February Newsletter from the DC Mayor's Office on Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 02/05/2024 12:48 PM EST

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441 4th Street NW,
Suite 721 North
Washington, DC, 20001
202-727-3120
https://linktr.ee/moapia

MOAPIA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for District Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through advocacy and engagement. MOAPIA advises the Mayor, the Council, and District agencies on the views, needs, and concerns of the AAPI community. We also provide recommendations on District programs and initiatives affecting the AAPI community, and help coordinate programs and initiatives within the government that promote the overall welfare of the AAPI community.

A Message from the Director

February means that love is in the air. Obviously, for many this means Valentines Day, but as we celebrate Lunar New Year, we know that many of our residents and business owners are welcoming the Year of the Dragon wrapped in the love of their families. As a District that celebrates diversity in so many different forms, we love all the ways we love here!

Mayor Bowser loves celebrating Lunar New Year with us as well and we look forward to her leading our contingent at the Annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade, co-hosted by our friends and partners at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. To join us for the festivities, sign up here.

February is also Black History Month and we appreciate the opportunities we have to invoke the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision of the beloved community with our colleagues in the Mayor’s Office of African American Affairs and the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs. The shared history we have of working towards racial justice and immigrant rights is something we treasure deeply with our MOCA family.

Of course, we continue to do our ongoing work to build community with our AAPI owned businesses through our outreach program. You can read about other information about our agency and our community in the articles below. And as always, you can keep up with us for the most up to date information on our social media platforms.

In partnership,

Ben de Guzman

Director of the Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs

District and MOAPIA News

Join Mayor Muriel Bowser to celebrate the Year of the Dragon! This year's parade will feature colorful, diverse, contingents, traditional ceremonies and performances, and a Firecracker Finale. #LunarNewYearDC #BeDowntown

RSVP: tinyurl.com/lunarnewyeardc24

Heads up, DC!

Please prepare for extremely cold temperatures and possible snow this coming winter. Find out more at www.snow.dc.gov

Mayor Bowser and the Department of Employment Services have officially launched the application period for the 2024 MBSYEP!

This program will allow 12,000 DC youth between the ages 14-24 to earn $$$ while exploring potential career paths.

Find out more at: http://summerjobs.dc.gov

When you decide to work for DC Government, you not only enhance your career, but you also can make the world a better place. Learn more about our fantastic opportunities and benefits:

Apply today! https://together.dc.gov/jobs

Agency in the Community

Community Outreach & Canvassing

#TeamMOAPIA continued its outreach and canvassing to meet with Washingtonians across the District! We promoted Mayor’s resources for public safety, new grant opportunities, and other DC government resources.

More information on resources and opportunities can be found at tinyurl.com/DCGovResourcesMOAPIA

Office News

JOIN TEAM MOAPIA

While we’re talking about jobs with DC government, have you heard the news?

We are hiring! If you are passionate about serving AAPI communities in the District and making a difference, don’t hesitate and join Team MOAPIA!

Learn more about the open positions.

tinyurl.com/joinTeamMOAPIA

Grantee Spotlight

Youth of Asian American LEAD (AALEAD) DC recently installed a 75-foot mural as part of a public art project in Chinatown Park! The youth’s vision, developed and installed through a 4-part workshop series with local artist Shani Shih, brings to the fore a powerful array of stories — ranging from experiences of immigration and hybrid identities; to DC Chinatown’s history and cultural traditions; to communities working in solidarity to preserve their homes and neighborhoods.

Facilitated by Shani Shih and Yingzhi Dai of Chinatown Art Studio, this barrier art project addresses the ongoing displacement of DC’s Chinatown by centering AAPI/Chinatown voices and building community ownership of public space. Youth artists from Chinatown Art Studio have created a complementary design that celebrates Chinese music and folklore traditions, holiday customs, immigrant family stories, and AAPI resilience. Chinatown Art Studio youth will be installing their murals in late November, next to AALEAD’s murals.

The newly expanded Chinatown Park is a pedestrian safety initiative of the DowntownDC BID. The extension, including the barriers and surface murals, will remain in place for at least 18 months.

Find out more about their work at : www.aalead.org