2nd Annual African Community Soccer Game
 Please join the Mayor's Office on African Affairs for the 2nd Annual Washington Community Soccer Game that is being held on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the Columbia Heights Education Campus. In partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Metropolitan Police Department, the event will unite the African Community in an afternoon of soccer, music, food, and presentations to kick off the 2019 African Cup of Nations.
The soccer game kicks off at 2:00 pm
The Youth soccer clinic will be held at 3:30 pm
For reasonable accommodation or additional information please call 202 727 5634 or email aly.kaba@dc.gov
When: Saturday, June 8, 2019 | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: Columbia Heights Education Campus | 3101 16th Street NW | Washington, DC | 20010
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Mayor Bowser Kicks Off DC’s 2020 Census Campaign
 On Thursday, May 16,2019, Mayor Bowser officially kicked off the District’s 2020 Census efforts by presenting a proclamation to honor the selection of her Complete Count Committee.
“Getting an accurate count is critical for DC to get the resources it needs to give everyone living in our city a fair shot,” said Mayor Bowser. “Despite efforts by the federal government seeking to intimidate our most vulnerable communities, the District is committed to counting all of our residents in an easy and secure process. We assure all residents that there is no risk in responding to the questionnaire, and that it is illegal for information to be shared with federal law enforcement.”
Mayor Bowser included $2.5 million in her Fiscal Year 2020 budget proposal to support the District’s Census efforts. The engagement process starts almost one year in advance of Census Day (April 1, 2020) and will continue through early 2020.
For the first time, Census questionnaires can be completed online. Residents will also have the option to provide their information by phone or request a paper questionnaire. A postcard will be sent to each District household in March 2020, with instructions to go online and fill out the questionnaire.
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Council Chairman’s Sweeping Cuts to Affordable Housing Will Harm DC Families
 Today, Mayor Bowser released the following statement about the Council Chairman’s proposal to cut affordable housing investments by $45 million:
“The budget I sent to Council was fair, bold, and made big investments in building and preserving housing for working families and seniors. By cutting these investments by $45 million – including completely eliminating the Housing Preservation Fund and the Workforce Housing Fund – what the Council Chairman has done is cut funding for more than 2,300 affordable homes. Without this funding, more families will be displaced from our city and fewer new homes will be affordable for low - and moderate-income residents.”
Overall, the Council Chairman cut the Mayor’s housing affordability investments by $45 million:
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Decreased the Housing Production Trust Fund ($10 Million), affecting 100 families who would have benefitted from housing that is kept affordable for 40 years.
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Eliminated entirely the Workforce Housing Fund ($20 million), preventing the District from increasing access to housing for teachers, first responders, social workers, hospitality workers, and others who serve the District.
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Eliminated entirely the Housing Preservation Fund ($15 million), putting at risk thousands of residents who are likely to get displaced and lose their affordable housing in DC.
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Mayor Bowser Awards $2.1 Million in Great Streets Small Business Grants to Transform Neighborhood Corridors
 On Monday, May 13,2019, Mayor Muriel Bowser and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Brian Kenner awarded over $2.1 million in Fiscal Year 2019 Great Streets Small Business Grants to 45 local small businesses. The investment continues Mayor Bowser’s effort to support local businesses, create new job opportunities for DC residents, and grow the District’s emerging neighborhoods. The Council has proposed cutting $2.1 million from the Great Streets and Neighborhood Prosperity Fund programs, and, at today’s event, the Mayor highlighted how these programs are a critical tool for attracting and supporting small businesses.
“Small and local businesses are the backbone of our city’s economy – they hire locally, spend locally, and encourage residents and visitors to shop locally,” said Mayor Bowser. “With the Great Streets and Neighborhood Prosperity Fund programs, we’re making it more affordable to open and sustain a small business in our community. These are the types of programs that make our economy more inclusive, help us build thriving retail corridors across our city, and create DC jobs for DC residents – investing in them should be an easy decision.”
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D.C. Chef Kwame Onwuachi Wins 2019 James Beard Award
 Standing at the dais at the James Beard Foundation awards Monday night in Chicago, Kwame Onwuachi accepted the award for Rising Star Chef of the Year by acknowledging his amazing personal journey and the history of African-American cooks at large.
Shortly after winning the first medal of the night, the Kith and Kin chef spoke about how just eight years ago, he was selling candy on a subway in New York to finance a dream of cooking professionally. Five decades earlier, he wouldn’t have been allowed to eat in many restaurants, let alone lead one.
Now he crafts the cutting edge Afro-Caribbean menu at a restaurant inside the posh InterContinental hotel in Southwest D.C.“54 years ago is when the last restaurant was integrated and Jim Crow was lifted, and here I am,” Onwuachi said, “my ancestors’ wildest dreams.”
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Saray Khumalo is the first African woman to conquer Mount Everest
 Once, twice, thrice she failed but for the failure seemed to have been only her booster. She has now made history after conquering the highest mountain above sea level, the famous Mount Everest.
This is the story of South African Saray Khumalo who is officially the first black African woman to make it to the summit of Mount Everest. It took her 27 days to get to the top of Mount Everest.
The government, local media and South Africans on social media are celebrating her feat. “Congratulations to iMbokodo Saray Khumalo for being the first Black African Woman to reach the top of the world by conquering Mount Everest,” the government said on Twitter.
" My dream is to go higher and go further for as long as I breathe. To pave a way for my children and other ordinary people, so we may realise and accept that ordinary people like us can achieve extraordinary heights."
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Zimbabwean scholar named one of the most inspiring women in the world
 A Zimbabwean scholar will be honored with a life-size statue in New York alongside media mogul Oprah Winfrey, Hollywood stars Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, and the popstar Pink for their work championing gender equality.
Tererai Trent is among 10 women who have been named most inspiring women in the world. The list includes conservationist Jane Goodall, activist Janet Mock, chemist Tracy Dyson, author Cheryl Strayed and Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas.
All 10 women will have life-size bronze figures unveiled by StatuesforEquality in the United States on Women's Equality Day on August 26.
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DC Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) | DOES
 The District of Columbia Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) is excited to roll out our new year of programming and opportunities! Infrastructure is one of the fastest growing industries in the country and DCIA is committed to meeting the need for skilled infrastructure professionals in Washington, DC. This upcoming year, DCIA will offer the following Career Pathway training opportunities: Interested in employment in the Infrastructure Industry? Please join us for an upcoming information session(s) to learn more about our course offerings and requirements.
When:Tuesday's | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. & Thursday's | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
Where: DC Infrastructure Academy | 2330 Pomeroy Road SE | Washington, DC | 20020
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English Conversation Class at Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International (TASSC)
 Are you interested in practicing your English language skills? Come to TASSC for its weekly English conversation and grammar class, led by a Master’s level English Teacher. The class is for all levels of English learners.
When: Tuesday, May 28, 2019 | 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Where: TASSC International | 4121 Harewood Road Northeast | Suite B | Washington, DC | 20017
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Know Your Rights Event hosted by Multicultural Community Service
 Multicultural Community Service will hold a Know Your Rights event followed by an intake session with immigration attorneys. All are welcome to attend.
When: Wednesday, June 5, 2019 | 7:00 pm
Where: Josephine Butler Parks Center | 2437 15th St. NW | Washington, DC | 20009
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Office of the State Superintendent of Education Multilingual Learner Conference
 The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is pleased to announce its first Multilingual Learner Conference on Friday, June 7-Saturday, June 8, 2019 in Washington, DC at the Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University. This conference will convene teachers, school leaders and service providers who support preK-12 dual language and/or English language programs, all united as change agents empowering student success through language learning.
When: Friday, June 7 & Saturday, June, 8, 2019 | 8:30 am- 3:30 pm
Where: Gallaudet University Kellogg Conference Center | 800 Florida Ave. NE | Washington, DC | 20002
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Parent Advocacy Group Meeting hosted by Renaissance Center
Special needs parents providing an opportunity for parents of special kids to find acceptance, support, and help as advocate for their children.
When: Saturday, June 15, 2019 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: Lamont Riggs Library | 5401 South Dakota Ave NE | Washington, DC | 20011
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African Diaspora Young Leaders Summit
The African Union Mission to the United States is calling all young African leaders between the ages of 25-35 for their 2nd Annual African Diaspora Young Leaders Summit.
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DPR Summer Camps Registration Now Open!
 Once open for registration, DPR summer camps remain open until full capacity is reached and/or the first day of the summer camp session. Once at capacity, each summer camp offers a waitlist for prospective families who are interested in sites that have high demand.
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DC Health Link Open Enrollment for Small Businesses
 Find the right medical, dental or vision insurance plan for you, or for you and your family.
Open enrollment for Small Businesses(1-50 Employees) continues.
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The Writing Resumes & Job Interview Techniques Course
Join DC Public Library for skill assessments for adults who need a high school diploma (GED or National External Diploma) and tutoring for those with skills at the high school level. Tutoring takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4 to 7 p.m. Assessments take place on Wednesdays only.
Please note: In order to qualify for tutoring, you must take the assessment first.
When: Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays | 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Where: Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Library | 1630 7th St. NW | Washington, D.C | 20001
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This help participants to construct a resume that makes an effective and dynamic first impression. Participants will also gain insight into strategies that today’s interviewers use when making their selection. This course will also assist participants in understanding how to avoid common interview errors, learn how to answer typical interview questions, & discuss how to formulate thoughtful interview questions.
When: Fourth Tuesday of each month from
10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Where: 1015 Half Street SE | 9th floor | Washington, DC | 20003
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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 29, 2019 by 5:00 pm. Send all materials, along with any questions, to oaa@dc.gov.
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