Son's Death Inspires Father to Carry on Legacy and Support Business Development in Washington, DC - City Officials, Politicians, Celebrities, the Community, Media, and the Fashion Industry Will Support Grand Opening of New Style Boutique "Destination U"

WHO: Mayor Anthony Williams, District of Columbia; Kenneth E, Barnes, Sr., MS,
Destination U; Eleanor Holmes Norton; Congressional Representative, District of Columbia; Charles Ramsey; Chief of Police, District of Columbia, Chris Donatelli, President, Donatelli & Klein, Co-Owners The Ellington; Nigel and Vance Gragg, Gragg & Associates, Co-Owners, The Ellington; Marion Barry, Councilmember, Ward 8 and former DC Mayor; Kwame Brown, City Council at Large, Jim Graham, Council Member Ward 1, Adrian Fenty Councilmember Ward 4 and mayoral candidate; John Gillis, Director, Office of Victims Services, United State Department of Justice; Brian Jordan, Assistant Chief of Police, Metropolitan Police Department; Mrs. Virginia Ali, sons Kamal and Nizam Ali, Bens Chili Bowl; Jair Lynch, Jair Lynch Companies and former Gold Medal Olympist; Diane Rehm, NPR Syndicated Talk Show Host; Caryn Mathes, GM, WAMU Radio 88.5; Ed Reiskin, Deputy Mayor Public Safety; Atonn Muhammed, President and CEO, Real Hip Hop Network; Rev. Lennox Yearwood, President and CEO, Hip Hop Caucus; The MidCity Business Association, representing the U Street corridor, Howard University School of Fashion and School of Architecture and many others.

WHAT: "Destination U" Exclusive Boutique Grand Opening Ceremony
Mayor Anthony Williams Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Media Preview and Rooftop Reception

WHEN: THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2005
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Media / VIP Preview and Ribbon Cutting
7:00pm – 9:00pm Celebration on Rooftop of Ellington

WHERE: Destination U, 1301 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009(in the Ellington Building)

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Destination U / Page 2

WHY: The U Street Corridor, Washington, DC’s own incubator of art and culture has a new style destination. Destination U a new directional fashion boutique will open its doors with a grand reception and ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Anthony Williams on August 4th at 6:00pm.

Trading fly-by-night trends and mainstream labels for cult-worthy designers such as Issa, Mackage, Joyaan, Romain Kapadia, Dekker London, Pilar Ruiz and Scott Langton, Destination U has created an unparalleled mix teeming with fashion, art, and architecture reminiscent of the historic location and its roaring renaissance in the 1920’s. The forward thinking yet conscious approach to retail is radiated through the use of unconventional treatments and materials by way of skateboards “repurposed” for clutches, hand sculpted leather accessories, and even a contemporary environment- friendly line for men and women. Destination U will be the new haven for the true trendsetters as well as the practical sophisticates who appreciate design and function.

The new industrial, loft –like space designed by award winning Nelson Architects is located on the ground floor of the ultra-chic new Ellington Building and features exposed ductwork, stained cement floor, dropped yin-yang ceiling half frosted glass other half stained oak, flanked with a rotating gallery of artwork and flat screen monitors all consummated by a mix of sensuous and percussive rhythms.

Funded by reSTORE DC, an urban development initiative aimed at revitalizing neighborhood business districts, the impetus for creating Destination U is a shining hope and sense of purpose brought forth by tragedy. Kenneth Barnes, Sr., Destination U owner, suffered the loss of his son, Kenny Barnes, Jr., a young entrepreneur, when he was murdered September 24, 2001 at his place of business, Boutique U. After his untimely death, his father not only started a nonprofit organization, ROOT, Inc. to help curb violence in the District, he vowed to keep his son's retail concept alive and to carry out the entrepreneurial dreams of his deceased son. In his memory, Destination U will redefine the fashion experience in the District.

Priscilla or Don Clarke, Clarke & Associates, LLC, pclarkepr@aol.com, Tel. 202-723-2200 or visit http://www.clarkepr.com/ http://www.rootinc.org/

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Priscilla Clarke, PRESIDENT
Clarke & Associates, LLC
Publicizing and Entertaining "Your World"
2020 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Suite 271
Washington, DC 20006
Tel. 202-723-2200, Fax. 202-723-4558
Website: www.CLARKEPR.com