MOAA receives the 2018 Hepatitis Champion Award
During the Champions Appreciation Dinner organized by Hepatitis B Initiative of Washington DC on Sunday, April 18, 2018, the Mayor’s Office on
African Affairs was awarded the
“2018 Hepatitis Champion Award” in recognition of outstanding and service to
the community.
The purpose of the event was to provide a networking platform for all HBI-DC stakeholders and also show appreciation to partners who have funded and positively impacted HBI's program activities in the District of Columbia.
Event's photos can be found here
African Community Grant - Success Story:
Washington English Center (WEC)
Washington English Center (WEC) is a community-based program that offers English and literacy
training to low-income immigrants in the greater Washington area with a mission
to provide excellent and affordable English classes with complimentary
workforce programs to adult immigrants using volunteer teachers. To further
support their programs, in 2018, the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs awarded ten
thousand dollars ($ 10,000.00) to support DC Immigrant African residents
enhance their English language proficiency. The stories below highlights the
impact the program is having on DC Immigrant African resident.
Student Story- of Abdalla, Nationality: Sudanese , Living in DC Ward: 6
“I came from Sudan because I’m a refugee. I had problems
with the government in Sudan. Washington English Center is open for everybody.
It is not very expensive. It’s easy to come here to get your books. This school
is better. I had a school a long time ago, but I didn’t get help like at this
center. English is important for me because this gives me a better job. Maybe
one day I’ll write a book about my home.”
Student Story- of Thierno, Nationality: Senegalese, living in DC Ward: 4
Thierno
came to the US from Senegal with dreams of continuing his education. As a
native French speaker, he searched for classes to improve his English, but
could not afford any of the programs he found in DC. He finally landed at WEC.
He tells us, “More than simply giving quality English classes at a low price,
[WEC] also helped me find and apply for a job with the Washington Nationals
baseball team, where I am working now (I greet and seat guests and respond to
their questions). I really like what I am doing, it's a fun job. WEC gave me
free career coaching, which helped me update my resume and prepare for my interview.
Now I can say because of
WEC, my dream is becoming reality.” Thierno is currently enrolled at the
University of the District of Columbia.
Learn more
Mayor Bowser Kicks Off #EarthWeekDC
with One of the Largest Municipal Solar Projects in the Country at HD Woodson
High School
On Tuesday, April 17, 2018, Mayor Muriel
Bowser kicked off #EarthWeekDC with a ribbon cutting at HD Woodson High School
in Ward 7 to celebrate the launch of one of the largest municipal on-site solar
projects in the country. HD Woodson is one of roughly 50 District government
facilities with a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. With a combined 670 kilowatt
(kW) solar roof and parking lot installation, the solar PV system at HD Woodson
is the most powerful solar power generating system in the District.
“My Administration
has vowed to uphold the goals of the Paris Climate Accord and power District
government facilities with 100% renewable energy.” said Mayor Bowser. “The HD
Woodson solar installation is a tremendous example of how we are not only
living up to our commitment, but also taking monumental steps toward becoming
the sustainable capital of the world.”
Learn more
Mayor Bowser Honors Six DC Sustainability Leaders at the 2018 District of Columbia Sustainability Awards
On Wednesday, April 18,2018, Mayor Muriel Bowser presented the 2018 District Sustainability Awards to recognize outstanding sustainability achievement and leadership in areas such as energy and water conservation, renewable energy production, green building, access to healthy food, and community engagement. Mayor Bowser and Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) Director Tommy Wells presented the awards at a ceremony Eastern Market North Hall in Southeast DC.
Since taking office, the Bowser Administration has made significant progress in working to meet the District's sustainability goals. In addition to Washington, DC being named the first LEED Platinum City in the world in 2017 by the U.S. Green Building Council, Mayor Bowser also released the fifth annual Sustainable DC progress report, which highlighted achievements in the implementation of the District’s sustainability plan. “With monumental investments in environmental stewardship, the District is taking significant strides toward becoming the sustainability capital of the world,” said Mayor Bowser. “Tonight’s honorees have been instrumental to our success in making the District a greener, healthier, more livable city.”
Learn more
Mayor Bowser Announces $2 Million Fund to Help Non-Profit Developers Finance Affordable Housing
On Wednesday, April 2018, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a new $2 million fund to help non-profit developers secure capital for predevelopment soft costs – a common obstacle when financing affordable housing projects. Through the fund, which is named after the late Oramenta Newsome, developers will be able to receive loans of up to $100,000 per project. The Mayor announced the fund at a memorial service for Newsome at THEARC.
“Oramenta made it her mission to serve the vulnerable, better neighborhoods across the District, and look out for longtime Washingtonians – in many ways, she wrote the book on DC values,” said Mayor Bowser. “This fund honors Oramenta’s legacy by supporting our nonprofit partners who are continuing her work to bring more affordable housing to District residents.”
Learn more
Take the Citywide Cleanup Pledge
This Earth Day weekend, the Bowser Administration calls on DC residents to help keep our city clean. On April 21, join us in taking five minutes to clean up outside your home, 30 minutes along your block, or team up with others for a full neighborhood scrub!
Residents can also join larger cleanup events hosted by the Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services, ServeDC, and the Anacostia Watershed Society.
Take the Clean City Pledge Here and tell us how you plan to show your DC love on April 21.
Safer,
Stronger DC
Recently, the Bowser Administration launched SaferStronger.dc.gov, a website where residents can learn about the programs, resources, and initiatives that are helping us build a safer, stronger DC.
The website has information about:
- the Safer Stronger DC comprehensive, citywide public safety agenda;
- the ongoing implementation of the NEAR Act;
- public safety statistics;
- upcoming public safety events; and
- other helpful resources to inform and educate the public.
Learn more
Pledge to #SaveDCTAGSaveDCTAG
MOAA calls on its
community members to support the Mayor's fight to save the DC Tuition
Assistance Grant program (DCTAG), a program that has helped 26,000 students
attend and get through college. Today, President Trump released a budget
proposal for 2019 that completely eliminates DCTAG. This is grave news for DC.
It means that a college education for thousands of DC students is at risk.
Congress can and should reject this proposal and fully fund DCTAG for 2019 and
beyond.
Please help us save DCTAG by signing the #SaveDCTAG petition Here.
Bowser Administration Extends Immigrant Justice Legal Services Grants to Ten Organizations
On Tuesday, March 21, 2017, in participating in the US Conference of Mayors' Cities Day of Immigration Action, Mayor Bowser announced that her Administration will extend Immigrant Justice Legal Services (IJLS) grant funding to ten organizations in Washington, DC. In January, Mayor Bowser announced that the DC Government would provide up to $500,000 to community-based organizations, private organizations, associations, and law firms that do legal work for immigrants in Washington, DC.
“DC Values did not change on Election Day. The Immigrant Justice Legal Services grant program is one way that my Administration can help support DC’s immigrant community,” said Mayor Bowser. “The District is safer and stronger when residents know and understand their rights, and these ten organizations will help spread the message that our city has their back.” After a thorough review of all project proposals, the Bowser Administration will extend funding to the following organizations:
Learn more
EDGIC Art Division - Fikru Gebre mariam
The artistic prowess of Fikru Gebre Mariam from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia takes you into a world of cultural influences that light up your body with the veracity of truth held within the nature of humanity. Fikru was inspired to pursue his artistic career after winning an award at age 13 at the International Children’s Painting exhibition in Beijing. This led to formal studies at the Addis Ababa School of Fine Arts.
His curious nature to explore opened his life to experiencing realities in Paris to USA, however his deep cultural roots guided him home to Addis Ababa where the University of Fikru Gebre Mariam schooled him in the discipline of OWNing the inner wealth of his heritage. The graphic theme of Fikru Gebre Mariam art, which he has totally embraced, is a genre of Contemporary Ethiopian painting representing a motif of Ethiopian women engaged in daily tasks. The sensitivity of his nature allows him to engage with the energies of any subject at hand as his paintbrushes engage with his canvas to portray the powerful magic that his land represents.
Learn more
CASEC Information Exchange: Bridging the Cancer Care Gap
Please join MOAA and the CASEC Information
Exchange organized by the Patcha Foundation. The conference is intended to be a forum of discussions and
collaboration to improve Cancer Awareness, Screening/prevention, early
detection and Care for low income countries and immigrant communities in the
diaspora. This year for the first
time we are bringing the conference to Washington D.C.'s Ward 8, where
residents face deep-rooted health/cancer disparities. For the first time also a panel on Men's Health and impact of cancer will be included. Please click here for
more information & registration.
When: Saturday, April 21, 2018 | 8 am - 4 pm
Where: RISE Demonstration Center | 2730
Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE Washington, DC 20032
Learn more
Washington English Center's Spring Community Services and Health Fairs
On Thursday, May 24, 2018, the Washington English Center will; be host the Community Services and Health Fairs to connect adult immigrant students with organizations in the community that provide
services of interest to our student body.
Washington English Center hosts Community Services and Health Fairs every term during regular
class hours so that it is easy for students to attend and learn about these
services. WEC typically have about 150 students in attendance at each event.
About 60% are from Spanish-speaking countries, and the other 40% are from all
over the world.
When: Thursday, May 24, 2018 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: 2200 California St NW | Washington, DC | 20008
RSVP here
Want Your Event Featured in the African Beat?
'The African Beat' is distributed to over 8,000 subscribers every other Friday. If you would like your event to be featured in our newsletter, 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, May 2, 2018 by 5:00 pm. Send all materials, along with any questions, to oaa@dc.gov.
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