2014 Welcome Keynote Speaker: Anwar Saleem

Posted March 27, 2014 at 1:30 AM

Anwar SaleemAnwar Saleem is the Executive Director of H Street Main Street, Inc., a position he has held since 2007. Mr. Saleem founded this non-profit organization in 2002 to guide the revitalization of an important, and long-neglected, neighborhood commercial corridor in Washington D.C. He served as chairman of the Board of Directors until taking the direct responsibility for the delivery of commercial revitalization and business retention services as executive director. Mr. Saleem’s interest in H Street NE began long before 2002. He has owned a hair salon on the street since 1989 and has purchased several buildings over the years. A native Washingtonian, Mr. Saleem grew up in the surrounding neighborhoods and remembers the street in its heyday.

The economic growth strategy that Mr. Saleem developed has resulted in more than 2,600 new jobs on the H Street corridor. Through direct recruitment and partnerships, he helped to attract more than 256 new businesses to H Street NE. He has developed alliances with DC Government officials which bring substantial resources into H Street, including a leg in the new streetcar system and Tax Increment Financing. As a small business owner himself, Mr. Saleem understands the challenges that independent entrepreneurs encounter. He has helped business owners successfully apply for grants and loans to upgrade storefronts. Increasing H Street’s marketability has been a priority for Mr. Saleem. He led the rebranding of the commercial district into an arts and entertainment district. He created the H Street Main Street's Clean Team, which removes debris, graffiti, and snow to create a more appealing and safer environment for business clients and the residential community.

Mr. Saleem's commitment to marketing and promotion includes the annual H Street Festival. Attendance has grown from 5,000 people in 2007 to more than 100,000 in 2013. For many corridor businesses, the Festival-generated revenue is equivalent to the retail "Black Friday" that larger commercial districts experience. The event was award Best City Festival (Washington City Paper) for 2011, 2012 and 2013. With a commitment to future generations, Mr. Saleem has annually recruited, hired, and mentored DC students in summer work-and-learn programs.

Under Mr. Saleem's leadership, H Street Main Street has become a commercial revitalization success story. The organization won a Great American Main Street Award in 2013. It was ranked by USA Today as #1 amongst the 10 most up and coming neighborhoods in the America. Forbes Magazine named H Street NE one of the “hippest corridors” in 2012. The H Street Festival, which Mr. Saleem organizes, received a Best of Washington Award in 2012 and 2013.

Mr. Saleem continues to work as a volunteer in civic, advocacy, and youth development organizations that strengthen communities in Washington, D.C., his hometown.

Recognition and Honors

  • Certified Main Street Manger, from the National Main Street Center (2010)
  • Livable Walkable Award, from Council member Tommy Wells (2013)
  • DC Humanities Council Award (2013)
  • Certificate of Appreciation from Mayor Vincent Gray (2013)
  • Excepted the Great American Main Street Award in 2013
  • Awarded Outstanding Summer Youth Employment Program Provider (2013)