OAA FrontPage:
3rd Annual DC Africa Festival Postponed
Due to inclement weather, the 3rd Annual DC Africa Festival has been postponed to a later date. Please keep plugged in with OAA to find out when the rescheduled date for the festival will be.
Fall Internship Opportunities at OAA!
The Office on African Affairs is looking for students for the Fall 2012 Internship program. Please send your resumes to oaa@dc.gov. Below is a testimony from a former intern at OAA, Timi Mustapha:
 Timi Mustapha
I
truly loved my time at OAA. Although my time there was short, I consider the
skills and relationships I acquired there, to be lasting. I received my B.A. in
International Development and even as I worked throughout my undergraduate
career, I never quite got the chance to work in my field of study. OAA gave me
that first opportunity to work on projects that went beyond simple
administrative tasks, and dove into more substantive assignments. Working hands
on, as an integral part of a small but successful team, OAA helped to broaden my
perspective on what “development” could actually mean. As an international
service student, development had always has an international focus for me. Effectively,
OAA’s mission, projects and people, helped me to understand that service
domestically, specifically working to aid African immigrants here, could be just as important.
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What's New With Your Mayor?
Mayor Vincent C. Gray Announces One City Action Plan
Mayor Vincent C. Gray today unveiled the One City Action Plan,
a comprehensive strategy that describes in specific steps how the Mayor’s One
City vision will be achieved. Organized by goals, strategies and actions, the
plan provides District residents and business leaders alike with a concrete
roadmap to understand and measure progress and hold city officials accountable
in the areas that matter most to stakeholders. Picking up on the theme of
the mayor’s 2012 State of the District Address – “Seizing Our Future” – the
plan emphasizes the need to harness the tremendous change the District is
experiencing to remake and reinvent our city for the next generation.
D.C. Unemployment Rate Falls Again in June
Washington,
D.C.’s unemployment rate fell to 9.1 percent in June, according to new figures
from the federal Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The jobless rate stood at 9.1
percent, a drop of .2 percentage points from May. The report from the
federal Bureau of Labor Statistics – adjusted for seasonal employment – shows
that the total number of jobs in the District grew by 3,800 in June – including
2,000 private-sector jobs and 1,800 government-sector jobs. Since taking office
just 18 months ago, Mayor Gray's administration has created 24,300 private jobs
in the District and reduced unemployment by more than 2 full percentage points.
Mayor Vincent C. Gray Wishes Peace and Blessings to District's Muslim Community During Ramadan
Mayor Vincent C. Gray wished members
of the District’s Muslim community a blessed Ramadan. Observance of the holy
month of fasting, self-reflection, charity and atonement for Muslims began July
20th at sunset. “I would like to wish a ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ (Blessed Ramadan) to those fasting
and focusing on the values of obedience and willingness to sacrifice something
important for a greater cause,” Mayor Gray said. “As we hear the tragic news of
the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado, the Ramadan observance reminds
all of us of the common themes of valuing life, love, peace and justice that
Islam shares with other faith traditions. I join President Obama in calling for
prayer and reflection on this day and join families in the District of Columbia
and across the nation in expressing sympathy for the people of Colorado.”
Newsworthy
Ghana Swears in New President After Leader's Death
Ghanaian officials swore in a new president Tuesday, hours after the death of the West African nation's leader.
John Evans Atta Mills died suddenly at a military hospital Tuesday afternoon a few hours after becoming ill, Chief of Staff John Henry Martey Newman said in a statement. He was 68. In a ceremony broadcast on state television, John Dramani Mahama -- formerly Ghana's vice president -- became the country's new president and ordered that flags be flown at half-staff for a week.
African Union Elects its First Woman Leader
The African Union has elected Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to lead the 54-nation bloc after a hotly contested election.
The 63-year-old South African home affairs minister is the first woman to hold the post and is the ex-wife of South African President Jacob Zuma. Sunday's election, which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, follows a stalemate in January that left 69-year-old incumbent Jean Ping of Gabon in power after neither side could secure the necessary two-thirds majority.
Kenyans Mboya, Nyaga win CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Award
A story about an African tribe in India, long-forgotten and little-known, has garnered two Kenyan journalists the top prize at the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2012 Awards Ceremony. Tom Mboya and Evanson Nyaga's "The African Tribe in India," which aired on Kenya's Citizen Television, was selected from among 1,799 entries from 42 nations across the African continent on Saturday.
Mboya and Evanson, who were among 34 finalists for the top prize, also won the Television Features Award.
Culture May Be hidden Antidote in HIV Fight
After 30 years of battling the virus that causes AIDS, tactics to end the epidemic have become strategic and varied. From bus ads and billboards, to online campaigns and commercials, to the first-ever National HIV Strategy, the fight for an AIDS-free generation is officially on.
Efforts on the ground have met with success as the number of deaths due to AIDS-related causes has given way to people living longer with HIV. Despite the turnaround, many on the front line have sought ways to access communities that may be at higher risk for contracting HIV, particularly in the immigrant populations who may not see themselves as the target of HIV messages.
A Changing Landscape as Immigrants Transform Main Streets
The official count says 700 of Willmar's 19,610 residents are originally from Somalia, but city officials and Somali community leaders say the real number is at least 2,000. The city's Latino population has leveled off at 4,099 according to the latest U.S. census data.
In cities such as Rochester and Faribault, too, new immigrants have arrived, adding new flavors and customers to downtown areas.
Community Spotlight
Chime Asonye
Commissioner on Commission on African Affairs
OAA would like to congratulate Chime Asonye, Commissioner on the Mayor’s Commission on African Affairs for his nomination for the Excellence in Service (Government) category of The Future Awards (TFA) 2012. TFA recognizes the work of young Nigerians in their respective fields, and Chime is doing great work to help Nigeria achieve the U.N. Millennium Development Goals.
To read more about Asonye's nomination, click here.
 Nosarieme Garrick
My Africa Is
After writing for African-centered publications such as Afripop!, proudly Nigerian Nosarieme began to realize that her view of Africa was just as negative as the one shared by people all over the United States. "What we see in the media about Africa is not the whole picture. I wanted to fill the gaps in people's understanding," she said.
So, Nosa began the My Africa Is project. My Africa Is is an 8 part documentary series which takes the viewer across the continent through the eyes of an insider. While showing the issues on the continent, the documentary aims to change peoples' views of these problems and how they are tackled. The series will follow change-makers in 13 cities across Sub-Saharan Africa, and is slated to begin in early 2013 on the web.
"We hope that people will look at it as some kind of inspiration and understand that Africa is changing," Garrick said. "People should see that they can invest in Africa, rather than throwing AID at the continent. Africa's problems should be met in new ways, not with a 'one size fits all' approach."
According to Nosarieme, the African diaspora has an important role in changing the way people think about Africa. By supporting the project, the diaspora can do more than just defend the continent from limited views by helping to change and diversify those views little by little.
My Africa Is is an ongoing series, so it will be a show constantly in development.
Nosarieme is a writer, activist and entrepenuer who graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Communications and French from St. John's University.
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Business Square
Business Speed Networking
At Speed Networking, you'll have three minutes to introduce yourself and
your business in a format akin to speed dating. Speed Networking events are
hosted at some of Washington's most acclaimed restaurants and meeting spaces.
This month's Speed Networking is sponsored by the Shakespeare Theatre
Company, "the nation's foremost Shakespeare Company," says the Wall
Street Journal.
Date: 8/2/2012
Time: 8:30 AM To 10:30 AM
Location: Shakespeare Theatre Company 610 F Street, NW Washington, DC
20059
Phone: (202)
347-7201
Marketing Your Business in DC: Tools and Resources
In order to
successfully grow your business, you need to attract and retain a large base of
satisfied customers. An effective marketing program can help you achieve this
goal. Many think marketing is just advertising and promotions, but it comprises
the entire process companies use to gain and maintain a customer base. A
successful marketing program can be advantageous for your business to promote
awareness of your products and build strong customer relationships. In this
edition of the Doing Business 2.0, we will tackle the extensive topic of
Marketing. It is a crucial part of running a successful business and we bring
DC’s most valuable panel to walk you through the topic.
When: Wednesday,
August 15, 2012
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Where: Venable, LLP
575 7th Street, NW
8th Floor, Capitol Room
Cost: $10.00
Orientation for Free Business Counseling
In
order to be eligible for free one-on-one business counseling with a Business
Development Specialist at the DC WBC, clients must attend an Orientation.
Counseling is an engaging, focused and personalized resource. Prospective
clients will learn about the Center's services and resources and how the DC WBC
can help you achieve your goals. Whether you have been in business for years
and are looking to expand or whether you're just starting your business, come
find out what the DC Women’s Business Center can do for you! Networking from
6-6:30PM .Snacks provided. Reasonable accommodations will be made if requested
at least 2 weeks in advance. Contact Nicole@dcwbc.org for more info.
Date: Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Time: 6:00
PM to 08:30PM
Closing Date: Sunday, September 02, 2012 at
12:00PM
Location: 727 15th St., NW 8th Floor Washington,
DC 20005
Contact: Nicole@dcwbc.org
Fees: $
10.00
Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) Pre-Certification Orientation
The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) are
composing one-on-one evaluations for DC based-business, to determine
eligibility to become a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE). The CBE Program
provides contracting preference for local businesses so they can better compete
in contract and procurement opportunities with DC Government. Before applying
for the CBE program businesses must attend the CBE Pre-certification
Orientation. The orientation allows business representatives, detailed
instructions on the CBE application process and how to navigate the online
system.
Registration Deadline:
7/18/2012
Date: 7/19/2012
Time: (202) 727-3900
Contact:
Melissa Resil
To learn more, click here.
FastTrac DC Program Encouraging Small Business Growth
Kauffman FastTrac DC
is an innovative partnership designed to foster the growth and success of DC
small businesses. The program is being launched under Mayor Vincent Gray, Department
of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) to equip small businesses in DC
with entrepreneurial training. Through this program will help entrepreneurs in
Washington DC to develop the skills and networks needed to create, manage, and
grow successful businesses.
When: August
24 – 25, 2012
Where: The Wardman
Park Marriott Washington DC, USA
To learn more, click here.
Nonprofit Niche
How America's Biggest Companies Give
In this article, learn how much America's biggest companies gave in 2011, in both cash and products, and find out the causes they support and how they encourage employee giving. To find a corporation, search below or click from company to company using the bar chart.
Department of Health and Human Services Grants
Eligibility:
City
or township governments, county governments, special district governments,
public and state controlled institutions of higher education, state
governments, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, and public
housing authorities, private institutions of higher education, small businesses
and community-based organizations
Funding
Opportunity: Department of Health
and Human Services announces funds to support the development or expansion of
triage procedures for a subset of families who came to the attention of the
child welfare system due to severe housing issues and high service needs.
Funds:
$5,000,000 is available for five awards.
Deadline:
7/30/2012
Grant
ID: GD4675
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Grants
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations, public housing
authorities, community-based organizations and DC government agencies
Funding Opportunity: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
announces funds to support governmental and nongovernmental agencies and
organizations from multiple sectors to implement evidence based strategies that
align with their mission and to partner with agencies and organizations in
other sectors to improve community health.
Funds: $70,000,000 is available for 50 awards
Deadline: 7/31/2012
Grant ID: GD4676
The Mockingbird Foundation Grants
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations and State Educational
Agencies
Funding Opportunity: The Mockingbird Foundation announces funds to
encourage and foster creative expression in any musical form but also
recognizes broader and more basic needs within conventional instruction. The
foundation is interested in programs targeting children 18 years of age or
younger and benefit disenfranchised groups.
Funds: Awards available from $100 to $5,000.
Deadline: 8/1/2012
Grant ID: GD4678
Department of Labor Grants
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations, faith-based
organizations and community-based organizations
Funding Opportunity: Department of Labor announces funds to support
training and education programs for workers and employers on the recognition,
avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the
workplace.
Funds: $1,100,000
Deadline: 8/10/2012
Grant ID: GD4674
National Endowment for the Humanities Grants
Eligibility: City or township governments, county
governments, public and state controlled institutions of higher education,
state governments, nonprofit organizations and private institutions of higher
education
Funding Opportunity: National Endowment for the Humanities announces
funds to support the following formats: interactive digital media; film and
television projects; and radio projects. The grant provides funds from $40K to
$75K for development and $100K to $800K production projects.
Funds: $1,000,000
Deadline: 8/15/2012
Grant ID: GD4672
Humanities Council of Washington, D.C. Grants
Eligibility: The
Humanities Council is seeking proposals for innovative and informative
humanities projects that will benefit the people of Washington, DC!
Funding Opportunity: Major Grant ($1501 to $5000) proposals require a preliminary
application which can be submitted online. The Preliminary application is due
on August 3rd, and the final proposal is due August 31st.
Small Grant (up to $1500) proposals are due on August 31st.
Small grants are a great way to fund project planning, research, or preliminary
field work in advance of a major project
Funds: $1,500 - $5,000
Deadline: 8/3/12 and 8/21/12
Grant ID: GD4677
Ford Foundation Grants
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations and community-based
organizations
Funding Opportunity: Ford Foundation announces funds to support and
expand the community of filmmakers and media makers around the world who are
focused on creating documentaries with "passion and purpose" but who
often lack funding to realize their visions or reach audiences. This is a
five-year, $50 million initiative to help and support a new generation of
filmmakers whose works address urgent social issues.
Funds: $10,000,000
Deadline:
Open
Contact:
Ford
Foundation
Grant
ID: GD4677
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
The Sullivan Summit
The Sullivan Summits are organized by The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation and held biennially in an African nation to highlight key issues and best practices, stimulate discussion, define opportunities, promote private enterprise and foster high-level strategic partnerships.
The Biennial Leon H. Sullivan Summit is the embodiment of Leon Howard Sullivan’s dream to re-connect the nations and people of Africa with a displaced Diaspora spread out across the world. His concept was simple – knowledge of heritage and history is innately strengthening. Without a sense of history and ancestry, Africa’s lost sons and daughters cannot truly be free to reach their highest potential. This dream and the awe-inspiring reunion is realized every 2 years through the historic gatherings of the Sullivan Summit.
The New Deferred Action Program: Strategies for Success
As US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) readies its program and resources to implement the administration’s deferred action policy for qualified unauthorized immigrants under age 31, the agency is confronting a significant new workload and application process. The program presents challenges akin to those of handling both Temporary Protected Status needs in the aftermath of unexpected political or disaster events (such as hurricanes and earthquakes in Central America and Haiti) as well as legalization programs (such as enacted by the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act or the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act of 1997).
When: Tuesday, August 7, 2012
9:30 to 11 a.m.
Where: Migration Policy Institute
1400 16th Street, NW
Suite 300 (Third Floor)
Washington, DC 20036
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.
AARP
Experience Corps:
AARP Experience Corps District of Columbia is looking for academic
mentors who enjoy working with children and who are willing to volunteer 5 to
15 hours per week tutoring students who are struggling to read. If you are ready to help a child improve his or her reading
skills, please contact: Stephanie Endsley at
202-434-6495 or sendsley@aarp.org
Want to submit something to the Newsletter? Here's how!
Submitting events and resources to the OAA newsletter is simple. The newsletter is distributed to over 4,000 subscribers every two weeks on Friday - the next newsletter will be sent out on Friday, August 3rd, 2012.
Think of where your event or resource might go - is it something people would like to attend? Then it would go in the You should go! portion of the newsletter. If it is a business-related event, it would go in the Business Square, and so on.
Please include the following event details: what, where, when, and provide a link to more information. We cannot include any events AFTER the newsletter deadline, which is Wednesday at 5pm, until the next newsletter. Therefore, please ensure your submissions are in the Wendesday 5pm deadline.
Send all materials, along with any questions, to oaa@dc.gov. |
