2019 DC African Heritage Month
 Mayor Bowser has proclaimed September as African Heritage Month! Come celebrate with MOAA at these following events throughout the month
MOAA will be hosting a Conversation on African Immigrant Women Health which will focus on Mental and Maternal Health as it pertains to women of African descent.
When: Thursday, September 19, 2019 | 5:30pm - 8:00 pm
Where: Reeves Center | 2000 14th Street NW | Washington, DC | 20009
RSVP here
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 Highlights Efforts to Expand Access to High-Quality Early Child Care and Education in the District
 On Thursday, September 6, 2019, Mayor Muriel Bowser toured the early learning program at National Children’s Center in Ward 8 to spotlight her Administration’s investments to expand the Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s Quality Improvement Network (QIN), which the Mayor launched in 2015 during her first 100 days in office. Next week, Mayor Bowser will host the District’s second annual National Maternal and Infant Health Summit on September 10 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
“Since launching the Quality Improvement Network, we’ve been able to increase access to and improve the quality of early care and education in the District, particularly for many of our most vulnerable families,” said Mayor Bowser. “We’re going to continue building out this network, which not only connects our families with comprehensive health services, but also housing, education opportunities, and workforce development programs.”
Since Fiscal Year 2015, Mayor Bowser has created 1,331 new child care seats and expanded comprehensive and continuous Early Head Start standard services to more than 600 children in licensed child care facilities throughout Washington, DC.
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Mayor Bowser Highlights Upcoming Diaper Tax Repeal as Part of Her Investments to Make DC Affordable for Families
 On Wednesday, September 4, 2019, Mayor Muriel Bowser and At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds reminded residents and businesses of the upcoming elimination on Washington DC’s sales tax on diapers, which will go into effect on October 1, 2019. The diaper tax repeal was made possible by a $4.5 million investment in the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) budget, along with the support of Councilmember Bonds.
“I have committed my Administration to find– and more importantly fund – programs and ideas that put money back in the pockets of DC families,” said Mayor Bowser. “A dollar here and a dollar there may not seem like a lot, but over time, it adds up. Combined with other cost-saving policies like the child care tax credits, these programs are making it easier for families to stay in and afford life in DC.”
The diaper tax repeal builds on Mayor Bowser and Councilmember Bonds’ work last year to successfully eliminate the District’s sales tax on feminine hygiene products.
Learn more
Forget Popeyes: A viral tweet has customers lining up outside this immigrant-owned chicken sandwich restaurant in D.C.
People had been losing their minds for days over the Popeyes chicken sandwich when someone threw out a suggestion for locals in D.C.: “Popeyes is cool and all,” the woman tweeted. “If you live in the DMV area you should check out the Roaming Rooster.”
It’s a family business owned by an Ethiopian immigrant who “has always been kind,” tweeted the woman, whose account gives her name as “La Hara” and says she is a musician.
The tweet flew across the Internet last Monday, inspiring similar tweets praising the restaurant’s fried chicken. The following morning, there was a line out the door at the Roaming Rooster in Northeast Washington.
It was “the best thing that ever happened to us,” said Michael Habtemariam, one of the owners. Habtemariam said he recognized the viral tweeter as a former customer but does not know her personally. (La Hara could not immediately be reached for comment.)
Learn more
South Africans are celebrating the success of the Ndlovu Youth Choir, which has made it through to the final of America’s Got Talent.
On Wednesday night, the singers, known for their energetic dancing, performed a rendition of Whitney Houston's Higher Love.
They wowed the audience and talent show judges and will be performing in the final with four other acts.
Judge Simon Cowell, well known for making blunt and controversial comments about contestants, said the South African group really deserved a spot in the final.
Afterwards the choir tweeted: "Our hope is that our performance inspired you to a 'Higher Love'. We are one world."
Learn more
Mary’s Center After School Teen Program
 The Mary’s Center’s After School Program provides a safe place for young people aged 13 to 21 to realize their potential by setting goals and receiving the support and resources necessary to succeed. Based at Mary’s Center’s Petworth location, comprehensive services include medical, educational, and social service support. Registration is open until September 23rd.
The Mary’s Center’s After School Program provides a safe place for young people aged 13 to 21 to realize their potential by setting goals and receiving the support and resources necessary to succeed. Based at Mary’s Center’s Petworth location, comprehensive services include medical, educational, and social service support. Registration is open until September 23rd.
When: August 12, 2019 - September 23, 2019 | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: 3912 Georgia Avenue NW | Washington, DC | 20011
Learn more
Volunteer at The Asylum Seeker Assistance Project’s September Job Readiness Training
 Help clients practice employment-related skills attending The Asylum Seeker Assistance Project’s Job Readiness Training. Email hailey@asylumprojectdc.org for more information.
When: Monday, September 9th - Friday, September 13th | 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: Provided upon request
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The District of Columbia Government Human Resources’ Inaugural Virtual Hiring Fair
 The DC Department of Human Resources, will host the District’s inaugural virtual hiring fair. This three-day event is aimed at enhancing the interaction between residents, recruiters and hiring managers in the District of Columbia Government. Participating agencies include the Office of the Chief Technology Officer, the Department of Energy and Environment, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Employment Services, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Regulatory Affairs.
When: Tuesday, September 10, 2019 8:00 am - Thursday, September 12, 2019 8:00 pm
Register here
What is Living Wage? A Roundtable Discussion
 What does it mean to live well in the District of Columbia today? Living well might mean having rich familial, social, and community connections, the time to pursue education, recreation, and other interests, and the ability to work toward a meaningful future. But none of these promises can be fulfilled unless people are able to meet their basic needs for food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and transportation.
When: Thursday, September 12, 2019 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: Busboys and Poets - Anacostia | 2004 MLK Jr Ave SE | Washington, DC | 20020
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Entrepreneurship Workshops for TANF customers ONLY
 The Office of Work Opportunity will be launching an Entrepreneurship Workshop for TANF customers ONLY which will focus on creating and building a local business. This workshop will give TANF customers an opportunity to receive information on how to develop and launch a private commercial enterprise. This workshop will also provide information on how to: create a business, apply for a business license, obtain grants to start new businesses, etc. Those who successfully complete the workshop courses will have the opportunity to present for entry into the DHS Entrepreneur Pitch Event.
When: Thursday, September 12, 2019 - Friday, September 20, 2019
Where: Office of Work Opportunity | 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE | Washington, DC | 20020
Register here
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.
Learn more
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
Learn more
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, September 20, 2019 by 5:00 pm. Send all materials, along with any questions, to oaa@dc.gov.
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