MOAA 6th Annual DC Africa Festival
Dear Friends,
Please join me and my staff in celebrating African
Heritage Month 2015 - 6th Annual DC Africa Festival in the District! Our
festival attractions include Children’s Corner, Wellness Pavilion, Africa
Culture Chalets, Vendors Village, Government and Community-based Resources. We
will invite the audience to participate in a Parade of Flags and a
Community-to-Runway Fashion Show turning the spotlight onto contemporary and
traditional African attire. DJ Underdog will spin his African Soundscapes and
live bands representing the rhythms and grooves of the continent will be
performing all afternoon.The event is free and open to the public.Please come
for a fun filled day celebrating Africa in the District!
RSVP REQUIRED: Click here to Register
Invite your
neighbors and friends to the festival by sharing the above link.
Use our hashtag #DCAfricaFestival
at the festival to share your experience with others.
Sincerely,
Mamadou Samba,
Director, MOAA
 When: Sunday, September 27, 2015 | 12:00 pm-6:00 pm
Where: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center - Woodrow Wilson Plaza -
Closest Metro: Federal Triangle Metro Station (orange/blue lines)
RSVP Required: click here
African Heritage Month Celebration
Following Mayor Muriel Bowser African Heritage Month Proclamation, The Council of the District of Columbia will issue a ceremonial resolution also recognizing African Heritage.This event will take place on Friday, September 25, 2015 at 2pm and is hosted by the Cameroon American Council in partnership with the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs during the kickoff of the 5th Annual National African Heritage Month and Legislative Week. Please join us for this event.
What: Kickoff 5th Annual National African Immigrant Heritage Month's Legislative Week: DC Council to issue Ceremonial Resolution Recognizing September as African Immigrant Heritage Month, from September 25 to 30, 2015
Who: Council Member David Grosso, the Cameroon American Council, Mayor’s Office on African Affairs
When: Friday, September 25th 2015 | 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Where: Council of the District of Columbia- Room 103 | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. | Washington, DC | 20004
Contact: oaa@dc.gov or sylviebello.dc@gmail.com or text 918.902.5869
The vent is FREE and Open to the Public. Refreshments will be served.
MOAA/GMU African Diaspora Demographic Survey
On behalf of the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs and the George Mason University, you are invited to participate in the African Diaspora Demographic Survey. The survey will address critical gaps in information and capture much needed demographic data such as age, employment, education, and language proficiency. The project will culminate in a jointly-issued research report with important policy recommendations and analyses of issues facing the African diaspora community, namely underemployment, cultural and linguistic language barriers, and lack of access to services.
Once completed, the survey will serve as a resource for researchers and as support for targeted outreach efforts of service providers and government agencies in connecting policy decisions with the needs of African immigrants communities in the Washington metropolitan area.
Please click here to complete the survey.
Thank you for your participation in this important project.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs at 202.727.5634 or email us at oaa@dc.gov.
MOAA Fall Internships (September-December, 2015)
 MOAA is accepting applications for Fall 2015! If you are interested in public service and working with African Diaspora communities in the District of Columbia, you are invited to submit an application. Bi-lingual (Amharic and French) interns are especially encouraged to apply. Internships are unpaid and require a minimum requirement of 32-hours per week.
Learn more
Be in the Know: Help OAA’s Facebook page get to 3,000 likes!
 Like OAA’s Facebook page to help us get to 3,000 likes and we’ll help you stay connected! We have over 1,000 likes and we need your help to reach our new goal!
Also, follow us on Twitter!
OAA’s FACEBOOK PAGE HAS IT ALL!
Interested in being the first to hear about grant opportunities, business development services, DC government resources, networking events, and Africa-related news and events?
Click here
Mayor Bowser Highlights Pope.DC.Gov as Info Hub for Papal Visit
Ahead of Pope Francis’ visit to Washington, DC, the Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser has launched pope.dc.gov. This website serves as a one-stop destination for anyone seeking information on the Pope’s visit to the District, including road closures, public transportation adjustments, District government services and more.
“We are so pleased to have Pope Francis in our nation’s capital, and we welcome with open arms the thousands of people who will come to the District in the coming days,” said Mayor Bowser. “My Administration is working closely with our federal and regional partners to ensure maximum security and safety for residents and visitors during the Papal Visit.”
The District of Columbia government will remain in full operation all week, continuing to deliver vital services for District residents. The District’s website will be updated throughout the Pope’s visit with the latest information.
Learn more
Mayor Bowser Introduces Legislation to Create Jobs in District, Retain Largest DC Tech Company
On Thursday, September 17, 2015 Mayor Muriel Bowser, City Administrator Rashad Young, Director of DC Department of Human Services Laura Zeilinger, Executive Director of the Interagency Council on Homelessness Kristy Greenwalt and other Administration officials participated in a meeting with members of the District’s Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH). During the meeting, Mayor Bowser announced a set of legislative and administrative measures to improve the District’s homelessness crisis response system for families and called on residents to sign a pledge to end homelessness.
“Far too many men, women, and children live on our streets and in our shelters,” said Mayor Bowser. “Ending homelessness in the District has to be a priority for all of us. We have a plan to make homelessness, rare, brief and non-recurring by 2020, and it’s on all of us to make that goal a reality. That’s why today, I’m asking residents to sign a pledge and commit to ending homelessness in the District.”
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Pledge to End Homelessness in DC
Please support the District’s bold effort to end homelessness by taking the Pledge to End Homeless in DC.
Far too many men, women, and children live on our streets and in our shelters. This is unacceptable, because homelessness is a problem we know how to solve. Earlier this year, Mayor Bowser and the DC Interagency Council on Homelessness released HomewardDC, a comprehensive five-year plan to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. In her first Budget, Mayor Bowser is making historic investments in Homeward DC and in the solutions we know work to end homelessness. Now, Mayor Bowser is announcing a set of legislative and administrative measures to ensure these investments make the biggest impact on the lives of DC residents experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.
The Bowser Administration has a plan to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. To achieve this goal Mayor Bowser is announcing an all eight ward strategy that includes legislative and administrative measures to improve the District’s homelessness crisis response system for families. Mayor Bowser asks you to join the effort to end homelessness in DC. Our entire community must be a part of the solution. Every neighborhood, and every resident, has a stake in ending homelessness.
As the Director of the Mayor’s Office on African
Affairs, I have already taken the pledge to end Homelessness in DC and I
ask that you join me by also taking the Pledge. Our goal is to get 500 African residents to take this Pledge and we need your support to reach our goal.
You can take the Pledge by signing and returning it to us via email at oaa@dc.gov or you can do so directly by visiting http://dcforms.dc.gov/webform/pledge-end-homelessness-dc.
If you prefer to do it online, please email us back to let us know that you’ve done so.
Please follow the link to learn more about the Mayor’s plan to end homelessness
 Click on flyer to learn more
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The Right Choice Campaign
On Friday, July 10, 2015, Mayor Muriel Bowser signed into law emergency legislation aimed at preventing the sale of synthetic drugs in the District of Columbia. The law authorizes the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), and District government as a whole to take swifter and stronger action against businesses who sell these illegal products.
District business owners are encouraged to participate in the Mayor’s #WePledgeDC campaign by signing a pledge not to participate in the sale of any form of synthetic drugs. More than 150 businesses across the District have already signed the pledge promising that they will not sell synthetic drugs. Look for the sticker below in participating stores and businesses.
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DC’s “Little Ethiopia” Has Moved to Silver Spring and Alexandria
Historically, the DC area’s Ethiopian diaspora has centered on Adams Morgan and Shaw. But as the community has grown, it’s mostly moved out of the District. Today, the region actually has two “Little Ethiopias”: one in Silver Spring and one in Alexandria.
The DC area has the nation’s largest Ethiopian community, but just how big it is up for debate. The 2013 American Community Survey found about 40,000 people of Ethiopian ancestry in the region, while the Arlington-based Ethiopian Community Development Center says there are 100,000 Ethiopians living in the area.
Learn more
Africa: U.S. Businesses Visit Ethiopia As Part of Largest-Ever U.S.-Led Trade Mission to Africa
The U.S. Embassy to Addis Abeba, through its Foreign Commercial Service office, welcomed Ten U.S. Companies to Ethiopia this week as part of the largest U.S. government-led trade mission to Africa in history.
The companies went through a day of meetings with Ethiopian government officials and area businesses, in an effort to facilitate new U.S.-Africa business deals. The Ethiopia visit was part of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Trade Winds - Africa trade mission, which is ultimately bringing more than 100 U.S. companies to eight Sub-Saharan African markets.
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Female Ugandan Students Have Created an App That Detects Vaginal Bacteria
A group of five female students from Makerere University in Uganda have successfully created a test kit connected to a smartphone app that is able to detect harmful vaginal bacteria that cause bacterial vaginosis and other infections.
In a video posted to YouTube, the team known as Team Code Gurus explain exactly how they created the app. The test kit, known as Her Health BVKit, consists of hardware and a software application. The hardware is the actual test kit that connects to the smartphone app via Bluetooth.
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Bootcamp: Building and Executing Your Marketing Plan
By participating in the Business Boot Camp presented by Capital One, participants will learn tried and true marketing tactics and customer engagement techniques to grow business sales. Participants will learn to develop and implement their plans in a way that maximizes time and success.
When: Tuesday, September 29, 2015 | 12:00 pm-4:00 pm
Where: The Hive 2.0 | 1231-B Good Hope Rd. SE | Washington, DC | 20020
Learn more
DSLBD Monthly Small Business Visit
The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development is encouraging businesses to sign-up for its monthly visit schedule.
Learn more
Understanding Business Structures Workshop
This workshop is designed to educate and inform business owners about LLC, S Corp. Sole Proprietorship and partnership. Participants will have a clear understanding of each business structure and its tax implications. This workshop will provide entrepreneurs with the necessary information on which business structure would best fit their start-up operation. This workshop also support growth and expansion for existing businesses.
When: Wednesday, September 30, 2015 | 2:00 pm-4:30pm
Where: DCRA Small Business Resource Center | 1100 4th Street SW | Room E-4302 | Washington, DC | 20024
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Project
Preparation in Africa: Essential Elements for Project Development
The Project Preparation seminar is
an introduction to the project development process, walking participant through
the key elements, activities, and processes. It is particularly helpful for
projects that are just an idea or in the early stages. Participants also
receive tools and resources.
When: Monday, October 19, 215 : 8:30
am-5:00 pm
Where: Nixon Peabody | 799 Ninth
Street NW | Suite 500 | Washington, DC | 20001
Learn
more
15th Annual Public-Private Conference
The Mayor’s Office of Partnerships and Grant Services in collaboration with the Center for Nonprofit Advancement is co-hosting the 15th Annual Public Private Conference. The conference theme focuses on the significance of the nonprofit sector as a major employer.
When: Monday, September 28, 2015 | 8:00 am-4:00 pm
Where: Kellogg Conference Hotel | Gallaudet University | 800 Florida Av.e NE | Washington, DC | 20002
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City-Wide Employment and Employment Support Services
United Planning Organization (UPO) announces funds to support programs that will provide employment or prepare participants for employment in high-demand careers and occupations as identified by the D.C. Department of Employment Services. Respondents must include job placement with no less than fifty (50) planned job placement outcomes and associated retention outcomes, as an integral part of their proposal.
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations
Deadline: Thursday, October 8, 2015
Contact: Mark Koiwai at mkoiwai@upo.org
Learn more
The Office of Partnerships and Grant Services, Grant Information Resource Center
The Grant Information Resource Center (GIRC) provides technical assistance and information about resources that improve community services in the District of Columbia for its “customers” - District government, nonprofit, and faith-based representatives. The primary focus is to assist customers who either lack computer access or the knowledge to best use their existing computer technology to strengthen their organizations.
When: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:00 am-12:00 pm and 2:00 pm-4:00 pm, by appointment only.
Contact: 202.727.8900. Please click here to schedule an appointment.
DC Main Streets
The Department of Small and Local
Business Development is soliciting applications from qualified non-profit
organizations that are incorporated in the District of Columbia to operate a
DC Main Streets programs for the Congress Heights commercial corridor in
Ward 8.
The
designated DC Main Streets program (organization) will receive $100,000
in grant funding and technical assistance to support a commercial
revitalization initiative. This organization will develop programs and services
to: (1) assist with the retention, expansion and attraction of
neighborhood-serving businesses; and (2) unify and strengthen the commercial
corridor.
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations
Deadline:
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Learn more
FitDC Ward 4 Walk
Join Ward 4 for its official ward walk and healthy food demo, with coach Carrye Brown. The Ward Walk will kick off at 9 AM EST at Fort Stanton Recreation Center and will conclude with some healthy snacks at the center.
When: Saturday, October 10, 2015 | 09:00 am
Where: Takoma Community Center | 300 Van Buren St NW | Washington, DC | 20012
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CPR AED and First Aid Training
Health & Safety International is offering CPR AED and First Aid Training. Certification is available upon completion of the training. This certification can be required for certain jobs, but also prepares individuals to respond to medical emergencies faced by those around them.
When: Offered throughout the year
Where: Local libraries, blended, onsite
Contact: Mr. Massa HealthSafetyINTL@gmail.com (202) 695-3663
Learn more
Crankin' Fitness
 Click on the flyer to learn more
Yoga @ Your Library
Yoga at Your Library is a beginner level yoga class for adults and teens brought to you courtesy of Yoga Activist. No experience is required. Classes are open to the public, and participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing, and bring a mat. Yoga mats are also available for use during the class.
When: Every Saturday | 11:00 am
Where: Georgia avenue-Petworth Library | 4200 Kansas Ave. NW | Washington, DC | 20011
Learn more
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Free Home Internet for Low-income DC Families
Connect.DC, the District’s digital inclusion program, is partnering with EveryoneOn, Byte Back, and the United Planning Organization will provide six months of free home Internet service ($60.00 value) to 500 DC families with school-aged children. This project is designed to help low income children use technology to succeed in school.
Learn more
Washington,
DC Idealist Grad Fair
Participants
will learn about admissions requirements and application deadlines for graduate
programs in social work, public policy, nonprofit management, international
affairs, public interest law, social entrepreneurship, and many more. There
will also be opportunities to speak with graduate admissions advisors from
local, national and international universities.
When:
Thursday, October 1, 2015 | 5:00 pm-8:00 pm
Where:
Washington Convention Center | 801 Mt Vernon Pl NW | Hall A | Washington, DC |
20001
Learn
more
Free Community College Workforce Training
The UDC Community College Division of Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning (WDLL) provides District of Columbia residents with job skills training leading to employment. The industries focused on are those where jobs are available in the District and in the metropolitan area.
Contact: workforce@udc.edu | 202-274-7181
Learn more
 Click on the flyer to learn more
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Jobseekers Drop-in Clinic and Computer Basics
Every Tuesday morning the DC Library Woodbridge branch provides computer access and help with the following: creating email accounts, refining your resume, completing job applications online, understanding the importance of using social media sites, finding and using free online continuing education classes, and providing networking opportunities with other jobseekers.
When: Every Tuesday | 10:00am-12:00pm
Where: Woodbridge Library | 1790 Douglas Street NE | Washington, DC | 20018
Learn more
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Room
to Read Book Swap
Room
to Read’s mission is to promote literacy and gender equality in education in
Asia and Africa. The DC Chapter of Room to Read is hosting its first annual
Book Swap. Participants should bring a favorite book to swap for a new read
while enjoying happy hour at an iconic DC restaurant.
When:
Thursday, October 1, 2015 | 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Where:
Ben's Next Door | 1213 U St NW | Washington, DC | 20009
Learn
more
Want Your Event Featured in the African Beat?
'The African Beat' is distributed to over 7,000 subscribers every other Friday. If you would like your event to be featured in our calendar, please submit the following details: what, when & where, and provide a link to where readers can go for more information. Submission deadline for the next edition is Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at 5:00 pm (Send all materials, along with any questions, to (oaa@dc.gov).
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