OAA News Events, and Announcements

OAA logo

Mayor's Office

on African Affairs (OAA)        


News, Events, and Announcements

 
June 1, 2012

2000 14th Street NW,

Suite 400 North
Washington, D.C., 20009
202.727.5634
fbtw

Mission:

The mission of the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs (OAA) is to ensure that the full range of health, education, employment, social services, safety, business and economic development information, services and opportunities are accessible to the District’s African immigrant communities. 
By serving as the liaison between the District’s African immigrant communities, District government agencies and the Mayor, OAA aims to:  Improve the quality of life of the District’s diverse African born constituencies and their children; Increase civic and public engagement in the District’s African immigrant communities; and Support community development.

In This Issue:

  • OAA Frontpage
  • What's New with Your Mayor?
  • Community Spotlight
  • Newsworthy
  • Business Square
  • Get Hired
  • Non-Profit Niche
  • Rolling in Resources
  • Agency Profile
  • You Should Go!!!

Agency Profile:

The Office of Police Complaints (OPC) is a District of Columbia government agency that receives, investigates, and resolves police misconduct complaints filed by the public against Metropolitan Police Department and D.C. Housing Authority’s Office of Public Safety officers.  OPC has the authority to investigative complaints alleging. And part of OPC’s mission is to increase public awareness of the agency, which includes conducting outreach presentations for schools, community groups, government agencies, neighborhood associations and civic organizations. 
                        Learn more


You should go!

2012 DC Caribbean Filmfest
In recognition of the Caribbean Heritage Month in June, Caribbean Association of World Bank and IMF Staff (CAWI), Caribbean Professional Network (CPN), Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), TransAfrica, and AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center are proud to present the DC Caribbean Filmfest.
When: June 1-4th, 2012
Where: AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
                          Learn More

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
                                                                    Register here

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, 2012, from 10 am - 3 pm  The HSC Pediatric Center 1731 Bunker Hill Road NE 
                                                               Learn more

Ethio Mixer USA
Join members of the Ethiopian Community in the District at the Ethio Mixer, hosted by Dr. Yohannis Zeleke and Matt Andrea, and featurihng Beement Girma Tafesse.
When: June 14, 2012
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - 1200 U Street NW, Washington DC 20009

DC Government to Hold 5th Annual “Truck Touch” 
Washington, DC – The DC Department of Public Works invites the public to attend a free, citywide “Truck Touch” A host of DC government agencieswill present and demonstrate nearly 30 vehicles used to clean and repair streets, change traffic lights, collect refuse, clear snow, provide emergency services, administer mobile health care, and more.  
WHEN:  June 16, 2012
Time:  9:00 am-2:00 pm
WHERE: RFK Stadium, Lot 7 2400 East Capitol Street, NE
                           Learn more
 
South Africa-Washington International Program  (SAWIP)
As Part of the Embassy of South Africa’s “South Africa 2012” The South Africa-Washington International program (SAWIP) &The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Present South Africa: The Future Ahead.                    
When: June 26, 2012
Time: 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Where:
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest  Washington, DC 20004
                           Learn more


Get Hired!


Community of Hope DC

Specialty Care Coordinator (Full-Time),the position provides navigation between CoH staff and specialty care providers throughout the region. It requires effective communication with providers, public and private insurance carriers, community organizations, and patients. It also requires knowledge of the environment and system through which a patient must move in order to obtain care.
                                                                    Learn more


Ethiopian Community Center Summer Camp Counselor Job Opening

The Center is now hiring camp counselors and recruiting summer camp volunteers! If you are looking for summer employment or a volunteer site, enjoy working with children, and are energetic and reliable, consider working with the ECC from June 25th until August 3rd. Interested applicants should submit their resume and cover letter via e-mail to eth@prodigy.net. Feel free to e-mail general summer job and volunteer inquires as well.  

Equal Rights Center (ERC) Testers
The ERC is recruiting Testers, “individuals who pose as perspective renters, home buyers, job applicants, loan applicants and more. Testers take on various roles for the purpose of gathering information to ensure that individuals or companies are complying with the law and to identify unlawful discrimination.” The ERC is seeking native Amharic speakers to work as Testers.
                                                                   Learn more
Nonprofit Careers
Casey Trees, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring, enhancing and protecting the tree canopy of Washington, D.C., seeks a Digital / Social Media Associate to help build a community of supporters and donors.
                                                                   Learn more

Nonprofit Careers
The Black Women’s Health Imperative (Imperative) seeks an experienced Health Program Associate to assist in the development and coordination.
                                                                         Learn more

International Jobs
Naombazaki.com is a blog that provides information on a range of international jobs, spanning a variety of fields. If you are interested, please click the link below to see the listings.

                        Learn more

OAA FrontPage:

3rd Annual DC Africa Festival on July 21! Mark Your Calendars NOW!

Africa Festival
=============

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. 
For more information, click here.
refugee
=============
=============

What's New With Your Mayor?

=============

šGray 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.

                                                  Click here to read more.
=============

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.
                                                  Click here to read more.
=============

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.
=============
min

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.
=============
Sharon

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.
=============
Ify

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.
=============
Eme

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.
=============

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..."

                                            Click here to read more

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."

                                             Click here to read more

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.

                                              Click here to read more

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. 
                                               Click here to read more

=============

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.
                                                              Register here 
=============

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.
                                                               Register here

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 
                                                               Register here

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
                
                                                      Learn more here.

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

                                                     Learn more here.

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

                                                       Learn more here.

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
                                                               Register here
 

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 
                                                               Learn more
 

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. 
                                                                Learn more

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

women's
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.