 Dear Washingtonians,
I am Ashley Emerson, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office on African American Affairs (MOAAA). As a second-generation Washingtonian, it is an honor to lead the important work of advocating on behalf of the challenges, and championing the successes of all African American residents here in the District. From 16th Street Heights to Congress Heights, both native and non-native, we have made significant contributions to DC’s historic neighborhoods, business corridors, social institutions, activism, and vibrancy.
As our city continues to grow, our roots must remain even stronger. This is why Mayor Bowser charged MOAAA with working across government agencies to advise on innovative strategies to achieve equity, coordinate resources to empower residents, and convene community organizations whose mission is to advance the African American community.
We recognize there is more work to be done, but I am proud to say the Bowser Administration is making historic investments in homeownership, workforce development, education, and healthy communities; to ensure DC remains the number one city for African American prosperity in the nation.
Join us as we continue to ensure every resident has A Fair Shot by connecting your friends, family, and neighbors to the abundance of resources the District has to offer.
We bring you For The Culture, the first monthly newsletter from the Mayor's Office on African American Affairs highlighting opportunities, DC History, initiatives, Commission updates, and upcoming events for the prosperity of our community.
Sincerely,
Ashley Emerson
Executive Director
FY 2020 MOAAA COMMUNITY GRANT
 MOAAA solicited grant applications for the FY 2020 African American Affairs Community Grant from qualified Community-Based Organizations (CBO's) providing direct services to the District’s African American community. Our funding areas are Education, Jobs & Economic Development, Public Safety, Civic Engagement, Health & Wellness, Youth Engagement, and Arts & Creative Economy.
Lear more about our FY 2019 grantees HERE.
DC Funding Alert
Signup for The Funding Alert and view the District Grants Clearinghouse to receive the weekly electronic bulletin produced by the Office of Partnerships and Grant Services for all grant opportunities from District government.
#202Creates
 Mayor Muriel Bowser launched 202Creates in September 2016 to amplify and celebrate DC's creative culture. Led by OCTFME, CAH, and DMPED, 202Creates engages residents through events, activities, and resources that enrich our communities across all 8 wards.
202Creates: (1) promotes and amplifies the District's creative economy and creative residents through digital media marketing, content creation, and original television programming; (2) connects District residents with government resources, educational opportunities, and space to support their creative work and grow their creative businesses; and (3) builds an interdisciplinary community by connecting creative District residents with each other through events and networking activities.
Here is the: #202Creates Community Event Calendar
Wad 7 & 8 Microbusiness Dream Grants
 The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is soliciting applications for the 2020 Ward 7 and 8 Microbusiness Dream Grants.
The grants are to provide business development support to the growth of microbusinesses in Wards 7 and 8. These microbusinesses must be appropriately licensed, have fewer than five (5) employees, the business must be located in Ward 7 or 8, and Ward 7 or 8 residents must have ownership of50% or more of the of the business. DSLBD intends to award between 20 and 25 grants, of up $10,000 each, from the $200,000 in total available funding for 2020.
Deadline: November 15, 2019 at 2:00 pm through the online application system.
Dream Grants Info Sessions: http://bit.ly/dslbd_events
Apply for the Ward 7 & 8 Dream Grants here.
DC Opportunity Accounts
 On August 12, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a $1.3 million investment to relaunch DC Opportunity Accounts, a 4:1 matched savings program that will help qualified District residents potentially save up to $7,500. Those funds can be used to help pay for a variety of expenses, including education, first-time home purchases, small business development, and even retirement.
To apply for the DC Opportunity Accounts program, email DCopportunity@caab.org or call 202-414-1440 x104.
To learn more, visit DC Opportunity Accounts Program.
Financially Fit DC
Financial Literacy is the first step to generational wealth building for families. The Department of Insurance Securities and Banking (DISB) launched Financially Fit DC, a web-based financial assessment tool that guides participants through the financial process of creating a workable budget, checking their credit, purchasing a home, and planning for retirement.
For more information visit: FinanciallyFitDC.com
Roots to Roofs
 Mayor Bowser launched Roots to Roofs DC to highlight and provide information on all housing programs for DC residents. The Roots to Roofs DC campaign builds on the initiatives that provide economic mobility for African Americans.
Looking for information on housing, learn more at Roots to Roofs DC.
#ObviouslyDC
 On August 5th, Mayor Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) relaunched #ObviouslyDC to provide companies of all scales with valuable information and resources on starting and growing a business in Washington, DC. The redesigned website is a refresh of the Bowser Administration’s digital proposal for attracting Amazon’s second headquarters.
The website outlines key topic areas that are important for business growth: talent, quality of life, transportation and infrastructure network, and resiliency.
To learn more about why DC is an obvious place to start and grow a business, visit ObviouslyDC.com
DC Cultural Plan
 Mayor Bowser's DC Cultural Plan lays out a vision with 28 policy and 8 investment recommendations on how the government and its partners can build upon, strengthen, and invest in the creators, spaces, and consumers that support and create culture within the city. The Plan’s recommendations are designed to promote shared stewardship of culture, organizational innovation, and leveraged funding to sustain the city’s cultural core and create new opportunities for historically under-represented creators and communities.
More info here: DC Cultural Plan
Private Security Camera Incentive Program
 The Private Security Camera Rebate Program, administered by the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG), creates a rebate for residents, businesses, nonprofits, and religious institutions to purchase and install security camera systems on their property and register them with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Contact the program at security.cameras@dc.gov or 202-727-5124.
More info here: Private Security Camera Program
 #BlackBusinessMonth
In August, we celebrated Black Business Month, where we partnered with DSLBD to highlight businesses past and present. Before Harlem, We had "Black Broadway", D.C.’s historic Black greater U Street community that prospered and built a self-reliant economic, social, civic, and cultural existence. "Black Broadway" was an influential neighborhood of extraordinary achievers that birthed D.C.’s Black Renaissance and served as a prominent symbol of black culture and sophistication amid racial and political tension in America.
Visit blackbroadwayonu.com to learn about the history of "Black Broadway" and discover a wealth of information.
For more information on Mayor Bowser's investments into small businesses visit the Small Business Resource Center.
 COMMISSION ON AFRICAN AMERICAN AFFAIRS
The Commission advises the Mayor, the Council, the Director of the Mayor's Office on African American Affairs, and the public on the views and needs of African American communities in the District. Visit MOAAA.dc.gov for more information on the Commission.
NEXT MEETING:
Commission on African American Affairs - August Meeting
Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Frank D. Reeves Center, 2000 14th Street NW (2nd Floor Community Room)
Mayor Bowser's National Maternal & Infant Health Summit
Join Mayor Muriel Bowser at the National Maternal & Infant Health Summit on Tuesday, September 10 to build on the District's new approach to ensure the health of women, babies and families.
Register here: DC Maternal & Infant Health Summit
CBC Annual Legislative Caucus 2019
The CBCF Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) will take place on September 11 -15, 2019, Join subject experts, industry leaders, elected officials and citizen activists to explore today’s issues from an African-American perspective.
Register here: CBC Annual Legislative Caucus 2019
CBC Washington Leadership Reception
Mayor Muriel Bowser, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, and the Council of the District of Columbia cordially invite you and a guest to the Washington Leadership Reception in recognition of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 49th Annual Legislative Conference on Thursday, September 12.
Register here: Washington Leadership Reception
Mayor Bowser Presents the 51st Festivities: DC for Statehood at the State Room
Join us in Ward 6 on September 12 for the second of three events championing DC statehood. The night will feature music, speakers and statehood advocates – come share in the cause and celebrate DC’s path to statehood!
To learn more about DC statehood, visit statehood.dc.gov
Register here: 51st Festivities: DC for Statehood
#FITDC x Gym Jonez FITCAMP
On Saturday, September 14, Residents that join the #FITDC x Gym Jonez Fit Camp at the Pavilion will have the opportunity to experience an interactive wellness marketplace under the Pavilion, followed by a yoga warm-up and a 50-minute, HIIT workout with the #FITDC trainers.
The morning will include wellness demonstrations, a chance to learn more from local wellness experts, nutritional meal prep how-tos, and more!
Register here: #FitDC Gym Jones Fitcamp
38th Annual Congress Heights Day Parade
The Congress Heights Community Association is hosting the 38th Annual Congress Heights Day Parade culminating with Art All Night – Soul of the City. This year the parade will be held on September 14th 2019 starting at 4pm.
Register here: 38th Annual Congress Heights Day Parade
DC Art All Night
Join us at DC's Art All Night, a free overnight arts festival on Saturday, September 14 from 7:00 PM until 3:00 AM. The festival will take place in eight (8) District Main Streets neighborhoods: Destination Congress Heights, Deanwood Heights, Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets, H Street Main Street, Minnesota Ave, North Capitol Street Main Street, Shaw Main Street, and Tenleytown Main Street.
Activities include: visual and performing arts, painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, fashion, music, dance, theater, film, and poetry.
Visit DCArtAllNight.org for more information.
Mayor Bowser Presents the 51st Festivities: DC for Statehood at the State Room
Join us in Ward 8 on September 16 for the last event championing DC statehood. The night will feature music, speakers and statehood advocates – come share in the cause and celebrate DC’s path to statehood!
To learn more about DC statehood, visit statehood.dc.gov
Register here: 51st Festivities: DC for Statehood
DC Radio 2nd Year Anniversary
Join us on September 19th to celebrate the 2nd year anniversary of DC Radio. This event is free and open to the public!
Register here: DC Radio 2 Year Anniversary
DC vs. NOLA: BATTLE OF BANDS & BBQ
On Friday, September 20, come out to the Gateway Pavilion for the DC vs. NOLA: BATTLE OF BANDS & BBQ. A friendly culinary and musical battle between two cities whose musicians are on the front lines of fighting back against cultural displacement. The New Orleans-based Big Six Brass Band will match note-for-note against DC go-go band Proper Utensils featuring James Funk and Black Alley. DC’s Own Catering by John will square off against Louisiana-native Trés Creole chef Eric Tyson.
Register here: Battle of the Bands
OP - Office of Planning Community Conversation on Housing
Join the DC Office of Planning (OP) and DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) on Saturday, September 21st from 1pm-3pm at Ron Brown High School. Doors open at 12:30pm.
We are excited to discuss the Mayor’s bold goal to build 36,000 new residential units by 2025, our plan to get there through the Housing Framework for Equity and Growth and hear from you about your vision for the District’s housing goals.
Register here: Community Conversation on Housing
2019 H Street Festival
On Saturday, September 21, Join us at the H Street Festival, one of the most anticipated and highly attended single day festivals in Washington D.C. The festival is 11 blocks long and has 14 staging areas that are diversely themed and programmed to target the different segments of audiences.
More Info here: H Street Festival
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