District of Columbia Public Schools English Learners’ Back-To-School Fair!
 The fair targets English Learner students with the goal of connecting them to academic and community resources.
- The event will feature dozens of local organizations that provide a wide range of services including, legal assistance, mental health, adult education, and more.
- There will also be workshops for parents and students that will equip them with tools to succeed in school.
- FREE: Music, games, face painting, and an inflatable castle!
- FREE: Food!
- FREE: Immunizations!
- FREE: Legal consultations!
When: Saturday, August 10, 2019 | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Where: MacFarland Middle School | 4400 Iowa Avenue Northwest | Washington, DC | 20011
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MOAA Resume Bank
 For those interested in the positions below in DC Government Agencies, please send your resume and cover letter detailing what position you are interested in to oaa@dc.gov
Positions: Solar Coordinator, Information Technology Specialist(Web Developer), Supervisory Green Building Developer, Compliance Specialist, Deputy Chief Building Official, Executive Assistant.
Mayor Muriel Bowser's FY2020 Immigrant Justice Legal Services Grant: Request for Applications (RFA)
 The Executive Office of the Mayor (EOM) is soliciting grant applications from qualified private organizations and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) serving District of Columbia residents for its FY 2020 Immigrant Justice Legal Services Grant Program (IJLS). The $2.5 million IJLS grant program will support the provision of legal services to the DC immigrant population, as well as language access services to other grantees to effectuate the legal services provided.
Interested applicants who have questions about the program or application process are encouraged to attend one of the pre-bidders' meetings.
NB: The deadline for the FY 2020 Immigrant Justice Legal Grant is 5:00 pm on Friday, August 16, 2019.
Submission Details: Online submissions only. Please submit your complete application through the following online portal: ZoomGrants
Availability of RFA: Download from MOAA's website (www.oaa.dc.gov) and/or the District's Grant Clearinghouse website.
Mayor Muriel Bowser's National Maternal & Infant Health Summit
 Join Mayor Muriel Bowser at the National Maternal & Infant Health Summit to build on the growing public awareness and interest in this important issue and the District's new approach to ensure the health of women, babies and families.
The summit is an opportunity for elected officials, health officials and DC residents to explore strategies to improve perinatal health and address racial disparities in birth outcomes.
The event will feature panel discussions, a luncheon, and workshops focused on successes from around the country that could serve as models for best practices.
When: Tuesday, September 10, 2019 | 9:00 am
Where: Walter E. Washington Convention Center | 801 Mt. Vernon Place NW | 3rd Floor Ballroom | Washington, DC | 20001
RSVP here
Mayor Bowser Expands Taxi-to-Rail Transportation Options for East of the River Neighborhoods
 On Thursday, August 9, 2019, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced expansions under the Taxi-to-Rail (T2R) pilot program to give more transportation options to residents in neighborhoods East of the Anacostia River. T2R will increase the number of Metro stations served from eight to 10, with the addition of the Potomac Avenue and Navy Yard stations. In addition, a new T2R service will provide trips to and from locations such as grocery stores, libraries, and recreation centers.
“Building a more equitable and affordable transportation system is essential to providing all residents with pathways to the middle class,” said Mayor Bowser. “In addition to providing free Circulator rides and expanding Circulator routes into Ward 7, the Taxi-to-Rail program is another investment we’re making to help working families access the services and amenities they need.”
The T2R pilot was launched in June by the Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV) to help improve transportation equity. T2R provides passengers with a free taxicab ride of up to $10 to or from Metro stations – eight were part of the program’s launch (Anacostia, Congress Heights, Benning Road, Deanwood, Minnesota Avenue, Southern Avenue, Capitol Heights, and Naylor Road). With the addition of two more stations, and the ability to secure trips to certain retail and public facilities, T2R continues to offer innovative solutions connecting residents and visitors to opportunities and amenities on both sides of the Anacostia River.
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Mayor Bowser Releases 54 Month Progress Report
 On Thursday, August 1, 2019, Mayor Bowser released her 54 Month Progress Report. The report delivers on the Mayor’s commitment to transparency and accountability and provides a comprehensive summary of the Bowser Administration’s progress.
“The past 54 months have been memorable and we have many triumphant moments to look back on. But our work is not done,” said Mayor Bowser. “As a community, we should feel motivated by the progress we have already made and optimistic that the best is yet to come.”
The 54 Month Progress Report is broken down into sections on housing, jobs, opportunities at every stage of life, public safety and justice, resiliency, and amenities across all eight wards.
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Ethiopian Taye Gonfa Becomes Doctor in Greensboro After a Decade as a Refugee
As a young boy, Taye Gonfa wanted to fly the planes that he often spotted above the family's hut in Ethiopia.
His aspirations were only as far as he could see, which was a world otherwise steeped in poverty.
But there was his mom — unschooled and very pregnant with him when her husband drowned in a flooded river trying to get home from work — wanting so much more for him. She would be the first of many whose guidance would eventually lead him down the sterile hallways of Moses Cone Hospital — with "Dr. Taye Gonfa" on his badge.
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Nigerian Filmmaker Amarachi Nwosu Directs ‘A Game for All’ for Nike
 Sportwear giant Nike has partnered with Nigerian female filmmaker Amarachi Nwosu to direct the ‘A Game For All‘ campaign.
The campaign highlights the important contributions of women in soccer. In the past, soccer used to be considered to be men’s work not appropriate for women, but that has changed with time. Women are competing in the same game, and are winning many laurels for their respective countries each year.
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Amara Okolo wins 2019-2020 emerging writer scholarship at Vermont College of Fine Arts
 Amara Nicole Okolo is the winner of emerging writer scholarship under the Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA programme. The scholarship comes with free tuition and housing for the 2019-2020 duration, allowing her to fine-tune her arts and create more works.
She is the author of the novel Black Sparkle Romance which was published by Ankara Press, an imprint of Cassava Republic Read more.
It should be noted also that references to her work have appeared in reputable online media like The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Okay Africa, Reuters Africa (Africa), CNN, among others.
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Summer Conversation Classes hosted by Washington English Center
 Interested in practicing English conversation? Consider enrolling in the Washington English Center’s six-week conversation-focused English classes, starting July 8. Enrollment is still open and new students are welcome at any time. Students can sign up for morning, evening, or weekend classes at their convenience, with beginner, intermediate, and advanced level classes.
When: Evening classes Mon-Wed, July 8 - Aug 14 | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Weekend classes Sat-Sun, July 13 - Aug 18 | 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Where: Washington English Center | 2200 California St NW | Washington, DC | 20008
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National Immigration Forum and Mayor Muriel Bowser's Immigration Info Session
 The District is proud to enter into its second year of partnership with, “The National Immigration Forum’s program, New American Workforce! The District of Columbia Government is dedicated to making citizenship services more readily available to District employees, their families, and hundreds of others who live or work in Washington, D.C. In partnership with the National Immigration Forum, we are helping District employees become naturalized American citizens, if eligible. To support this effort, agencies may authorize administrative leave for employees to take part in one of the sponsored 2019 Citizenship Workshops.
Employees who wish to attend one of the citizenship workshops sponsored by the Executive Office of the Mayor, and provided by the National Immigration Forum (through the New American Workforce Project), may be granted no more than two hours of administrative leave to attend one of the workshops listed in the next section. If an employee requires more than two hours of leave, the employee must request and be approved for annual leave, leave without pay, compensatory time off, or exempt time off, as appropriate.
When: Friday, August 13, 2019 | 4:00 pm
Where: DCPS Central Office | 1200 First St NE | Washington, DC | 20002
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Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International Information Session
Learn about the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International, its resources, and its services. On-site registration to be a client registration may be available.
When: Tuesday, August 13 and August 20- September 2, 2019 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Where: 4121 Harewood Rd NE # B | Washington, DC | 20017
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Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development (CNHED) Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA), Corridor and Community Lenders Working Group Meeting
 Receive technical assistance, learning with and from individuals at the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development’s Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA), Corridor and Community Lenders Working Group meeting.
When: Wednesday, August 14, 2019 | 10:00 am
Where: CNHED Conference Room | 727 15th St NW | Washington, DC | 20005
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Community Day Health Fair: Building Healthy Relationships
 Come to a fun community health fair focused on health and wellness, with giveaways and free HIV, hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C screenings. If you are interested in volunteering or want more information, call (202) 671-5063 or email dc.powab@dc.gov.
When: Saturday, August 17, 2019 | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Anacostia Park | 1500 Anacostia Park Drive SE | Washington, DC
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DC Commission on Arts and Humanities (CAH): Request for Qualifications FY20 Playable Art DC Design Competition
 The DC Commission on Arts and Humanities (CAH) in partnership with the DC Office of Planning (OP) is excited to announce a national call to artists for the Playable Art DC, a creative play and placemaking project. This project is made possible through a grant from ArtPlace America. CAH and OP are seeking artists and design professionals with prior site-specific public art experience to design, fabricate and install playable artworks at three unique sites in the District of Columbia. The competition includes two-stage selection process: request for qualifications and site specific designs.
*RFQ Submission Deadline is Friday, August 23, 2019
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2019 Community Interpreter Training
 Gain interpretation skills and practice through the 2019 Community Interpreter Training. Complete the application here. Limited scholarships are available.
When: August 12 - September 2, 2019 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Where: Josephine Butler Parks Center | 2437 15th St NW | Washington, DC | 20009
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Carlos Rosario School: Community Language Classes - Amharic
 Are you interested in learning Amharic? Know someone who is? The Carlos Rosario School's Community Language Classes are a way to develop skills to connect with your clients and community members! This is an introductory level class for students who have never studied Amharic. You will learn the basics of the alphabet, vocabulary, and grammar necessary to have simple conversations. Ethiopian cultural considerations and traditions will also be covered.
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DCRA Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) Free Workshops
 Learn critical business skills and insight at free small business workshops on everything from business licensing to business planning. One-on-one business counseling is also available. This opportunity is geared towards future and current business owners looking to conduct business in the District of Columbia. Space is very limited, sign up today!
When: Throughout August
Where: 1100 4th Street, SW, 2nd Floor | Washington, D.C. 20024
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Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five, Parent Survey
 Attention DC families! Are you a parent or guardian of a child 5 years old or younger? We want to hear from you! Tell us about your experiences with different programs, services and benefits by taking a survey and you can enter into a random drawing to win a $100 gift card! You can complete the survey in Amharic or French.
GED and High School Skills Tutoring
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 pm 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, DC | 20001
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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, August 21, 2019 by 5:00 pm. Send all materials, along with any questions, to oaa@dc.gov.
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