September is African Heritage Month!
MOAA Joins KanKouran To Kick Off
African Heritage Month In September
For over 30 years Assane Konte, co-founder and Artistic Director of KanKouran West African Dance Company, has staged authentic glimpses of the peoples and cultures of Africa.
MOAA will join KanKouran and hundreds of participants from across the country to partake in three days of intense workshops in traditional African dance and drum, taught by master dancers and drummers from Mali, Senegal, Liberia, the Congo, and Guinea.
When: Friday, September 2, 2016 to Sunday, September 4, 2016
Where: Dance Exchange | 7117 Maple Avenue | Takoma Park, MD | 20912
Learn more
The Congressional African Staff Association and MOAA will Host Diaspora in Dialogue
You Are Cordially Invited to Celebrate:
African Heritage Month Panel Discussion
Diaspora in Dialogue: Demographics, Policy and ConneXions
African born residents are the fastest growing immigrant group in the U.S. and number over 1.6 million, according the latest Census report. While African immigrants contribute significantly to the socio-economic and cultural vitality of the United States, little data is available and research targeting the African community is lacking. Recently, the D.C. Mayor’s Office on African Affairs and George Mason University Center for Immigrant Research launched a joint demographic research survey to capture data from the African community which will provide much needed data to inform policy discussion and direction for various stakeholders.
In commemoration of African Heritage Month (September), the Congressional African Staff Association and the DC Mayor’s Office of African Affairs will convene a discussion themed Diaspora in Dialogue: Demographics, Policy and ConneXions, to provide an overview of research data findings pertaining to the African community, suggest policy implications, and make recommendations.
PROGRAM:
Introductory Remarks:
Diana Konaté | President, Congressional African Staff Association
Mamadou Samba | Executive Director, D.C. Mayor’s Office on African Affairs
Demographic Overview:
Justin Lowry, PhD | Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Institute for Immigration Research, George Mason University
Monica Gomez Isaac | Executive Director, Institute for Immigration Research, George Mason University
Panel Discussion: Diaspora in Dialogue: Demographics, Policy and ConneXions
James Witte, PhD | Director, Institute for Immigration Research, George Mason University
Lydia Nylander | Commissioner, D.C. Commission on Office on African Affairs
More speakers to be confirmed.
Moderator:
Msia Clark, PhD | Assistant Professor of African Studies at Howard University
When: Friday, September 9, 2016 | 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Where: Capitol Visitor Center, Congressional Meeting Room South
Space is limited; please arrive at least 30 minutes before start of program
10th Year Anniversary Celebration of the Mayor's Office on African Affairs
The Mayor’s Office on African Affairs (MOAA) invites you to celebrate a decade of Service to the African Community at MOAA’s 10th Year Anniversary Soirée on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at the Lincoln Theatre from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Our 10th Year Anniversary Soiree echoes the goals of MOAA’s Multicultural Awareness and Community Building Program- celebrating the varied identities of African people, as well as showcasing the cultural contributions of Africans to the rich multiculturalism of the larger DC community. The event is free and open to the public.
Mayor Muriel Bowser deliver remarks and recognize African community members during the Mayor's Awards ceremony.
Volunteers Needed!
The Mayor’s Office on African Affairs (MOAA) is looking for 12 to 15 committed and
enthusiastic volunteers for its 10th Year Anniversary Soirée. Volunteers should plan on being available for a pre-event
orientation. Specific details will follow upon volunteer selection.
We are
looking for dynamic volunteers to provide support in crowd facilitation,
ushering, logistics, registration and other event-related tasks.
If you are
interested in supporting MOAA and serving the African community at this event,
please email Endrias H. Amanuel at endrias.amanuel@dc.gov or call
(202).727.2809.
Mayor Bowser Releases 18 Months Report
Learn more.
An Update on DC Statehood
Mayor Bowser and the New Columbia Statehood Commission have been promoting #DCStatehood. In order to become the 51st state, the Commission needs your help. Visit statehood.dc.gov for ways to get involved. You can also follow the New Columbia Statehood Commission on Twitter at @dcstatehood51 for updates.
Learn more
Jollof Rice: West Africans Dish It Up With
A Hefty Serving Of Smack Talk
A holiday celebrating a dish beloved of many West Africans, World Jollof Day, was marked last week. Jollof is a celebration dish. You eat it at parties, naming ceremonies, weddings, funerals — you name it, you will see the familiar and comforting pot of steaming jollof rice. But jollof is also war – of the deliciously friendly variety.
Jollof rice is the celebration dish of West Africa. At its basic, it includes rice, tomatoes, onions and chili peppers. But there are a zillion variations, depending on your country of origin, and the friendly rivalry can get intense over which version reigns supreme.
Learn more
Mark Zuckerberg's Visit Gives Nigerian Startups Much-Needed Boost
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's visit to Nigeria, his first to sub-Saharan Africa, has put the country's tech businesses firmly in the world's spotlight.
Zuckerberg staged a surprise visit to the country's economic capital Lagos on Tuesday and his first stop was a local innovation center and tech hub in Yaba, an area on the mainland of Lagos known as Nigeria's Silicon Valley.
Learn more
Looking To Africa For The Next Netflix
In January, Netflix expanded to 190 countries, to accommodate the booming, global video-on-demand market. It’s estimated to bring in some $51.1 billion a year in 2020, according to research firm Digital TV Research, up from $4.2 billion in 2010. But one growing segment has slipped under the radar: films catering to Africans and the diaspora, from African expatriates in Europe to Black Americans eager to see similar faces on-screen.
Now the competition is heating up to serve this audience. The Lagos, Nigeria–based iRoko, for instance, has already been hailed as the “Netflix of Africa.” In the past year, at least two similar companies have launched: Menlo Park, California–based Afrostream and Washington, D.C.–based kweliTV. If that’s not evidence enough of a trend in the making, investors are also getting in on the act. Afrostream has received backing from Y Combinator and music manager/tech investor Troy Carter, and iRoko has secured more than $25 million in investment.
Learn more
And The No. 1 Scrabble Nation In The World Is ...
Nigeria is the English-speaking world's Scrabble superpower. Africa's most populous nation is home not only to the global Scrabble champion, but team Nigeria ranks as the world's top Scrabble playing nation — ahead of the U.S. in second place.
The Scrabble world champion is Wellington Jighere. He's 33, has a soft voice, a slow smile and a penchant for fedoras, earning him the nickname "the Cat in the Hat." Jighere acknowledges that he's taciturn by nature, but also has an explosive, infectious laugh, though he considers Scrabble serious business.
"You can't afford to waste too much energy doing unnecessary chatter," he says. "During a tournament, I see it as business time. And that is no time to be joking around." Jighere plays chess to relax, "and for fun," he says.
Learn more
Fairtrade Wants To Put Its Stamp on Conflict-Free Gold
Tiny specks of gold help provide an income for Dan Omondi
Odida’s community in Kenya, where people make a living mining by hand the seams
of gold around Lake Victoria. Millions of men and women in Africa mine gold
informally at best, illegally at worst, and many are indebted to middlemen who
sell gold cheap — often at prices drastically below the global price. Artisanal
and small-scale mining is the second biggest employer in Africa after
agriculture and a traditional activity for many communities, but one that’s
often associated with informality and illegality.
You’re more likely to have heard of Fairtrade associated
with coffee, tea and chocolate than with gold. More than 1.65 million farmers
and workers in 74 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade
system. They produce body oils and housewares, citrus and exercise balls. But
gold, silver and platinum can also be Fairtrade certified.
Learn
more.
The Business Planning Process
The
District of Columbia Small Business Development Center is hosting workshop
training on the Business planning Process. This
seminar provides an overview of the thought process that goes into the
development of a business plan and a discussion of the reasons why. Business planning is
usually conducted when starting a new organization or a new major venture, for
example, new product, service or program. Essentially, a business plan is a
combination of a marketing plan, strategic plan, operational/management plan
and a financial plan. Far more important than the plan document, is the
planning process itself.
When: Saturday, September 03, 2016 | 2:00 pm - 4:00
pm
Where: Mt.
Pleasent Neighborhood Library | 3160 16th St. NW | Washington, D.C. | 20010
Learn more
SBRC
One-On-One Session: Basic Steps to Obtaining a Business License
The
DCRA Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) staff is providing one-on-one
assistance with navigating through the regulatory process. During this session,
participants will gain in-depth knowledge of registering with corporations
(i.e. Limited Liability Company, Corporations, Non-Profit, etc.) and with the
basic steps of obtaining a business license. Additionally, attendees will
receive assistance with the zoning application process (i.e. Certificate of
Occupancy and or Home Occupancy Permit).This opportunity is geared towards
future and current business owners looking to conduct business in the District
of Columbia.
When: Saturday, September 6, 2016 |11:00 am -
11:30 am
Where: 1100 4th Street,
SW | E-268 | Washington, DC | 20024
Learn more
SCORE Small Business Loans Workshop
Score DC is
organizing a workshop for anyone who wants to learn about Small business loans.
This one-hour workshop
reviews the SBA business loan guaranty programs with emphasis on Express Loans
which are in the range of $5,000 to $350,000. The Community Express loan
program combines financial and technical assistance to enable small and
home-based business owners access to business loans instead of consumer loans.
When: Wednesday, September 7, 2016 | 9:30 am - 10:30 pm
Where: SCORE DC | 409 3rd Street, SW | Suite 100A | Washington,
DC | 20024
Learn more
Connect.DC Computer Training
The OSSE's Division of
Early Learning is partnering with Connect.DC to bring computer training to DC’s
child development provider community. The training is offered in a Mobile Tech
Lab powered by Connect.DC. The Mobile Tech Lab is a 48-foot converted bookmobile
equipped with computers and Wi-Fi that brings the power of technology to
neighborhoods across the District. Training is customized for each participant, and
during the training sessions, participants will learn how to log on to a
computer, browse the internet, set up an email account, and/or connect with
websites that provide downloadable resources for their business that will help
them save time, reduce costs, and improve program quality.
When: Saturday, September 10, 2016 |10
am-11:30 am |12:00 pm -1:30 pm
Where: National Children’s
Center | 3400 MLK Ave. SE | Washington, DC | 20032
Learn more
Single Family Home Rehab Program
Orientation
The DC Department of Housing and
Community Development (DHCD) provides grants and loans, not to exceed a total
of $75,000, to help DC homeowners finance home repairs that will : Correct building code violations, remove barriers to accessibility for persons
with physical impairments and remove threats to health and safety in their
homes including roof repairs and lead-based paint hazards.
When: Tuesday, September 13,
2016 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Where: Housing Counseling Services, Inc. | 2410 17th
St NW | Suite 100 (In Adams Alley between Euclid and Kalorama) | Washington, DC
| 20009
Learn more
Diverse
City Fund Fall 2016 Grant
Diverse City Fund is holding two information
sessions about its fall 2016 grant round, one at the Shaw Neighborhood Library
and one at the Francis Gregory Neighborhood Library. Members of the
Board of Instigators and Grantmaking Teams will be available to discuss the
work Diverse City Fund does and answer
any questions they may have.
When: Wednesday,
September 07, 2016 | 7: 00 pm
Where: 733
Euclid St. NW | c/o ECAC | Washington, DC | 20001
Learn more
Introduction to Proposal Writing
The Foundation
Center is offering class on the Introduction to Proposal Writing. This course
will provide participants with an overview of how to write a standard
project proposal to a foundation. It will include: The basic elements of
a proposal, the “do’s” and “don’ts” of writing and submitting a proposal and how
to follow up whether the answer is yes or no. An optional 30 minute exercise will be provided after class for
developing a proposal outline.
When: Wednesday,
September 07, 2016 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Where: The Foundation
Center-Washington DC | 1627 K Street NW | Third Floor | Washington, DC | 20006
Learn more
Winning Grant Proposals: How to Make Your Ideas Stick
The Center for Nonprofit Advancement is
organizing courses on how to gain a better
understanding of how to make your grant proposals win by using sticky ideas
that will resonate with grant reviewers. Because the reviewers of grant
proposals have limited time and cognitive energy, it is very important to make
your proposals clear, persuasive, and easy to evaluate. In this course, attendees
will learn the characteristics of sticky ideas; how and why they appeal to
reviewers; and how grant proposal professionals can develop sticky ideas for
their own grant proposals.
When: Tuesday, September 13, 2016 |1:30 pm - 3:30pm
Where: The Nonprofit
Village, 12320 | Parklawn Dr | Rockville, MD | 20852
Learn more
Social Determinants of Health Workshop
The Schar School of Policy and Government prepares
undergraduate and graduate students for leadership roles in public service in
the public, private and nonprofit sectors. The Schar School is one of the
most distinguished and largest schools of its kind. Through research and
education in policy, government, and international affairs, Schar allows Mason
to more effectively serve the region, the Commonwealth, the nation and the
world.
When: Thursday, September 15, 2016 | 11:30am – 4:30pm
Where: Schar School of Policy and Government | George
Mason University | Founders Hall Room 113 | Arlington, Virginia
Learn
more
Global Digital Health Network September Meeting
Join the Global Digital Health Network on September
16 from 9:30 - 11:30 am for our monthly meeting featuring a very hot topic:
Paper to Digital: Opportunities, Challenges and Lessons Learned.
Our featured presenters this month have a wide range
of experience using digital tools to collect different types of data in many
different settings. Join us as they share their stories and offer advice
on how to make the transition of paper to digital data collection, management
and use!
The Global Digital Health Network, formerly the
mHealth Working Group created in 2009 by global health organizations for global
health organizations, is a 2500+ person-strong networking forum for members
from 81 countries to share information, engage with the broader community, and
provide leadership in digital health for global public health. The Network
provides leadership in digital health (mHealth, eHealth, and ICTs) and offers a
collaborative gathering space for members to share perspectives, resources, and
practical guidance related to implementation across a range of technical areas.
When: Friday, September 16, 2016| 9:30 am to
12:00 pm
Where: Jhpiego | 1776 Massachusetts Ave NW Suite 100 |
Room 102 | Washington, DC
Learn
more
The Black Women's Health Imperative Presents: Black
Magic, a 2016 CBC Reception
Join the Black Women’s Health Imperative as we host our
Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference “Black Magic”
Reception. We will be celebrating #BlackGirlMagic by honoring the co-chairs of
the Congressional Caucus on Black Women & Girls — Congresswomen Bonnie
Watson Coleman, Robin Kelly and Yvette Clarke — and highlighting “magical”
Black Women who have raised the bar and inspired the nation this year.MC Lyte,
one of the first female M.C.s, will be the featured entertainment for the
night.
If you want to be among the beauty, resilience, power
and confidence that is Black women, this is the reception for you!
For additional questions, please contact Christy
Gamble at cgamble@bwhi.org
When: Friday, September 16, 2016 | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: The Loft | 600 F - 600 F Street NW | Washington,
DC 20004
Learn
more
Student Organization and
University Fair, EngageGW
Student
organizations are a vibrant part of the George Washington University. Assembled
under the array of a variety of causes and interests, student orgs exist to
provide GW students the opportunity to enrich their co-curricular experience
and by producing a diverse array of student activities that benefit and
enlighten the GW community. With more than 450 registered student
organizations, there are endless opportunities for undergraduate and graduate
students to get involved around common causes, interests, and experiences.
When: Saturday, September
3, 2016 | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Where:
H St NW,
between 21st and 22nd St | Washington, DC | 20372
Learn more
Great Streets Information
Session in Rhode Island Avenue NW Corridor
Greats
Streets is hosting information sessions with their community partners to
inform, educate, and assist small businesses with the Great Streets Small
Business Retail Grant application. The purpose of this grant is to transform
emerging commercial corridors into thriving and inviting neighborhood centers
by investing in existing small businesses, attracting new businesses,
increasing the District’s tax base, and creating new job opportunities for
District residents.
When: Tuesday, September
6, 2016 | 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Where: Washington Area
Community Investment Fund | 2012 Rhode Island Avenue, NE | Washington, DC |
20001
Learn more
The HIVE 2.0: Small Business
Workshop (Ward 8)
The
Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) and its Connect.DC program have
partnered with The HIVE 2.0 to offer small business training on the Mobile Tech
Lab. The training is free.
When: Tuesday, September
6, 2016 | 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Where:
T St SE &
13th St SE | Washington, DC | 20020
Learn more
DC Supply Schedule Workshop
Office
of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) hosts a monthly workshop specifically for
vendors interested in the DC Supply Schedule, a set-aside market for registered
Certified Business Enterprises in the District. At these sessions, vendors are
given an overview of the DC Supply Schedule and its application process.
When: Thursday, September
8, 2016 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where:
441 4th Street,
NW | Washington, DC | 20001
Learn more
ABRA Community Training
Residents
and community organizations are invited to attend ABRA’s new community training
from 6-8 pm on Tuesday, September 13, 2016. The training will cover: District
alcohol laws, Protesting processes, Filing settlement agreements & ABRA
resources and hearing processes. Members of the community that are interested
in attending should RSVP by contacting ABRA Community Resource Officer Sarah
Fashbaugh by Friday, September 9, 2016.
When: Tuesday, September
13, 2016 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Where: 2000 14th Street NW
| Suite 400 South, 4th Floor | Washington, DC | 20009
Learn more
Promoting Youth
Inclusive policies for growth
The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, in
partnership with the Global Youth Innovation Network will host an Issue Forum
entitled Promoting Youth-Inclusive Policies for Growth.
Cabinet ministers from the nations of Mali, Senegal, and the
Gambia will provide an overview of the issue of youth unemployment in the
context of their labor economies, followed by stellar panelists who will
discuss best practices for creating an enabling environment for youth seeking
employment in African nations.
Program will start promptly at 8:00 a.m., and breakfast will
be provided.
When: Thursday,
September 8, 2016 |8:00 am to 11:00 am
Where: Rayburn
House Office Building B369 | Capitol Hill | Washington, DC | 20515
Learn
more
Policy Breakfast with Cathy Cohen, founder of the Black Youth Project
There will be breakfast with Cathy Cohen, former Chair of
the Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago and the
Founder of the Black Youth Project (BYP) and GenForward Survey project. Cathy
will be discussing GenForward, a first of its kind monthly survey recently
launched by BYP at the University of Chicago with the AP-NORC Center for Public
Affairs Research.
The survey will be released on the first week of each month.
The results not only capture views on the presidential race, but how young
Americans see policing, gun violence, terrorism and LGBT issues. For example,
the new polling shows how young African Americans, Asian Americans and Latinos
favor gun control over gun ownership rights, differing from young whites.
When: Tuesday,
September 13, 2016 | 9:00 am to 10:00 am
Where: The Raben
Group - 1341 G Street Northwest 5th floor | Washington, DC |20005
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, September 14, 2016 by 5:00 pm. Send all materials, along with any questions, to oaa@dc.gov.
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