OAA FrontPage:
Note from OAA Director
Dear Community Members, Colleagues and Partners,
Please join Mayor Vincent C. Gray and his Office on African
Affairs in ushering in an important
month, September, which has for the
first time in the District of Columbia been proclaimed by Mayor Vincent C. Gray
as “AFRICAN HERITAGE MONTH”.
It is with great
pride and pleasure that the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs announces a
month-long celebration of the long legacy and presence of African contributions
to the character and identity of this city and nation. The District of Columbia
joins several other jurisdictions in the country that have officially
proclaimed September as African Heritage Month.
Rescheduled due to weather conditions, the 3rd Annual DC Africa Festival will now be held on
Saturday, September 29th at the Banneker Recreation Center,
and serve as the celebratory culmination of the festivities and events that
will be held throughout this month to highlight contributions, accomplishments
and key issues that define the African immigrant experience locally and
nationally.
As part of the African Heritage Month celebration, the
Office on African Affairs is partnering with Phelps Stokes, Constituency for
Africa, the Africa Society and the Global Youth Information Network in hosting a panel discussion: “Next Generation
African Diaspora Youth." This event will be held at the John A. Wilson Building on Thursday,
September 20th from 2pm to 4:30pm (see details below).
We also invite you to celebrate African Heritage Month
through the arts by attending the highly anticipated premiere of Doctor Bello, the unprecedented, cross-cultural film
starring Isaiah Washington, Vivica A. Fox, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Genevieve Nnaji,
Stephanie Okereke, Bern Cohen and a host of Hollywood and Nollywood actors. The premiere will be held on Thursday
September 27th, 2012, at 7pm, at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing
Arts located on 2700 F Street, NW, Washington DC. Preceding the premiere on Wednesday September
26th from 1pm-3pm, a Q&A symposium will be held at Howard University
Blackburn Building Gallery.
We hope that you will celebrate African Heritage Month with
us by participating in these events, and by attending other events throughout
the District that are being organized to showcase the growing presence and vitality of the District's African community!
Ngozi Nmezi
Director, DC Mayor's Office on African Affairs
September Proclaimed "AFRICAN HERITAGE MONTH" by Mayor Vincent C. Gray!
 Panel Discussion: Next Generation of African Diaspora Youth
Join the DC Mayor’s Office on African Affairs, Phelps
Stokes, the Constituency on Africa, the Africa Society and the Global Youth
Information Network for a timely discussion: “Next Generation African Diaspora Youth:
Strategies for Capacity Development in Africa.” RSVP Now by emailing asimmons@phelpsstokes.org!
3rd Annual DC Africa Festival NEW DATE: September 29!!!
Saturday, September 29 - 12pm - 7pm
________________________________________________
The 3rd Annual DC Africa Festival has a NEW DATE!! Join us on Saturday, September 29th 2012 from 12-7pm at Banneker Community Center. Below are more details about the festival, and we hope to see you there!
Fall Internship Opportunities at OAA! Apply NOW!
OAA’s internship program offers hands-on experience and learning opportunities to University students, and young professionals seeking to engage in public service, while primarily serving the District’s African community. OAA interns will be involved in many aspects of the agency’s day-to-day work, participate in the implementation of program activities, and provide support to the staff, while learning about the District’s African community.
For more information on how to apply, please click here.
What's New With Your Mayor?
Mayor Vincent C. Gray to Help Launch District’s Groundbreaking Transgender and Gender Identity Campaign Sept. 13
Mayor Vincent C. Gray will join members of the District’s transgender and gender-non-conforming communities to launch the DC Office of Human Rights’ (OHR) groundbreaking gender-identity-rights campaign and unveil five advertisements featuring community members. The citywide campaign aims to promote awareness of, and understanding and respect for, the District’s transgender and gender-non-conforming communities; to reduce incidents of discrimination against members of these communities; and to increase reporting of instances of discrimination to OHR.
WHEN: Thursday, September 13, 2012
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
(Campaign unveiling will begin at 7 pm)
WHERE: MOVA Lounge
2204 14th Street NW
Third Set of Grade.DC.gov Pilot Agency Grades Show Progress
Mayor Vincent C. Gray has released the third set of monthly grades – covering the entirety of August – from the pilot Grade.DC.gov program, an advanced customer-service platform designed to provide the best possible feedback on, and analysis of, service delivery and customer care by District government agencies.
The grades show improved ratings for each of the five pilot agencies, chosen because their employees and online presences interact with large segments of the District’s residents and businesses on a daily basis. They are the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the Department of Public Works (DPW).
Mayor’s Gray's Vision for A Sustainable DC
Last summer, Mayor Gray announced a plan to make DC the
healthiest, greenest and most livable city in the nation. Since then, the
Office of Planning (OP) and the District Department of the Environment (DDOE)
have been leading the Sustainable DC planning process. Working together, these
agencies have engaged the city’s passionate residents, along with business
leaders, and District government staff to list hundreds of ideas for making the
city more sustainable. These ideas helped form “A Vision for a Sustainable DC,”
which achieves two goals: 1) sets a long-term vision for the city and 2)
provides a foundation to achieve the vision. Right now, a long term plan to
achieve the vision is being developed, with a draft anticipated this Fall. The
plan will set goals for the built environment, climate, energy, food, nature,
transportation, waste, water and the green economy. In the end, the Sustainable
DC plan will help bring more transportation options, better sources for healthy
food, lower energy bills, and cleaner air and water to all residents. More
importantly, it will connect city residents to jobs and improve quality of life
for residents in all Wards. In order to make the District the healthiest,
greenest and most livable city in the nation, all of the city’s neighborhoods,
businesses, government agencies and individuals need to work together in new
ways to achieve the goals listed in “A Vision for a Sustainable DC.” To find
out how you can be involved, or to learn more about the Sustainable DC plan,
please visit www.sustainable.dc.gov
or email sustainable.future@dc.gov. Newsworthy
 Rethinking the Achievement Gap: Lessons from the African Diaspora
(Astrid Riecken - for The Washington Post)Washington is the worst of any urban city in America. In Maryland, this gap between eighth-graders is second-worst of any state.
Despite it all, there is hope. There is a subgroup of black Americans in this country who continue to achieve at high levels, results that might provide some clues to solving one of our most persistent educational problems. First- and second-generation immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean, though only 13 percent of the nation’s blacks as a whole, represent 41 percent of all those of African descent at 28 selective universities and 23 percent of the black population at all public universities.
Meanwhile, census data show that the children of these immigrants were more likely to be college-educated than any other immigrant or U.S.-born ethnic group, including white Americans.
|
Chasing the Dream: Economic Challenges Black Immigrants Face in the 21st century
All immigrants to the United States have a shared story of struggle. They all know how difficult it is to try to navigate a foreign linguistic, political, cultural and economic system, in search of basic necessities. And, while most Black immigrants come to the U.S. in search of better economic opportunities, many are ill prepared for the enormity of economic challenges they are sure to face. Historically, European immigrants were able to gain citizenship, access jobs, and move up the economic ladder with relative ease. In the case of many Black immigrants, several of the immigrant friendly policies and programs that aided other immigrants have been drastically changed or eliminated. Black immigrants, unlike their European counterparts also have to contend with inter and intra group prejudice and discrimination, aimed at them for simply being Black in America, as well as from not being Black enough in some cases.
Is African food the next Chinese?
African grilled meats, spicy sauces and stews, and the vegetables, fruits, grains and root dishes traditionally served with them remain largely unknown to Americans. But for how much longer?
So far, the only African cuisine close to entering mainstream American dining are the distinctive delicacies of Ethiopian cuisine. Its small dollops of spicy stews and salads spread atop injera (a flat bread with the consistency of fresh dough) are nearly as familiar as South American specialties likeceviche.
Now – against the background of what’s been called a “phenomenal” influx of immigrants from Africa into the U.S. - there’s change afoot. American culinary circles are beginning to catch African aromas from across the continent. Avant garde diners and chefs – both Africans and others – are experimenting and popularizing them.
Business Square
The Women's Business Walk and Talk
DATE: Saturday, September 15, 2012
TIME-9:00-10:30AM
FREE EVENT!
1200 Independence Avenue SW
Join the Washington, DC Women's Business Center team for its periodic Women’s Business Walk & Talk, an easy, breezy morning walk where you will have the opportunity to meet other business professionals and chat as we stroll around the National Mall. As always, strollers, children, family, friends, and business colleagues are welcome. All you have to do is put on your walking shoes and come join the talk. Don’t forget to bring your business cards!
Practical Tax Planning For Your Small Business
Date: Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Time: 9:30 AM TO 11:30 AM
FREE EVENT!
As a Small Business owner, Tax planning
is crucial to building of your business. In this seminar, you will understand
-
Effective
separation of your business and your personal financial activity,
-
Selecting the best “tax entity” option to
produce the lowest business and personal tax liability
- Monthly reconciliation of your bank account
and monthly preparation of business financial statements including balance
sheet and income statement.
Business Networking Reception
Date:Thursday,
September 20 2012
Time:5:30-7:30pm
Fee: $40 (member);
$65 (non-member)
The Mansion on O
Street
2020 O Street NW
Washington D.C.,
20036
(202)347-7201
September’s BNR
will be hosted at the Mansion at O
Street, situated in the historic Dupont Circle neighborhood.
Whether you're a networking pro or new to the game, you can trust that you'll
walk away from this lively event with a number of new contacts and budding
relationships. Expect to make connections, expect to gather new resources,
expect the unexpected, but mostly, expect to have fun at this special event
series!
DC WBC Kauffman FastTrac New Venture
Date: Monday,
October 1 2012
Time:
6:00pm-9:00pm
Fee: $175
The DC WBC will
use award-winning business plan writing curriculum for companies that have been
open for less than five (5) years in this interactive 9 week course. This
course provides: Weekly evening classes, comprehensive textbook with
worksheets, One-on-one wrap-around business counseling and dynamic guest
speakers. The topics for this class are the following: Exploring
Entrepreneurship & Identifying and Meeting Market Needs; Setting Financial
Goals; Planning the Product or Service; Researching and Analyzing the Market;
Reaching the Market; Building the Organization & Team; Planning for a
Profitable Business; Monitoring Cash Flow & Seeking Funds; Implementing
Next Steps. Reasonable accommodations for disabled persons will be made if
requested at least 2 weeks in advance.
Contact
Nicole@dcwbc.org for more information.
AMDS- Annual Meeting and Development Showcase
Date: Wednesday, October 31 2012
Time: 10:00-12:00pm (development showcase),
12:00-2:00pm (annual meeting)
Where:
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place NW
Washington D.C. 20001
Join the Washington, DC Economic Partnership
at the Washington Convention Center to celebrate the District’s vibrant economy
with DC’s top business and community leaders.
Since 2001, the WDCEP's Annual Meeting &
Development Showcase (AMDS) has been the premier gathering of DC's top business
and community leaders to celebrate the District's vibrant economy. The half-day
program begins with the Development Showcase, the largest event of its kind,
featuring exhibitors representing almost every major commercial, retail, and
housing development in the District. The Development Showcase is followed by a
formal luncheon event that has attracted up to 1,000 attendees in past years,
featuring DC's top business leaders, entrepreneurs, real estate professionals
and local government officials.
Nonprofit Niche
Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)
Eligibility:
Unrestricted
Funding
opportunity: Corporation for National and Community
Service announces the release of the 2013 RSVP Competition Draft to provide all
potential applicants with additional time to become familiar with the
requirements and characteristics of this funding opportunity. CNCS plans to
release the final competition on or about September 1st.
Funds:
$16,000,000
is available for 270 awards with a match and a letter of intent is due
September 10th.
Deadline:
10/11/2012
Grant
ID: GD4704
Department of Commerce (DOC)
Eligibility:
City
or township governments, public and state controlled institutions of higher
education, state governments, nonprofit organizations and private institutions
of higher education
Funding
opportunity: Department of Commerce announces funds
to support climate research, observations, modeling, information management,
assessments, interdisciplinary decision support research, outreach, education,
and stakeholder partnership development related to NOAA's Next Generation Strategic
Plan
Funds:
$14,500,000
is available for 100 awards
Range:
$50,000-$200,000
Deadline:
11/6/2012 and a letter of intent is due August 29th.
Grant
ID: GD4705
Department of Health and Human Services
Eligibility:
City
or township governments, county governments, independent school districts,
special district governments, public and state controlled institutions of
higher education, state governments, nonprofit organizations, faith-based
organizations, public housing authorities, private institutions of higher
education, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small
businesses and community-based organizations
Funding
opportunity: Department of Health and Human Services
announces funds for short-term projects involving secondary analysis to assess
the public health and health cost impact on older populations, identify
potential differences in effectiveness and safety of different treatments for
patients with multiple conditions, examine alterations in safety or
effectiveness of treatment for multiple coexisting conditions, and address
methodological issues relevant to multiple chronic conditions such as validity
of data and confounding by indication.
Funds:
$1,000,000
Range:
Up to $200,000
Deadline:
10/11/2012
Grant
ID: GD4703
Department of Health and Human Services
Eligibility:
City
or township governments, county governments, independent school districts,
special district governments, public and state controlled institutions of
higher education, state governments, nonprofit organizations, faith-based
organizations, public housing authorities, private institutions of higher
education, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small
businesses and community-based organizations
Funding
opportunity: Department of Health and Human Services
announces funds to collaborate in developing and testing implementation
strategies and associated measures to improve the continuum of substance abuse
prevention and treatment services delivered to youth under juvenile justice
supervision.
Funds:
$5,000,000
is available for 6 awards
Deadline:
11/28/2012
Grant
ID: GD4706
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Eligibility:
Nonprofit
organizations
Funding
opportunity: Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation announces funds to support case studies that examine
facilitators and barriers to the success of select "accountable care
organizations" (ACOs), including an overview of each ACO's market,
environmental, and organizational contexts. ACOs generally describe a
coordinated network of providers with shared responsibility for providing high
quality and low cost care to the patients.
Funds:
Up
to $400,000 is available for 3 awards each
Deadline:
9/5/2012
Grant
ID: GD4708
John and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Eligibility:
Nonprofit
organizations
Funding opportunity: John
D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announces funds for documentary
projects that address the significant social challenges of our time or explore
important but under-reported topics. Domestic and international topics are
welcome and primarily support production and post-production activities of
experienced filmmakers in the U.S.
Funds:
50,000
to $200,000 is available for 8 to 12 awards
Deadline:
9/7/2012
Contact:
MacArthur
Foundation
Grant ID: GD4707
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Eligibility:
City
or township governments, independent school districts, public and state
controlled institutions of higher education, state governments and nonprofit
organizations
Funding Opportunity: Institute of Museum and Library
Services announces funds to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the
library and archives workforce to meet the information needs of the nation. The
program supports the following funding categories: Projects Grants ($50K to
$500K), Collaborative Planning Grants (up to $50K), and National Forum Planning
Grants (up to $100K).
Funds: $12,469,520
is available for 33 awards
Deadline: 9/24/2012
Range: $50,000-$500,000
Match: A
match is required
Grant ID:
GD4689
National Endowment for the Humanities Funds
Eligibility:
City or township governments, county governments, special district 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 for small grants to support the planning stages and encourage
the development of innovative projects that promise to benefit the digital
humanities.
Funds:
$60,000
Deadline:
9/25/2012
Contact:
NEH
Office of Digital Humanities at or odh@neh.gov
Grant
ID: GD4690
WAAW Foundation 2012-13 Scholarship Announcement
Eligibility: Female students of African origin living in Africa, less than 40 years, who have gained undergraduate admission to an institution of higher learning in Africa and studying a STEM related course. The candidate must demonstrate financial need and excellent academic record. Special consideration is given to orphans, underprivileged students, girls impacted by HIV and students in the first or second year of study.
Funding Opportunity: WAAW foundation is pleased to announce its 2012 scholarships, offering $500/year for
need-based female African students admitted to a University, College or institute of higher learning in Africa.
WAAW Foundation is a U.S. based nonprofit organization focused on Working to Advance African Women. The mission of WAAW to increase the pipeline of African women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) related fields, and work to ensure that this talent is engaged in African innovation.
Funds: $500 for the 2012/13 academic year, or the equivalent in their country’s local currency
Deadline: 10/30/2012
Contact: WAAW Foundation
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
Leadership
Exchange
The Center
for Nonprofit Advancement’s Leadership Exchange gives leaders a rare
opportunity to turn their focus inward. The series provides a safe space for
our most accomplished leaders to share experiences that spark continued growth
and help to address every day challenges.
Next Level
Communications
In this
dynamic and interactive four-part series, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement
has assembled a team of seasoned experts to assist nonprofit executives to
galvanize their skill sets as communicators, forge powerful new strategies as
spokespeople and capture the attention of key constituents.
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
Alliance Community Forum: September 8th
Ethiopian New Year - ENKUTATASH Celebration in Washington D.C.
Join the Ethiopian-African 2000 Millennium Group has been working since September 2011 to produce ?ENKU-TA-TASH?, Ethiopian New Year 2005 on Sunday September 9/2012 on the grounds of the Washington Monument in Washington DC.
WHAT: Ethiopian
New Year - 2005
WHEN: Sunday,
September 09, 2012
1:00 PM
to 11:00PM
WHO: Ethiopian
African Millennium Group
WHERE: Washington
Monument / Sylvan Theater GPS Coordinates: 38.889463, -77.035237
15th Street
and Independence Avenue NW
AFRICA BRAINTRUST: "Africa Rising - A Continent of Opportunity"
On Friday, September 21st,
Ranking Member of the House Africa Subcommittee, Representative Karen Bass,
will host a day-long (9AM-5PM) forum on Africa’s political, economic, security
and development situation. Previously led by the late Rep. Donald Payne, the
Africa Braintrust is held during the Congressional Black Caucus
Foundation’s (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., and
provides an outlet to highlight the mission of CBCF to develop leaders, to
inform policy and to educate the public. The 2012
Africa Braintrust features a distinguished keynote address, a cultural
presentation and panels with policymakers, academics, advocates and industry
experts.
Your Government Wants to Hear From You!
As a District resident and stakeholder, don't miss these three
opportunities for input into District government programs and practices. DC government has several surveys open for input:
The surveys close by mid-September so be sure to
participate soon. And please share with
colleagues, family members, and neighbors!
Africans Against Cancer: 8th Annual 5K Walk-a-Thon
Join AWCAA and OAA for the 8th annual 5k Walk-A-Thon. Join the global fight against breast cancer, and bring a flag to represent your country of origin.
The Walk-A-Thon will take place on Saturday, September 15, 2012. Register now, at the link below!
For more information and registration, click here. 
Know Your Rights Presentation
5th Annual Tenant & Tenant Association Summit
The D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate will present its 5th
Annual Tenant & Tenant Association Summit on Saturday, September 22, 2012,
from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The summit serves as a forum to bring together tenants,
tenant associations, housing attorneys and advocates, policy experts, community
leaders, and District officials to discuss matters of concern to the District’s
tenant community.
9th Annual Immigration Law and Policy Conference
The conference will offer
thoughtful, evidence-based law and policy analysis and discussion of
cutting-edge immigration issues. Featured panelists will include high-ranking
government officials, academics, advocates, and other immigration
experts.
Topics will
include an analysis of the role of states and the federal government in
immigration enforcement, as well as the effects of litigation; immigration
policy and the 2012 presidential campaigns; the implementation of the
Administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and other hot
topics in legal service provision; and issues in protection for refugees,
asylees and immigrant children.
When: October 1, 2012
Where: Georgetown University Law Center, Bernard P. McDonough Hall, Hart Auditorium
600 New Jersey Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(Entrance on 2nd Street, NW between F St. & Mass Ave.)
Time: 9am-5pm
2012
Mayor’s Annual Disability Awareness Expo
This FREE
event is for all the DC residents and consumers with and without a disability
to share information and valuable resources; build new relationships;
participate in activities that are fun, relaxing and empowering!
Featuring:
-
Health
& Wellness
-
Aerobics
-
Employment
Workshops
-
DC
Lottery BINGO
-
WMATA
-
Kids
Sensory Story-time
-
Students
Programs
-
DC
Government Agencies
- And much
more
When: October 10, 2012
Where: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library
901 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Time: 10am-3pm
5th Annual African Women's Empowerment Workshop
Family Navigator Training - Calling ALL Parents!
Advocates
for Justice and Education is offering a FREE series on various topics for
families of children with special needs. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to get back
into the swing of things for this upcoming school year. For those of us
who work directly with families, you know how important it is for parents and
guardians to understand the special education process and their rights.
When: August 21-September 12th
Where: AJE SE Office located at 1012 Pennsylvania Ave, SE (near Eastern Market Metro Station on the Blue and Orange LInes)
Time: 5:30-7pm
Calling All Girls! Learn How to Get What You Want (PROGRESS - PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH AND OUTREACH ON GENDER EQUITY IN SOCIETY)
Girls today are faced with a myriad of challenges. A never ending stream of media and advertising imagery dictates how girls should look and act. Instead of a period of innocence, their girlhood is fraught with confusing, conflicting, and unhealthy messages about sexuality, power, and consumption. Girls may not know how to ask for help if they need it and often don’t feel in control of the choices they make. Teaching girls to negotiate equips them with a skill to make better decisions, improve their relationships, reduce conflict, and take more control over their lives.
Girls ages 7-12, join us for fun, food and entertainment!
• Keynote Speaker Molly Barker
- Founder and Vision Keeper of Girls on the Run International
• Performances by the Georgetown University Step Team
• Games, Activities and Much More!
Participants Learn To
• Build confidence as effective negotiators
• Recognize more situations as negotiable
• Embrace negotiation as preferable to accepting the status quo,
engaging in direct conflict, or giving up
When: September 22, 2012
Where: United States Capitol
Time: 8:30 am-1pm
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. |
