OAA FrontPage:
3rd Annual DC Africa Festival on July 21! Mark Your Calendars NOW!
World Refugee Day Event
Join the Ethiopian Community Development Council and the Office on African Affairs in celebrating World Refugee day at the ECDC "African Journey" event Monday, June 18 2012 from 6-9 pm at the Ethiopic Restaurant located at 401 H Street NE, Washington DC 20002.
What's New With Your Mayor?
Gray Administration Recognized for Work Addressing
Chronic Unemployment of District Residents
From the US
Builders Review: E Construction Group Inc. (ECG) is a construction company
with strong beliefs. Robert Ehardt, President and Sharon Singh, CEO of ECG,
founded the Virginia-based company in 2010 and relocated ECG to the District of
Columbia. Since its relocation, ECG has become a Washington, D.C., Certified
Business Enterprise (CBE), which has opened a number of possible opportunities.
D.C.’s CBE program ensures that the city spends its tax revenues first on
businesses based in D.C. that support and contribute to job creation and the
city’s tax base, resulting in a stronger local economy.
Mayor Gray Expresses Disappointment at Federal Government's Decision to Implement Controversial Immigration Program
Mayor Vincent C. Gray today expressed disappointment at the news that federal authorities intend to activate the controversial “Secure Communities” deportation program in the District Tuesday, June 5th. Last fall, the Mayor signed an executive order clarifying that the District’s public-safety officials will not inquire into the immigration status of individuals or transmit information about immigration status to federal agencies except when that status pertains directly to a criminal investigation.
Community Spotlight
We chose to focus our community spotlight on the four African Community-Based Organization leaders who presented on behalf of their non-profit organizations at our Africa Day Commemoration Event - Africans in DC and Access to Health Care. Learn about their organizations and what they are doing to improve access and well-being for Africans in DC.
Miniabiyi Ford
As Executive Director of the Mignon Inniss Ford Foundation (MIFF), Miniabiyi works to gain financial and material support for the Mignon Lorraine Inniss Ford Memorial Kindergarten and Elementary Public School in Ethiopia, and the establishment of the Arnold J. Ford Center for the African Diaspora.
Click here to learn more about MIFF.
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Sharon Asonganyi
Founder and Director of the Threads of Our Fabric Project & Co-Chair of the Commission on African Affairs' Health and Human Services Committee, Sharon works to provide awareness of the accomplishments of African women and girls who have emigrated from Africa, as well as provide a space for discussion about migration and issues that emerge as a result of the cultural shift.
Click here to learn more about Threads of Our Fabric.
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Ify Nwabukwu
Ify is the Executive Director of the African Women's Cancer Awareness Association (AWCAA), and the Co-Chair of the Commission on African Affairs' Health and Human Services Committee. As the Executive Director of the AWCAA, Ify works to eliminate disparities in awareness, prevention, and treatment of cancer for Africans.
To learn more, click here.
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Emeobong "Eme" Martin
Eme is the Project Coordinator in the center on Health Disparities, under Maryland Public Health. She works Africans to become empowered through improved treatment of Diabetes, Hepatitis B, and HIV/AIDs (through her BEAT-IT) project.
To learn more, click here.
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Newsworthy
Remarks at U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission "A Rising Partnership"
"The United States approaches this partnership from the fundamental premise that Nigeria is one of the most strategically important nations in sub-Saharan Africa. One out of every four Africans is Nigerian. Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer, home to its largest Muslim population, and its largest contributor of peacekeepers. Nigeria is also our largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, with $35 billion in annual trade between our countries. A leader in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigeria has led peacemaking efforts from Liberia to Cote d’Ivoire to Guinea-Bissau. On the UN Security Council, Nigeria has lent its voice to causes of conscience in Libya, Syria, and around the world..."
Ashanti people From Ghana Install Their New York Chief
Nana Acheampong-Tieku of the Bronx, New York, was crowned the regional chief of the Ashanti people from Ghana in West Africa; the inauguration was a part of a quadrennial, two-day ceremony in the Bronx that is a high point in the Ashanti diaspora's calendar, serving to strengthen traditions and community ties in New York. "This is gorgeous, this makes me happy," said Kojo Ampah Sahara, a community leader who helped to organize the event. "This is who we are."
Africa: Continent Lures its Diaspora For Development Projects
Developers are planning to launch a fund to draw from the financial resources of its citizens based in the Diaspora; these funds will then be used for development projects on the continent of Africa. The proposed African Diaspora Development Fund and Remittances will be unveiled at the Global African Diaspora Summit, hosted by the African Union (AU) Commission in collaboration with the South African government in Johannesburg, this past May from the 23rd-25th.
National Museum of African Art Presents “African Cosmos: Stellar Arts"
“African Cosmos: Stellar Arts” will be on view at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art from June 20 through Dec. 9. This is the first major exhibition exploring the historical legacy of African cultural astronomy and its intersection with traditional and contemporary African arts.
Business Square
Startup
Weekend DC - GOV 2.0 | June 2012
Startup
Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs
who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful
ventures. It is the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs. All Startup
Weekend events follow the same basic model: anyone is welcome to pitch their
startup idea and receive feedback from their peers. Teams organically
form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote) and then it’s a 54
hour frenzy of business
model creation, coding, designing, and market validation. The
weekends culminate with presentations in
front of local entrepreneurial leaders with another opportunity for critical
feedback. Whether entrepreneurs found companies, find a cofounder, meet someone
new, or learn a skill far outside their usual 9-to-5, everyone is guaranteed to
leave the event better prepared to navigate the chaotic but fun world of
startups.
Mission: Small Business℠ Learn More
Demonstrating their ongoing commitment to small businesses, Chase and LivingSocial are sponsoring "Mission: Small Business℠" a grant program awarding up to $3 million to small business owners nationwide. The Program, which will provide up to 12 individual grants of $250,000 was developed to provide small businesses with resources needed to make a positive impact on their business.
Nonprofit Niche
Washington Area Women's Foundation and capital One invite you to join a community that's standing together to ensure that economically vulnerable women and girls in the Washington region have the resources they need to thrive. Save the date - Wednesday, October 24th from Noon-2pm at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, found at 1000 H Street, NW.
For more information, please click here.
12th Annual Public Private Partnership Conference
Join the Mayor’s Office of Partnerships and Grant Services’ (OPGS) and the Center for Nonprofit Advancement for the 12th Annual Public Private Partnership Conference. This comprehensive day of learning and networking will connect you with leaders from across the region and resources to meet the global age
Department of Health and Human Services Grants
Opportunity 1:
Eligibility: City or township governments, county
governments, nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations and DC
government agencies.
Funding Opportunity: funds to
improve the quality of services provided to refugees and support the long-term
integration of refugees in the United States.
Funds: $2,000,000 is available for 8 awards
up to $300,000
Opportunity 2:
Funding Opportunity: funds for to support projects that
will demonstrate: The effectiveness of integrated programs of intensive
Family-finding activities and Family Group Decision-making meetings in
supporting connections with family members for the target population of
children/youth; and how family members will be engaged in building their capacity
to meet the needs of children/youth in their care.
Funds: $2,340,006 is available for 5 awards
up to $500,000 and a match is required
Opportunity 3:
Eligibility: City or township governments, county
governments, nonprofit organizations, private institutions of higher education,
community-based organizations and DC government agencies.
Funding Opportunity: funds to support programs that will
improve the social and emotional well-being of targeted children and youth in
child welfare systems that have mental and behavioral health needs
Funds: $5,120,000 is available for 8 awards
up to $640,000
Airways Education Foundation Grant
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations
Funding Opportunity: funds to support educational programs
that focus on learning and academic achievement for economically disadvantaged
or developmentally disabled children and programs that increase student
interest and academic achievement in science, technology, engineering, and math
(STEM).
Funds: Awards available up to $10,000
Contact: US Airways Education Foundation
Deadline: 7/1/2012
Sign up for the Office of Partnerships and Grants Services "Funding Alerts"
The Office of Partnerships and Grants Services (OPGS) works to enhance the capacity of District government agencies, community and faith-based organizations, and nonprofits to identify, apply, and secure resources that advance the Mayor's top public policy priorities.
To read the newest funding alert, please click here. We encourage you to sign up to receive the funding alerts directly to your e-mail, by following the link below.
Rolling in Resources
Breast and Cervical Cancer Focus Groups
Ezinne Ndukwe, a
student at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, is conducting
a study in the District this summer to evaluate the level of education and
awareness of breast and cervical cancer among African immigrants living in the
United States.
Click here to send an e-mail to Ezinne for more
information, or to show your interest in participating in her study.
Behavioral Health Community Conference
The D.C. Behavioral
Health Association invites you to join us for our first annual Behavioral
Health Community Conference. Participants can choose from one of four
tracks for the day’s in-depth sessions: health homes & integration,
measuring fidelity in permanent supportive housing, Medicaid documentation, and
clinical supervision skills.The conference will take place on Tuesday, June
5, 2012, from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm at Trinity Washington University
Family & Community Health Expo
June Fair 2012 will
feature: FREE live entertainment, health screenings, face painting, mobile
units, children’s activities, yoga, jazzercise, zumba demonstrations, and
community resources. The HSC Pediatric Center invites health and community
organizations interested in exhibiting. The Fair will take place on Saturday,
June 9th, 10 am - 3 pm The HSC Pediatric Center 1731 Bunker Hill Road
NE
DC Health Professional Loan Repayment Program
- New Application Cycle
The DC HPLRP will be
accepting applications starting Friday, June 1, 2012, for the final round of
FY12 awards. Applications must be submitted and complete by Saturday, June 30,
2012. DOH is increasing the HPLRP loan repayment amounts for FY12 to reflect
inflationary increases.
Youth ArtBeat Summer Camp
AIRfound.org is
providing an opportunity for rising 7th to 10th graders to join an amazing week
long camp for free! They are offering two one-week sessions of a summer arts
program. The sessions run from June 18-22, and June 25-29. To find out more
about the program, click here.
If you would like to
sign up, click here.
Women's Foundation 2012 Leadership Luncheon
Washington Area Women's Foundation and Capital One invite you to join a community that's standing together to ensure that economically vulnerable women and girls in the Washington region have the resources they need to thrive. Save the date - Wednesday, October 24th from 12-2pm at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, found at 1000 H Street, NW.
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