SPECIAL STORM UPDATE:
Residents May Bring Spoiled Food to Selected
Schools Monday and Tuesday for DPW to Collect:
The DC Department of Public Works announced today that in
addition to conducting its regular trash and recycling collections from
residences with Monday or Tuesday collections, employees will be located at the
following schools today and tomorrow, 3 pm to 7 pm, to collect spoiled food
from residents who do not want to wait until their normal collection later in
the week. Trucks will be positioned at each site to receive spoiled
food only. Another option available to residents is bringing their
spoiled food to the Ft. Totten Transfer Station, 4900 John F. McCormack, Road,
NE, 1 pm-7 pm* Monday and Tuesday. Ft. Totten will be closed Wednesday,
July 4 for the holiday and reopens Thursday.
For more information and updates please click here
NOON UPDATE: District Government Open Today While Recovery Efforts Continue:
Mayor Gray and other District officials are continuing to direct a comprehensive city-wide response to the derecho (the meteorological term for a long-lived severe thunderstorm even characterized by destructive straight-line winds) that the D.C. region experienced Friday night and the extreme heat that has followed in its wake. A state of emergency continues in the District as a result of the storm damage. Residents are encouraged to get the latest information on emergency response from www.hsema.dc.gov, www.dc.gov, and their Twitter and DC311 app accounts.
For more information and updates please click here
OAA FrontPage:
3rd Annual DC Africa Festival on July 21!
RSVP Required ! To register Click here
Who: DC Mayor's Office on African Affairs
What: 3rd Annual DC Africa Festival - “Building
One City - Showcasing Africa’s History, Heritage and Interconnectedness.”
When: Saturday, July 21st, from 12pm - 6pm
Where: Banneker Upper Field
2500 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, DC, 20001
Official festival site: Here
Volunteers Needed!!!
For more information and application form: click here
Last Call for Arts & Crafts Vendors!!!
For more information and application form: click here
African Tenants Participate in the 5th Annual Tenant Townhall held on June 23rd
Africans tenants primarily from apartment communities in
Ward 4’s Brightwood neighborhood participated in the 5th Tenant
Townhall organized by the Latino Economic Development Corporation on June 23rd
from 1-4 pm at the National City Christian Church at 5 Thomas Circle NW.
A majority of the African tenants in attendance were of limited or no English
proficiency (LEP/NEP) and used the Townhall as a platform to share their
experiences as renters, and to movingly raise a number of issues they face: a)
the rising cost of rent and the need for affordable housing; b) language
barriers with landlords, and overall need for greater language access; c)
unfair and unresponsive landlords as well as lack of code enforcement in their
buildings, and d) crime and safety issues in their neighborhoods.
Meet OAA's Dynamic Team of Summer Interns:
Meet our talented 2012 summer interns at OAA! They are a diverse group of students who bring unique skills to serve the District's African community!
 Rekik Tesfaye
Rekik Tesfaye works
as the communications intern for the OAA. She is a rising senior at
the George Washington University, where she is studying Journalism. Beyond writing articles, Rekik spends her spare time writing poetry and prose, in
addition to reading and drawing. She is the child of Ethiopian immigrants, and
was born and raised in the Washington metropolitan area. She speaks Amharic, conversational
Spanish, and beginner’s level French. Working at the OAA has been a rewarding
experience for her thus far, and she has gained skills she will be able to use
in her future pursuits.
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 Ezekiel Jalloh
Ezekiel
Jalloh was born in Liberia, and grew up in Accra, Ghana. He is currently a
junior at American University, majoring in International Relations, Communications and Development, and is minoring in Japanese. His passion for Africa and
African development comes from his upbringing in Africa and through volunteering with the DC
Mayor’s Office on African Affairs. Ezekiel speaks English, West African Pidgin English, Twi (Ghanaian
dialect), and intermediate Japanese & French. Upon graduation, Ezekiel hopes to attend law
school to study international law.
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 Yvonne Eseonu
Yvonne Eseonu was born in Austin, Texas and raised in Prince Georges County, Maryland.She is the child of Nigerian immigrants and identifies herself as a
Nigerian-American. She is a rising senior at Emory University, majoring in
Sociology and minoring in African Studies with an interest in African American
Studies. This past semester she had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in
Accra, Ghana, where she was able to study Twi. In her spare time she enjoys poetry and taking
African dance classes.
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 Aliou Keita
Aliou Keita was born and raised in Bamako, Mali. He is a
rising senior at the University Maryland majoring in Economics and minoring in
Resource and Agricultural Policy in Economic Development. Impassioned by the
world of finance and the promising future of Africa, working for the Office on
African Affairs to support the DC African diaspora was an ideal pleacement. Aliou speaks French,
English and Bambara (Malian dialect). In the future he hopes to get his MBA and
join the ranks of the District's immigrant entrepreneur community.
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 Mitik Zegeye
Mitik A. Zegeye is a rising junior at The College of Wooster
(Wooster, Ohio), where she is currently studying International
Relations with a concentration on Economics. She hails from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and is very excited to work in the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs
because she has always wanted to do work related to public service. This internship was the perfect opportunity for her explore her interest in that
area. She is also interested in foreign affairs and international development.
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 Michael Jones
Michael Jones attended Montgomery College from 2010 to 2011, where he was student president of
the college. He is currently a student at
Prince George’s Community College, where he is studying Business Management with
hopes of one day attending law school. He is working at OAA to gain experience in a professional environment while also
providing services to constituents of his hometown of Washington, D.C.
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Siye Ghebreyohannes
Siye was born and raised in Washington
DC; his parents emigrated from Ethiopia in the 70’s and 80’s. He is a current
student of Bowie State University majoring in business management. He first learned about OAA when he attended the Mayor's African Youth Townhall in April. He is working with OAA through the District Leadership Program, which is facilitated
by DC Department of Human Resource. Through OAA he hopes to help improve the
quality of life for the African community in DC. His interests include community
outreach, learning about culture, and watching and playing sports.
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 Phiwe Ndinisa
Phiwe Ndinisa is a South African of Xhosa heritage. He can speak six
of the eleven official South African languages, and graduated with a Bachelors of
Law degree from the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape South Africa. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Law degree specializing in Commercial Law at
the University of Cape Town South Africa. He is interning at OAA through the South
African Washington International Programme (SAWIP). The Mayor’s Office on African Affairs is providing him with the perfect platform to hone in valuable capabilities and skills in
pursuit of helping him grow so that he can effect positive change in South
Africa.
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What's New With Your Mayor?
Gray
Administration Applauds Supreme Court Ruling to Uphold Affordable Care Act
Mayor
Vincent C. Gray today welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling in National
Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius and related cases, which
upholds the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
(ACA) of 2010. The decision leaves President Obama’s health-care-reform law
intact and helps expand health coverage to millions of Americans who need it.
“We
are delighted that the Court has upheld the Affordable Care Act,” Mayor Gray said. “While the
District already leads the nation in access to care, we will continue moving
forward to ensure that every District resident has access to quality, affordable
health care.”
Mayor Vincent C. Gray and DC Delegation Members Participate in 2012 Beijing Forum on Sustainable Development of Cities
Wednesday June 27, Mayor Vincent C. Gray and DC Office of Planning (OP) Director Harriet Tregoning participated in the 2012 Beijing Forum on Sustainable Development of Cities, hosted by the Beijing Municipal Government at the National Convention Center in the Beijing Olympic Park. The theme of this year’s conference – “Culture: the Engine for Cities’ Sustainable Development” – offers District leaders an opportunity to glean from the international community more information to aid Mayor Gray’s sustainability efforts.
Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Family Members and Other Leaders Unveil Plaque in Memory of Victims of 2009 Metro Crash
Friday, June 22nd, on the third anniversary of the worst rail accident in the District’s history, Mayor Vincent C. Gray fulfilled a promise made last year to the families of the victims of the 2009 Metro crash by unveiling a bronze memorial plaque in honor of their loved ones.
The plaque is located on the New Hampshire Avenue/Charles Langley Bridge, above the approximate location of the accident, which claimed the lives of nine victims and left 80 passengers injured.
Mayor Vincent C. Gray & Health Officials Release 2011 Annual Report Showing Progress on Addressing HIV/AIDs, STDs, Hepatitis and TB in the District
On June 20, Mayor Vincent C.
Gray and officials from the DC Department of Health (DOH) released the 2011
District of Columbia HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Epidemiology Annual
Report. Additionally, DOH officials released a new study on heterosexuals and
HIV infection rates in the District and announced new recommendations for
medical providers to start treatment immediately for all persons newly
diagnosed with HIV.
Newsworthy
White House Office Hours: The Affordable Care Act
Nigerian breaks academic record at John Hopkins University
A 22-year-old Nigerian, Emmanuel Ohuabunwa, has made history at John Hopkins University, United States of America. Ohuabunwa from Arochukwu, Abia State, has done the nation proud by becoming the first black man to make a Grade Point Average of 3.98 out of 4.0 to bag a degree in Neurosciences in the university. He was also adjudged as having the highest honours during the graduation that was held on May 24 this year.
The king of concrete has ambitions beyond Nigeria
Aliko Dangote deals in everything from cement and sugar to pasta and prayer mats. His ascent did not follow the usual path of the Nigerian mega-rich who feed at the oil trough. A decade ago he took over several failing state enterprises and made them profitable. “I want to be the most successful businessman in the world,” he says.
EasyJet founder to launch low-cost airline in Africa
A new budget airline backed by easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou will soon take to the African skies, promising to bring low-cost flights to millions of people in the continent. Dubbed Fastjet, the no-frills carrier is expected to launch in three to four months, aiming to cash in on Africa's robust economic growth and a growing appetite for travel by its burgeoning middle class.
International Musician and Advocate Wyclef Jean to Headline the 'Keep the Promise' Concert
Wyclef Jean, Grammy award-winning musician, songwriter, producer and humanitarian of international acclaim joins the “Keep the Promise” March on Washington to headline on July 22.
Next month Wyclef will take the stage at the Washington Monument grounds to perform and rally the crowd of over 10,000 people before the start of the “Keep the Promise” March.
Invest in Africa and Sunderland Football Club Announce Pioneering Partnership
Invest in Africa and Sunderland AFC announced a first for the Premier League at the club's Stadium of Light this morning. Invest in Africa was unveiled as the club's principal partner and shirt sponsor for the 2012/13 season. The Invest in Africa brand will be displayed on the team's kit for a minimum of two seasons and seen around the globe to the Premier League's audience of 4.7 billion viewers.
Telling a Story of Africa Through Youth and Innovation: 'My Africa Is'
My Africa is is a collaborative effort to follow and share the stories of change-makers in 13 cities across sub-Saharan Africa. The eight part series that is scheduled to broadcast in 2013 will travel to Yoff and Dakar in Senegal; Monrovia, Liberia; Freetown, Sierra Leone; Bubusua and Accra in Ghana; Lagos, Nigeria; Luanda, Angola; Johannesburg, South Africa; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Nairobi, Kenya; Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
Business Square
Western Union and USAID Announce Winners of Second African Diaspora Marketplace
At the second African Diaspora Marketplace (ADM II), 17 U.S.-based entrepreneurs were awarded matching grants to fund innovative business plans and promote economic growth in seven countries in sub-Saharan and North Africa. The grants will match ADM winners' own funds to support growth of their businesses.
To learn more, click here.
DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)
Marks Successful Trade Mission to South Africa
Department of Small and Local Businesses (DSLBD) recently
engaged with businesses in South Africa for a Trade Mission. The event took
place on June 11th-June 15th in the cities of Johannesburg,
Tshwane, and Capetown, and involved six
participating small businesses. The goal of this initiative was to promote DC
exporting in the educational, finance, construction, sustainability, and
information technology fields . This Trade mission falls under the ExportDC
program, which is a program that encourages exporting from DC firms to compete
internationally. DLSBD Director Harold Pettigrew commented on the event stating
“DSLBD is committed to linking DC’s small and local businesses with global
business opportunities in real-time,”
To learn more, click here.
African Urban Infrastructure and Real Estate Summit
Africa Urban Infrastructure and Real Estate Summit will launch on October
16th 2012 –October 17th 2012 in Capetown South
Africa. The event will be specifically
held in the Capetown International Convention Center. This event seeks to
strengthen African Infrastructure as well as real estate investment. The expected
attendees include national and local government officials, urban planners,
designers, developers, facility managers and potential investors. This event
provides participants with the opportunity to network, learn about current and
upcoming projects involving African urbanization & real estate, and build
business opportunities.
To learn more, click here
DDOT Issues Invitation for Bids for
Advertising on Capital Bikeshare Map Panels
The
District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is inviting people to Bids for advertising
on 128 capital Bike share station map panels. This will allow a business to
advertise their company on the map panels at each Capital Bike share station in
DC. The advertising space will be 38 inches wide and 56 ¾ inches tall and will
be place where there is a large influx of pedestrians, cars, bikes and
transit traffic. This a great opportunity for a local business to gain exposure
in the districts metropolitan area.
To learn more, click here
DC Women's Business Center
The
DC Women’s business is hosting a woman’s walk and talk event on Saturday July
14th 2012. The event will take place at the national mall but the
meeting place will be at the Smithsonian metro shop. Participants will get a chance to walk
through downtown DC and visit some museum sites and other places. This is an
opportunity to for women professionals of various backgrounds to gather and
network. Registration is required and can be done online.
To learn more, click here
Small Business Resource Center
The
Small Business Resource Center will be organizing Business Planning Process
event. It will take place on July 5, 2012 at MLK Memorial Library, 901 G street
NW, Washington DC 20001 4531 (DSLBD Small Business Resource Center). This event
will be resourceful for new entrepreneurs in the District. This event will entail the thought process of
creating a business plan.
To learn more, click here
Mission: Small Business℠
Demonstrating their ongoing commitment to small businesses, Chase and LivingSocial are sponsoring "Mission: Small Business℠" a grant program awarding up to $3 million to small business owners nationwide. The Program, which will provide up to 12 individual grants of $250,000 was developed to provide small businesses with resources needed to make a positive impact on their business.
Nonprofit Niche
Nominations for the Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2012 EXCEL Award
The Center for Nonprofit Advancement is now accepting nominations for the Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2012 EXCEL Award. This competitive award spotlights up to three outstanding nonprofit leaders in the Washington Metropolitan area for outstanding nonprofit chief executive leadership.
Upward Bound (DOE)
Department
of Education announces
funds to supports projects designed to provide the skills and motivation
necessary to complete a program of secondary education and to enter and succeed
in a program of postsecondary education. Grant ID: GD4644
Department of Human Services
Department of Health and Human Services announces funds
to support the implementation arm of demonstration projects focused on reducing
health disparities.
Grant ID: GD4645
Department of Human Services
Department of Health and Human Services announces funds
to provide street-based services to run away, homeless, and street youth who
have been subjected to, or are at risk of being subjected to, sexual abuse,
prostitution, or sexual exploitation. Grant ID: GD4646
Bank of America Charitable Foundation Grants
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations.
Funding Opportunity: Funds to create impact by helping the unemployed and underserved, including young people, gain the training and education opportunities that translate into employment and post-secondary success.
Deadline: 7/2/2012
Contact: Bank of America Charitable Foundation at 800.218.9946
Grant ID: GD4638
Department of Health and Human Services Grants
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations. Substance abuse treatment for racial/ethnic minority populations at high-risk for HIV/AIDS (HHS).
Funding Opportunity: Funds to facilitate the development and expansion of culturally competent and effective community-based treatment systems for substance use and co-occurring substance use and mental disorders within racial and ethnic minority communities.
Funds: $500,000
Deadline: 7/20/2012
Contact: Eileen Bermudez at 240.276.1407 or eileen.bermudez@samhsa.hhs.gov
Grant ID: GD4640
The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region Grants
Eligibility: Nominations for the Linowes Leadership Awards. The awards seek to recognize individuals of creativity, vision, and leadership who work in a community in the greater Washington Metropolitan area who generally are unrecognized.
Funding Opportunity: Four awards are made annually, with one award specifically recognizing a young person, 18 years of age or younger.
Funds: Each award recipient receives an unrestricted, direct grant of $2,000 and an additional $3,000 to be contributed to the local nonprofit community organization of his or her choice.
Deadline: 7/20/2012
Premier Cares Award
Eligibility: Nonprofit public and private organizations are eligible to apply.
Funding Opportunity: Award was established to recognize exemplary, innovative efforts that have made health services more accessible to the medically underserved, particularly as demonstrated in superior health outcomes.
Funds: The award carries a cash prize of $100,000, with an additional $120,000 in cash awards divided among five runners-up.
Deadline: 7/31/2012
NASDAQ OMX Educational Foundation Grants
Eligibility: Open to independent school districts, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, private institutions of higher education, local educational agencies and state educational agencies.
Funding Opportunity: Funds to promote learning about capital information, financial markets and entrepreneurship through innovative educational programs.
Deadline: 8/01/2012
National Endowment for the Arts Grants
Eligibility: City or township governments, country governments, independent school districts, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, state governments, nonprofit organizations, private institutions of higher education, DC government agencies, local educational agencies and state educational agencies.
Funding Opportunity: Funds to promote learning.
Deadline: 8/09/2012
Contact: National Endowment for the Arts at 202.682.5400 or webmgr@arts.gov
Grant ID: GD4641
Sign up for the Office of Partnerships and Grants Services "Funding Alerts"
The Office of Partnerships and Grants Services (OPGS) works to enhance the capacity of District government agencies, community and faith-based organizations, and nonprofits to identify, apply, and secure resources that advance the Mayor's top public policy priorities.
To read the newest funding alert, please click here. We encourage you to sign up to receive the funding alerts directly to your e-mail, by following the link below.
Rolling in Resources
Department of Motor Vehicles Inspection Station to Observe Special Hours
Due to excessive
heat conditions forecasted for Friday, June 29, 2012, and Saturday, June 30,
2012, the Department of Motor Vehicles’ Inspection Station will operate on special
hours. The Inspection Station will be
open from 5:00am to 1:00pm on these two days.
This operational change will ensure the safety of both employees and
customers as the heat index approaches 110 degrees.
District
residents are encouraged to seek relief from the extreme temperatures by
limiting outside activities and drinking plenty of water.
To learn more, click here.
Larry Neal Sessions
Larry Neal Sessions gives listeners the opportunity to experience the literary works of some of the best writers in Washington, DC. The works are from the winners of the Larry Neal Writers’ Competition – read by the authors or cast of actors. Each week, a new writer, a new performance, and a great new work
To learn more, click here.
Functional Family Therapy Orientation
Functional Family Therapy is an intensive and highly successful strengths-based intervention. FFT uses an evidence based model to help families get youth back on track.
To be eligible, one most meet the following critera:
- DC Resident
- Receiving Medicaid
- Between 10 and 17 years old
- Family is involved
- Significant behavioral and emotional problems in one or more areas: school, family, peers, and/or community
If your family doesn't meet FFT eligibility, but meets the criteria in bold (and is between the ages of 5 and 17), we may have services that fit your needs.
The orientation session is on June 28 at 9am, at the following address:
801 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
4th Floor Conference Room
To learn more, call 202.548.4885.
Youth ArtBeat Summer Camp
AIRfound.org is
providing an opportunity for rising 7th to 10th graders to join an amazing week
long camp for free! They are offering two one-week sessions of a summer arts
program. The sessions run from June 18-22, and June 25-29. To find out more
about the program, click here.
If you would like to
sign up, click here.
Amharic Summer Camp at Montgomery College, Silver Spring campus
An Amharic summer camp is being offered for students 7 years old and above, for the free of $150 per week, with a non-refundable $25 registration free. The sessions run from July 2nd - August 10th, 2012, from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Before and after care is available, but subject to addtional fee.
For more information, please call (240) 577-3976 or (301) 633-1669.
Young District Residents with Special Health Needs Can Attend Free Summer Camps
Four advocacy agencies are providing free camps for young people with special health needs this summer through a partnership with the D.C. Department of Health.
The camps will serve children and young adults with asthma, other chronic health conditions and mental or physical disabilities.
All camps are free of charge and limited to residents of the District. Programs offer traditional camp activities, such as arts and crafts and outdoor sports, as well as health education services tailored to the campers’ particular conditions.
For more information, click here.
Emergence Community Arts Collective Call to Artists
The Georgia Avenue Window Walk is a temporary public art project that engages residents, businesses and visitors to the community by placing art installations in vacant storefront spaces along the lower Georgia Avenue Corridor. This call is open to artists who live or work in DC and organizations located in DC with preference given to: Pleasant Plains & Park View, ANC 1A or 1B.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old (if working with a youth group, lead applicant must be at least 18 years). The selected artist or organization will be awarded a stipend of $200.
For more information, please click here.
For the application form, click here. DC Youth - Earn Cash and Improve the Metro System
 DC Metro is looking for DC Youth ages 8-18 to participate in a discussion about public transportation. If you are a DC youth interested in participating, call 202.232.4658 (ext. 13) for more information. Parental consent is required.
Keep America Beautiful Recycle-Bowl Contest
Recycle-Bowl is a free competition and benchmarking tool for k-12 school recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities. School recycling programs across the nation compete in a race to collect the most recyclables. This contest is open to both public and private schools. Last year, Kimball Elementary School in Ward 7 was a winner and received a $1000.00 prize.
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