a hub for technology innovation.”
Blackboard received a grant under Mayor Bowser’s Creative and Open Space Modernization program to assist with various tenant improvements in connection with the office relocation. In exchange, Blackboard has committed to recruiting and hiring District residents, offering youth development, targeting Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs) in its procurement activities, and offering free space, products, and/or services to low-income and underserved communities.