Note From the Director
 Dear
Community Members and Stakeholders:
Please join Mayor Vincent
C. Gray and his Office on African Affairs (OAA) in ushering in an important
month, September, proclaimed by Mayor Vincent C. Gray for the first time in 2012 as “African Heritage Month” in the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia joins several other jurisdictions in the country including Montgomery County who have officially proclaimed September as African Heritage Month.
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The District is home to
roughly 16,000 African immigrants, from 50 diverse African countries, whose
presence contributes to the cultural identity, character, social, and economic
fabric of our city. During this significant month, we are proud to underscore
these contributions, while taking time to gain a deeper understanding of the
community’s needs and challenges. We know that fully understanding the African
community’s unique experiences is paramount in strengthening their development
and sustainability.
OAA also recognizes the
crucial role that culturally and linguistically competent community based
organizations play in serving and supporting our most vulnerable community
members. This month, we will begin
soliciting grant applications from qualified community-based organizations
(CBOs) for our FY15 African Community
Grant. The grant is intended to fund programs that provide targeted
services and resources to the District’s African residents in areas of need in
the community. Funding priority areas identified for FY15 are economic and workforce
development, linkage to health and human services, youth engagement and
education, promotion of arts, culture and the humanities. I encourage all
interested and qualified community based organizations to please stay tuned for
more information about OAA’s FY15 African
Community Grant via www.oaa.dc.gov.
Lastly, visit our website for a full listing of events and activities
in honor of African Heritage Month. I hope that you will participate in these
enriching events organized throughout the District and beyond to showcase the
growing presence and vitality of the African community!
Best,
Ngozi Nmezi |Director, DC Mayor's Office on African Affairs
Mayor Gray Proclaims September as "African Heritage Month"
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Mayor Gray Cuts the Ribbon on Achievement Center for District Youth
Redesigned Building to Provide Additional Workforce Development, Educational Resources
Mayor Gray, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services BB Otero, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Paul Quander, and Department of General Services Director Brian Hanlon, joined with Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) Director Neil Stanley along with youth and community members to cut the ribbon on a new achievement center near Chinatown on H Street NW. The center will serve as a central place for DYRS youth to attain workforce development skills and certifications in areas like culinary arts, food safety and handling, bicycle repair, dog training, and photography as well as academic assistance, including GED classes.
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Mayor Gray Takes Action to Continue Progress on Education Reform, Accepts Final Recommendations on Student Assignment Policies and DCPS Boundaries
First Phase of Boundary Changes to Take Effect For 2015-16 School Year
Mayor Gray last week announced that he has accepted the final recommendations of the DC Advisory Committee on Student Assignment to implement updated assignment policies and school boundaries. The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education released the recommendations to the public today. In a letter to the Advisory Committee, among other reasons for agreeing to the recommendations, the Mayor noted that the benefits of moving forward far outweigh the cost of inaction, and cited the need to update policies and boundaries that have not been reviewed in more than 40 years.
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Mayor Gray Dedicates New Chuck Brown Memorial Park
Godfather of Go-Go Memorialized at Unveiling of Sculpture & Memorial Wall
Celebrating what would have been Chuck Brown’s 78th birthday, Mayor Gray last Friday posthumously honored the life and legacy of the Go-Go legend at the new Chuck Brown Memorial Park at Langdon Park in Northeast. “Chuck Brown combined diverse musical genres to help create a distinctive 20th-century American sound that endures in the District and nationwide. He will forever be remembered as a tireless and constant presence in the musical landscape of this city,” said Mayor Gray.
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The Geography of Foreign Students in U.S. Higher Education: Origins and Destinations
The United
States is the preeminent global hub for academic training. In the 2012-2013
academic year the United States hosted a record 819,644 international students,
21 percent of all students studying abroad worldwide.1
America’s renowned educational institutions, global networks of students and
professionals and high-level research and innovation activities combine to
attract hundreds of thousands of students each year..
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Press Release
Congressman Serrano Announces $300,000 in DOJ Funding to Enhance Services for African Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Washington, DC – Congressman Jose E. Serrano (D-NY) today announced the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office on Violence Against Women, has awarded the Sauti Yetu Center for African Women $300,000 in grants to expand and enhance their services in the Bronx. Awarded through the DOJ’s Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Program, the funding will allow the Center to better serve non-English speaking African victims of sexual assault, domestic and/or dating violence, and stalking in the Bronx by adapting its “Multilingual Language Access Model” (MLAM), and hiring new multilingual staff for community outreach and awareness campaigns.
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Will Smith to Play Bennet Omalu, Who Changed the Way We Think About Football
It is generally impossible to tell if a movie will be good or bad simply because of its choice of subject matter or leading actor. But sometimes it is significant that a movie is in production at all. Such is the case with Will Smith's new project, in which he will play Bennet Omalu, the forensic pathologist and neuropathologist who discovered chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition caused by repeated blows to the head.
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Believe In Africa Day 2014
Leading The Way to the US-Africa Leaders Summit: Guiding the World to Believe in Africa's Future
Washington,
D.C.
- Washington, DC’s highly anticipated and successful Believe in Africa Day was
held with a standing room only crowd on Sunday, August 3, 2014 at the Newseum
in Washington, D.C.
Believe
in Africa Day, organized by Angelle B. Kwemo, Founder and CEO of Believe in Africa, was created
because of Kwemo’s vision to present an African response to African issues.
Believe in Africa Day was timely as it brought together key players on the
African continent who believe that the time has come for all the sons and
daughters of Africa to be involved in the resurgence of their beloved
continent.
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Small Business Capital Improvement Grants
The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning
and Economic Development (DMPED) invites the submission of applications for the
H Street NE and Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvement Grants
beginning on Tuesday, September 9, 2014. DMPED will award individual grants of
up to a maximum of $85,000 for small business owners to improve their place of
business. The grant application will be available on the Great Streets website
at greatstreets.dc.gov beginning on September 9. PLEASE NOTE: this is a rolling
application. Submitted applications will be reviewed, and award decisions will
be made, on a monthly basis commencing on Monday, September 29th, 2014.
Great Streets Grant
H Street NE Grant
Green Building Symposium
The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs is excited to announce the third annual Green Building Symposium set for September 26, 2014. Mark your calendars and join us this year as we take a closer look at how the new Green Construction Code, Energy Conservation Code, GreenBuilding Act, Green Area Ratio, benchmarking law and more are being implemented and enforced from design through building permitting, inspections, and post-occupancy.
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Exporting with the Ex-Im Bank: Women Tell All
The Women in International Trade (WIIT), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Chamber’s Center for Women in Business (CWB) are pleased to host three women-owned businesses as they share their exporting success story, and the role the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im) has had on growth and jobs to their small companies.
When: September 4, 2014 |12:00pm to 1:00pm
Where: U.S. Chamber of Commerce| 1615 H Street NW| Washington DC |20062
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Careers in Africa
The Careers in
Africa Recruitment Summit New York, taking place from 7-9 November this year,
that will bring together graduates and
professionals seeking careers in Africa with leading companies from the
region. The Summit will provide unparalleled face-to-face access with leading HR Directors and
Senior Business Leaders from up to 15 organisations over one weekend, and feature interviews, company presentations and
networking sessions. There will be a pre-selection process
before you are invited to attend this prestigious, free-of-charge summit for
interview or networking. Application deadline is 26th September
2014.
Learn More
U.S. - Africa Infrastructure Conference
The Corporate Council on Africa presents its 6th U.S.-Africa Infrastructure Conference. This year’s conference, themed “Building Resilient Cities,” will highlight how major metropolises in Africa are coping with rapid urbanization and the needs of a steadily growing middle class. Workshops will offer solutions for potable water, inter-modal transportation, communication technology, and on- and off-grid electricity. This year’s special sessions will also address natural and man made disasters.
When: October 7-9, 2014
Where: The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center |1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW |Washington, DC |20004
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2015 Culture of Health Prize
The
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has issued a Call for Applications for
its 2015 Culture of Health Prize, an annual program that honors outstanding
community efforts and partnerships to help people live healthier lives. Up to
ten communities across the United States will be awarded $25,000 in cash and
have their accomplishments celebrated and shared broadly with the goal of
raising awareness and inspiring locally driven change.
Deadline:
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
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Capacity Building, Special Projects and General Operations
The William J. and Dorothy K. O'Neill Foundation announces funds to support programs that assist low-income families, intergenerational families, families with mental health needs, families with at-risk youth, and families with specific disabilities. A letter of inquiry is required.
Deadline: Monday, September 1, 2014
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Eight Webinars for New Nonprofits
The
D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program is announcing a new, on-demand webinar series for new
nonprofit organizations. These webinars explain many
of the rules and best practices for maintaining your organization's tax-exempt
status, including: Governance, fundraising and record-keeping requirements; a
general overview for compliance with employment laws; protecting your
organization's trademarks and copyrights; financial oversight by the Board of
Directors and the basics of risk management to protect your organization and
clients. There is no registration for these webinars--they are available for
free at any time.
Learn More
Communicating With Impact For Nonprofits
Progressive Communicators of Washington, D.C. (PCDC) is hosting a free “communications for nonprofits” clinic for organizations serving the local DC/MD/VA communities. PCDC is a volunteer professional development and networking group of communications experts who are committed to progressive causes and organizations. Organizations will be matched with one or more of PCDC’s seasoned professionals to help each client organization address its current communications challenges. Deadline for applications is September 10.
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Cancer and Pediatric Illness Treatment & Prevention
Alexander and Margaret Stewart Foundation announces funds to support organizations that provide care or treatment of economically deprived residents suffering from cancer or childhood afflictions. A letter of inquiry is required.
Deadline: September 19, 2014
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Nonprofit Organizations -Why Navigate the Legal System By
Yourself?
The
Community Economic Development Project can help your nonprofit. Their mission
is to help your organization locate pro-bono legal counsel. Since 1998, we have
matched nonprofit organizations with law firms in the District of Columbia.
Among the projects they have done: matched a nonprofit with legal counsel to
help it negotiate a new commercial lease; secured legal counsel for a nonprofit
that wanted to conduct a legal audit of its governance documents; and found pro-bono counsel to assist a nonprofit that was being audited by the federal
government.
If you need help with a real
estate matter, corporate governance, contract issues or employment matters,
contact to lpaley@dcbar.org at CED and they help match you with pro-bono
legal counsel.
14th Annual Public Private Partnership Conference
Join the Mayor’s Office of Partnerships and Grant Services’ (OPGS) and the Center for Nonprofit Advancement on Monday, September 8 for the 14th Annual Public Private Partnership Conference. This comprehensive day of learning and networking will connect you with leaders from across the region and resources to move you towards greater sustainability.
When: Monday, September 8, 2014| 8:00am - 4:00pm
Where: The World Bank, Preston Auditorium| 1818 H Street, NW | Washington, DC 20433
Learn More
2014 Women, Wellness & Wealth Conference - Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Come join us for an amazing, energy-filled day as we celebrate Women, Wellness & Wealth! This dynamic and powerful one-day women's conference will educate and empower you to conquer challenges in your finances, fitness, health and work/life balance. Be enlightened, be informed, be unstoppable! We know it as: "The Pleasure of Walking Tall".
When: Saturday| October 18, 2014 |9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Where: Clarion Hotel|6400 Oxon Hill Road| Oxon Hill|MD|20745
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Health and Wellness Expo
The Health and Wellness Center works for the physical and mental well-being of the Trinity community, including sponsoring and/or participating in events such as the Health and Wellness Expo or the end of the semester Stress Busters event.
When: Monday | September 29, 2014 |10:00 am - TBD
Where: Trinity Washington University |125 Michigan Ave. NE|Washington DC| 20017
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Department of Health - Think Before You Drink
To increase the awareness of risks associated with perinatal alcohol use and its effects on the fetus.
When: Friday| September 19, 2014 |8:00am – 4:00pm
Where: Howard University-College of Medicine|520 W St. NE|Washington DC |20059
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Health Information Exchange (HIE) Stakeholder Summit
The DC Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) and the DC HIE Policy Board are pleased to invite you to attend and participate in the Health Information Exchange (HIE) Stakeholder Summit. Registration is now open.
When: Wednesday|September 10, 2014 |8 am – 4 pm
Where: George Washington University| Marvin Center Grand Ballroom |800 21st Street, NW |Washington DC |20052
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Free Job Training To African Immigrants Living In DC
CitiWide Computer Training Center is offering free workforce training in computer literacy, financial literacy, math skills, life skills, education enrichment, and health and safety training.
When: Every Friday and Saturday |10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: CitiWide Computer Training Center |1112 11th Street NW |Suite B |Washington DC |20001
Learn More
DC Customer Care Center Professional Development Catalog
The District Department of Human Resources is offering classes for DC residents on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Classes are located at 441 4th Street, NW, in the South Lobby.
Learn More
Upcoming Training and Webinars
The Howard University AETC Capitol Region Telehealth Project is a free continuing medical education program* that educates healthcare professionals, health care organizations and health care networks who provide treatment, care and support to individuals diagnosed with HIV in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Delaware.
When: Bi-Weekly on Wednesdays |Begins September 03, 2014 |12pm - 12:30pm
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Select Diaspora Populations in the United States
Diaspora populations often perform essential functions in the economic and human capital development of their countries of origin, and can continue playing a strong role in shaping these countries long after they or their forebears departed. The Rockefeller Foundation and the Aspen Institute have launched the Rockefeller-Aspen Diaspora Program (RAD), a joint venture to better understand diaspora members’ financial and human capital investments and to design an approach to foster further growth in these areas. The Migration Policy Institute has partnered with RAD to produce profiles of 15 diaspora communities in the United States, which is home to nearly 60 million first- or second-generation immigrants.
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The Center for Peace Education (CPE) Awareness Campaign Aims at Addressing the Ebola Crisis in Liberia
The Center for Peace Education (CPE), a District of Columbia 501(c)(3) non-governmental organization dedicated to teaching peace and fostering peaceful co-existence and harmony among war-affected communities in Liberia, is working to address this health crisis. CPE volunteer teachers, who are not in the classroom because schools are closed, have already begun an awareness campaign in Montserrado County, the seat of the national capital. To this end, CPE has designed educational materials to teach people about the true impact of the virus, how it is spread, and effective means of prevention. In order for this information to reach as many people as possible, CPE is kindly requesting the support of the local African community and beyond to help facilitate its awareness and sensitization campaign.
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Want Your Event Featured in the 'African Beat'?
'The African Beat' is distributed to over 6,000 subscribers every other Friday. If you would like to submit your event to be included in our calendar, please submit the following event details: what, when, & where, and provide a link to where readers can go for more information. Submission deadline for the next edition is Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at 5:00pm (Send all materials, along with any questions, to oaa@dc.gov).
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