The African Beat: MOAA News, Events, & Announcements, Friday, October 23, 2015
District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 10/23/2015 04:16 PM EDT
The Mayor’s Office on African Affairs (MOAA) is seeking qualified individuals to serve as reviewers for its FY16 African Community Grant. Reviewers help MOAA select the best proposals from a competitive pool of applicants and are chosen based on their knowledge, education, and experience. The review process is designed to ensure that each grant is awarded on the basis of evaluation selection criteria. Reviewers are therefore essential to the grant process as they evaluate and score applications and provide objective recommendations for potential recipients. The grant review panel will reflect a broad diversity of ethnicity, gender, age, and experience.  DC African Diaspora, Have Your Say!
The Mayor’s Office on African Affairs and The Commission on African Affairs invite you to an African community town hall discussion on key policy initiatives crucial to the African community. The discussion will focus on identifying various needs of the community while highlighting gaps and seeking ways to connect communities to District resources.The theme is “Pathway to the Middle Class” and topics of discussion will include (but are not limited to):
We want to hear from you!When: Tuesday, November 3, 2015 | 6:00 pm-7:30 pm Where: Frank D. Reeves Center of Municipal Affairs | 2000 14th Street NW | Washington, DC | 20009 | Edna Cromwell-Frazier Community Room | 2nd Floor Click here to RSVP
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. MOAA Fall Internships (October-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. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.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?   Mayor Bowser Kicks Off Snow Season with Dry Run
On Friday, October 23, 2015 Mayor Muriel Bowser, Department of Public Works Acting Director Christopher J. Shorter, District Department of Transportation Director Leif Dormsjo and Serve DC Executive Director Kristal Knight kicked off the District's 2015-2016 snow season at the annual snow Dry Run exercise at the Farragut Salt Dome in Northeast Washington, DC. The Snow and Ice Removal Program’s goal is to make the District's streets safe for travel and restore normal traffic flow as soon as possible after a snow event. "With winter around the corner, today's dry run gives us a chance to plan, prepare and practice for snow events," said Mayor Bowser. "We've taken a close look at previous snow seasons and improved on them. This year, we are deploying more resources earlier, and re-launching the Resident Snow Team to recruit volunteers to help elderly and disabled residents clear snow."
Mayor Bowser Announces New Grantees for Community Schools Partnerships On Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Mayor Muriel Bowser, Deputy Mayor for Education Jennifer Niles, State Superintendent of Education Hanseul Kang, and District of Columbia Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson announced two awardees of the District’s Community School Incentive Initiative Grant. J.O. Wilson Elementary School in Ward 6 and the Latin American Youth Center/Cardozo Community School in Ward 1 will each receive $175,000 to implement the community schools model, which promotes academic enrichment activities, facilitated parental involvement and health prevention and treatment services. “With these grants, we are expanding the community school model to reach even more families and students, as we continue our push to create more pathways to the middle class,” said Mayor Bowser. “By taking into account the whole needs of a child, the community school model breaks down barriers to success, and enables our students to grow and thrive.” DC Public School Graduation Rates Increase by 4% in 2014-15 School Year
The 2014-15 school year graduation rate for public high schools in the District of Columbia increased 4 percentage points over the 2013-14 school year, with both District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools posting gains, according to official data released Monday, October 19, 2015 by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).The graduation rate for DCPS rose 6.1 percentage points to 64.4 percent; the graduation rate for public charter schools rose 2.8 percentage points to 71.7 percent. Overall, 65.4% or 3,210 of 4,912 public school students in the District graduated high school in 2015, four years after entering the ninth grade. “Today’s news is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, administrators and families,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Graduating from high school with a high-quality education is an important step on the pathway to the middle class for our young people. While the District has made progress in recent years, we need to plow ahead and continue to improve our schools to ensure that all of our students have the knowledge they need to succeed in school and in the workforce.”  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 pledge online, please email to inform us. Please follow the link to learn more about the Mayor’s plan to end homelessness   Click on flyer to learn more
 Click on flyer to learn more
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. 
2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship Call for ApplicationsThe Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative, and a key part of the U.S. commitment to invest in the future of Africa. Beginning in 2016, the fellowship will bring together 1,000 young African leaders across three tracks—business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and public management—for a six-week, in-depth academic and leadership training at 20 top American universities. Eligible candidates should be between the ages of 25 and 35 and have a demonstrated track record of leadership in a public, private, or civic organization, and a commitment to contributing their skills and talents to build and serve their communities. Application deadline: November 11, 2015.
Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program, Call for ApplicationsUniversities in Africa and African-born academics in the United States and Canada can now apply for funding to take part in joint projects as part of the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP). Carnegie Corporation of New York has announced a renewal grant to the Institute of International Education that aims to support 140 collaborative projects in 2016 and 2017, building on the success of the first two years of the program. Deadline for applications: Tuesday, December 8, 2015 | 12:00 am EST
In Atlanta, Morocco Makes Case as Africa’s Business GatewayThe North African nation of Morocco is pitching itself as the preferred beachhead for American companies looking to take advantage of the next great driver of global economic growth: Africa’s one billion consumers and rising middle class. Top business leaders, government officials and diplomats made that point and more during the annual U.S.-Morocco Trade and Investment Forum, this year hosted in Atlanta by Coca-Cola Co., which has a strong brand and business presence in the country of 33 million people, including a bottling plant in Marrakech that can churn out 26,000 glass bottles of the locally developed Hawai orange drink per hour.
Microsoft appoints Amrote Abdella as new regional director for Microsoft 4AfrikaAmrote Abdella has been announced as the new regional director for Microsoft's 4Afrika Initiative, effective October 2015. In her new role, Abdella will oversee Microsoft's investments in Africa, deepen Microsoft's engagements on the continent and scale 4Afrika's work across different markets. "At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and organisation on the planet to do more," Abdella said. "The 4Afrika Initiative is perfectly aligned to accelerate this for the African continent through locally relevant innovation, affordable access and skills development." Launched in February 2013, the 4Afrika Initiative has grown to empower over 273,000 small to medium-size enterprises, 76,000 youth, 20,000 government employees, and nine innovation hubs with access to technology, resources and world-class skills development.
The First Ancient African Genome Reveals Complex Human MigrationsAfrica is considered to be the birthplace of humankind -- the cradle of humanity. But because its climate is poorly suited for DNA preservation, all of the ancient genomes to be analyzed have been from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. That changed when researchers published a paper in Science documenting the genetic code of a man who died 4,500 years ago in what's now Ethiopia. Scientists know that after the great migration from Africa, where all early humans originated -- treks that took place about 60,000 years ago -- some of the Eurasians who had developed agriculture made their way back into Africa. That's what makes the newly sequenced man, named Mota by scientists, so interesting.
African Poverty Projected by World Bank to Slump to 35% in 2015 Poverty in sub-Saharan Africa is projected by the World Bank to drop to 35 percent this year as faster economic growth in the past two decades allowed governments to boost spending on schools and clinics. The share of people living on less than $1.90 a day, defined as extreme poverty, is set to decline from 43 percent in 2012 and 56 percent in 1990, the Washington-based lender said. Globally, the poverty rate will probably drop to under 10 percent this year, the bank said. Sub-Saharan Africa has benefited from rising commodity prices, debt relief and better economic management in the past two decades, allowing the region to emerge as one of the fastest-growing in the world after Asia. A slowdown this year triggered by falling oil and metal prices is complicating efforts to reduce poverty further, according to the World Bank.  Money Smart for Small Business Workshop: Financial Management & Credit Reporting for Small BusinessesThe Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs is hosting a workshop to help business owners learn how to best run their business. The workshop is held in conjunction with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC) Money Smart for Small Business curriculum modules. During the session, representatives from Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T) will assist individuals with a better understanding of Financial Management and Credit Reporting. When: Thursday, October 29, 2015 | 4:00 pm-6:00 pm Where: 1100 4th Street, SW | Washington, DC | 20024
Advanced strategies for Selling into International MarketsThe Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs is bringing together an International Trade Panel of Government and Private Sector Professionals to address ways that companies can expand overseas and sell their products and/or services all over the world. This customized training and counseling program will feature advanced strategies in international business and is designed for companies that have been in business for at least 2 years. When: Wednesday, November 04, 2015 | 10:00 am-5:00 pm Where: 1100 4th Street SW | Washington, DC | 20024
International Trade Training WorkshopThe Small Business Development Center at the Anacostia Economic Development Corporation is hosting a training workshop for businesses and entrepreneurs interested in international markets. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to identify the primary markets for their product or service, successful market entry strategies and best practices from experts in international trade. This workshop is taught from a beginner’s perspective and will provide a comprehensive overview of strategies and resources to help you decide if exporting is right for your business and how to get started. When: Thursday, November 05, 2015 | 10:00 am-12:00 pm Where: DHCD Resource Center| 1800 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE | Washington, DC | 20024
The Business Planning ProcessThis two hour workshop training events assist the participant in understanding the processes involved in the development of a viable and comprehensive business plan, as well as, helping to establish a framework for undertaking the necessary steps to test a business concept and determine feasibility. The workshop facilitates discussion on the important elements of the business plan, and assist the participant in understanding their relative importance. When: Thursday, November 05, 2015 | 6:30 pm-8:30 pm Where: Anacostia Library | 1800 Good Hope Road SE | Washington, DC | 20020 
The Office of Partnerships and Grant Services, Grant Information Resource CenterThe 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 by appointment only |10:00 am-12:00 pm and 2:00 pm-4:00 pm Contact: 202.727.8900. Please click here to schedule an appointment.
Literacy and Educational ProgramsThe Wish You Well Foundation announces funds to support family literacy by fostering and promoting the development and expansion of new and existing literacy and educational programs. Eligibility: Non-profit organizations. Deadline: N/A. Contact: Wish You Well Foundation, info@wishyouwellfoundation.org .
The Youth and Artistic and Cultural ProgramsThe Surdna Foundation announces funds to support organization that connect tens to artistically, rigorous, and culturally relevant programs that equip them with practical and life-enhancing skills and help them prepare to be creative and innovative leaders in their communities Eligibility: Non-profit organizations (interested organizations must submit a letter of inquiry). Deadline: N/A. Contact: Surdna Foundation, (212) 557-0010, grants@surdna.org .
National Grassroots GrantThe Ben and Jerry’s Foundation announces funds to support grassroots, constituents-led organizations that are community-organizing strategies to accomplish progressive social change by addressing the underlying conditions of societal and environmental problems. Eligibility : Non-profit Organizations. Deadline : N/A. Contact : Rebecca Golden, (802) 846-1500 , info@benandjerrysfoundation.org.  FitDC Ward 8 Walk Ward 8 residents and community members are invited to join Mayor Muriel Bowser and Ward 8 Coach Charles Taylor in a ward walk to log steps for the #BillionStepsChallenge. The event will also feature healthy food demos. When: Saturday, October 24, 2015 | 9:00 am Where: Fort Stanton Recreation Center | 1812 Erie Street SE | Washington, DC | 20020 Let’s Talk about Breast Health: Her Story Matters Click on the image to learn more
The Mayor’s Office on Women’s Policy and Initiatives, in partnership with The Health Alliance Network of Ward 7 and Breast Care for Washington is hosting Let’s Talk about Breast Health: Her Story Matters in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Participants will engage in an in-depth discussion on how to prevent breast cancer and the importance of breastfeeding. A panel of experts will answer questions and offer free health screenings, treats, food and giveaways. When: Tuesday, October 27, 2015 | 6:00 pm-8:00 pm Where: Department of Employment Services | 4058 Minnesota Ave. NE | 1st Floor Multi-Purpose Room | Washington, DC 20019 Community Wellness Collective Halloween Open House Click on the image to learn more
For Health Literacy Month, The Community Wellness Collective is having an Open House on Halloween. Participants will get to enjoy free fitness classes, Ask the Doctor Sessions and Blood Pressure Screenings. When: Saturday, October 31, 2015 | 9:00 am-1:00 pm Where: Anacostia Arts Center | 1231 Good Hope Rd SE | Washington, DC | 20020
The Prudential 4.01K Race for RetirementThe Race for Retirement is an event organized by Prudential to encourage everyone to save for retirement. This year’s edition will be held on the RFK Stadium festival grounds. The event will also feature a festival with music, entertainment, and food following the run. When: Tuesday, November 17, 2015 | 10:00 am-2:00 pm Where: Festival Grounds at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium | 2400 E Capitol Street SE | Washington, DC | 20003  Department of Housing and Community Development Survey on Affordable HousingThe Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) created an online survey to solicit input for affordable housing and community needs in DC. The results will help shape the FY 2016 – FY 2020 Consolidated Plan (“Plan”). The document is updated every five years and submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). All projects and initiatives funded over the next five years will tie back to the policies and priorities outlined in this plan. This survey, along with public hearings and informal events, will drive DHCD’s Needs Assessment Analysis for this 5-year update. Share your thoughts with us and take the survey! For more information, visit DHCD’s website. FY 2016 – 2020 የተቀናጀ ዕቅድ ፍላጎቶች ግምገማ በዲሲ ዋጋቸው
ተመጣጣኝ የሆኑ መኖሪያ ቤቶች እና የማኅበረሰብ ልማት ፍላጎቶች የሚመለከት የዳሰሳ ጥናት የበለጠ ለመረዳት እዚህ ይመልከቱ Évaluation des besoins du plan consolidé pour les années fiscales 2016 - 2020 Une enquête sur les besoins de logements abordables et de développements communautaires dans le District de Columbia (DC) Le processus de réalisation du plan consolidé pour les années fiscales 2016 - 2020 est en cours ! Le Service du logement et du développement communautaire du DC (DC Department of Housing and Community Development, DHCD) est chargé de développer un plan consolidé (« le plan »), un document qui présente la manière dont l'Agence envisage de dépenser les quatre ressources fédérales. Ce document est mis à jour tous les cinq ans et soumis au Ministère du Logement et du Développement urbain des États-Unis (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD). Il s'agit d'une période exceptionnelle pour le DHCD, qui développe les politiques et les initiatives qui favoriseront la création d'opportunités et le développement de communautés équitables. Pour le DHCD, le plan servira de feuille de route pour nos travaux futurs, faisant la promotion d'une vision complète d'un DC abordable, habitable et en pleine expansion. L'engagement communautaire est un élément essentiel de ce processus et servira de base à nos objectifs politiques et à nos processus décisionnels. Cette enquête, associée à des audiences publiques officielles et à des évènements informels, contribuera à dresser le tableau des besoins de logements abordables et de développements communautaires dans le DC. Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program Click on flyer to learn more
The D.C. Career Fair This event co-sponsored by Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen and At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman will include an intensive career training workshop in addition to the hiring event, in an effort to provide focused, immediately applicable career training and hiring services onsite, this event will require participants to pre-register with one of the partner agencies, thus ensuring increased access to personalized professional development for those seeking job placement. When: Friday, October 30, 2015 | 9:00 am-4:00 pm Where: Throughout Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater | 1101 Sixth Street SW | Washington DC | 20024
Wi$eUp, Financial Planning Online Program for Generation X & Y WomenWi$eUp is a financial education program for Generation X & Y women. It promotes financial security through online education. The Wi$eUp course offers help with straightening your files and records, analyzing your spending and setting financial goals, building a realistic budget, credit and the evaluation of a credit report, creating an emergency fund and set aside account, Investing 101, getting to know your retirement plan, and developing a comprehensive financial plan. The online course has eight components. Registration is free and gives you access to the entire course. After logging in, you may complete the chapters using as much time as needed and in any order.
Cooke College ScholarshipsThe Cooke Foundation offers the largest scholarships available to exceptionally high achieving, low-income students. Scholars receive up to $40,000 a year to cover tuition, living expenses, books and other fees. Cooke Scholars come from every state with no restriction on background, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, political affiliation or citizenship status.
Click here to learn more about this scholarship opportunity.
Click here to learn more about this scholarship opportunity.  Click on flyer to learn more
Free Home Internet for Low-income DC FamiliesConnect.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.  Click on flyer to learn more
English Conversation CircleThe English Conversation Circle at the Georgetown Neighborhood resumes the Fall session from September 9 to December 2, 2015 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. Volunteer facilitators from The Washington English Center will lead the classes. Contact The Washington English Center at 202-387-2222 or The Georgetown Neighborhood Library at 202-727-9232.
Jobseekers Drop-in Clinic and Computer BasicsEvery Friday morning the DC Library Southeast 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: Southeast Library | 403 7th St. SE | Washington, DC | 20018  DC Citizen Snow Team
The DC Citizen Snow Team is comprised of volunteers who are able to assist seniors and residents with disabilities with shoveling and snow removal in the event of winter weather. The DC Citizen Snow Team is part of the larger, citywide District Snow Team initiative. The District Snow Team is led by the Department of Public Works and the Department of Transportation in partnership with other government agencies. In the event of a snow emergency, the District of Columbia Snow Team clears snow and ice from approximately 2,295 lane miles of streets, bridges, overpasses and ramps across the city. Interested parties can attend a Snow Team Recruitment and Training Session for the 2015 - 2016 Snow Season where they will learn about the Citywide Snow Team (DDOT, DPW) snow removal deployments to clear main and side roads of snow and how volunteers can assist in these efforts by helping their elderly and disabled neighbors. Click here to learn more and here to register for an upcoming training and recruiting session. 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, November 4, 2015 at 5:00 pm (Send all materials, along with any questions, to (oaa@dc.gov). |
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