Over 35 African Small Businesses Discuss the Great Streets Initiative
 On Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013, the DC Mayor’s Office on African Affairs (OAA) partnered with the Deputy Mayor’s Office on Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) to host an Information Session for African-owned businesses to learn about the Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvement Grant. This session was held at the Howard University School of Business in Northwest Washington DC. With over thirty five small businesses in attendance, the session provided a wonderful space for DC small businesses to learn about the initiative and ask questions on eligibility requirements, guidelines, and the overall application process.
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Job Circle Keeps Growing!
The DC Mayor’s Office on African Affairs, in collaboration with the DC Department of Human Resources has successfully held 5 Job Circles to date! OAA's bi-monthly Job Circles are ongoing sessions which combine individual goal-setting and accountability with topic-specific mini-training. The last job circle held on Tuesday, January 22nd was filled with vibrant conversations with old and new attendees sharing their job search triumphs and tribulations. Through an inspiring lecture by DCHR’s Willair St. Vil, attendees discovered the power of networking and how one luncheon can launch a career. Their homework for the next meeting is to use the information packets to build strong resumes and narrow their job search to find at least 2 jobs that best fit their work abilities because each attendee will be participating in a mock interview.
 It's not too late to join! The 6th Job Circle will be held on Tuesday, February 5th from 4:30-6:30pm.The focus of the next job circle will be titled ‘Branding Yourself’ where attendees will use what they learned about themselves from the job search assessment to find the best ways to promote their abilities and have a successful interview. Experienced professionals will be on-site to help attendees and provide feedback. If interested, come dressed for the mock interview with resumes, practiced answers, and ready to participate in a interview preparation workshop.
 Learn More, RSVP, & Flyers in French & Amharic
OAA Recruiting French & Amharic Speaking Interns!
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. OAA is currently looking to fill 2 internship positions, ideally with candidates with Amharic, French, or other African language skills!
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Public Notice: DC Mayor's Commission on African Affairs' Upcoming Meeting
 The DC Mayor’s Commission on African Affairs routinely meets on the second Wednesday of every month, and the order of its meetings begins with an open (public) session at 6:00pm. Commission of African Affairs (COAA) meetings are typically held at 2000 14th Street, NW, Suite 400 North, Washington, DC 20009. The next COAA meeting will be on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 6:00PM.
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Mayor Vincent C. Gray to Deliver 2013 State of the District Address on February 5th
Mayor Vincent C. Gray will deliver the 2013 State of the District Address, where he will report on the status of the city and his administration and outline his agenda and priorities for the coming year.
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Mayor Vincent C. Gray at 57th Presidential Inauguration
At City Hall in D.C. January 21st, the goal for the District is visibility. The plan is to draw attention to D.C.'s lack of autonomy in gestures: the sign outside the Wilson Building viewing stand calling for full democracy, the White House decision to carry the "Taxation Without Representation" on the presidential limo. And while D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray says he's happy with all of the day's actions, he's hoping the message of President Barack Obama's inaugural address applies to D.C. as well. Gray says he wants to President to push for more District autonomy during next month's State of the Union address.
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Giving Citizens the Tools to Grade Their Government
Better and faster public services can be driven by improving the collection and visualization of customer data provided by citizens. Increasingly, cities are turning to 311 customer service systems to track the resolution of complaints. This holds promise, but with a little more effort cities can create platforms to drive powerful enhancements to both customer satisfaction and resource allocation. Washington, D.C.'s Grade.DC.Gov is an ambitious effort to provide such a platform. Grade.DC.Gov solicits, mines, measures and displays resident satisfaction and reviews, placing emphasis on the most important outcome -- the quality of government services as perceived by the citizens being served.
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District’s Unemployment Rate at 8.5 Percent for December 2012
Mayor Vincent C. Gray today said new federal figures showing a slight uptick in the District’s unemployment rate last month underscore the need for federal officials to end the uncertainty around budget sequestration and for District officials double down on efforts to continue growing the economy and connecting DC residents with jobs.
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New approaches from Washington to doing business with Africa
 President Obama said in November: “Sub-Saharan Africa is a region of extraordinary opportunity for growth and economic development.” With some of the highest growth rates in the world, highest rates of return on investment, an expanding middle class and growing global interest, the continent has been at the forefront of recent policy discussions. However, these discussions often come with criticism of the United States’ and particularly the Obama administration’s failure to engage the region. The recent Doing Business in Africa (DBIA) Campaign, launched by the Department of Commerce as a follow-up to President Obama’s Africa Strategy, may signal that the US is finally changing course — but is the US doing enough?
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African Immigrants Hope for a Chicago Community of Their Own
 One of the city's fastest-growing immigrant groups seeks a Chicago community on par with Chinatown, Hispanic enclave at 26th StreetOver the past decade, the 700 block of East 79th Street has undergone a transformation that points to another shift in Chicago's ethnic landscape.
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Musicians of the Diaspora Get Their Global Groove On
 Intercontinental inspiration mixes with Africa in the work of these talented artists who are global stars on the music scene. If Fela Kuti hadn’t left Nigeria to study music in London in 1958, there would be no Afrobeat today. We talk to a globetrotting generation of musicians, whose roots stretch from Rwanda to Romania, about how their lives in the diaspora have influenced their style and sound in Africa.
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African Immigration has Increased in Recent Years
 In the past 20 years, there has been a 200 percent increase in African immigrants to the United States from countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana and Kenya. According to a study called "New Streams: Black African Migration to the United States," Black Africans are among the fastest-growing groups of U.S. immigrants who are traveling here seeking U.S. citizenship. In 2009, African immigrants of all races made up about 4 percent of the nation's total of 38 million immigrants. Another study conducted by Rice University showed that Nigerian-Americans are the most educated group of individuals in America, as they are much likely to attend college than any other immigrant group.
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One-on-One Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) Application Consultation
At this consultation, the Business Certification Specialist will review the application checklist and supplemental documents to verify the completeness of the application. CBE applicants have ten (10) business days, from the date the online application is submitted, to meet with a Specialist in a one-on-one consultation.
Date: Wednesday, January 30, 2013
RSVP by: Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Time: 9:30 - 10:00AM
Location: DSLBD Small Business Resource Center
441 4th St. NW Ste. 970N, Washington, DC 20001-2714
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Small Business Financing and Loan Day
Join WACIF and Capital One as we discuss "Preparing a Winning Loan Application" and "The Value of Financial Statements." You will also have the opportunity to meet with a banker to discuss your financing needs and answer any questions you may have.
When: January 30, 2012
Time: 12:00 - 2:00PM
Location: 1007 H Street NE - HR-57 Center for Preservation of Jazz and Blues
*Lunch will be included
Learn More & RSVP
DCRA SBRC Corporations and Office of Tax and Revenue Workshop
Gain in-depth knowledge of how to organize or register a nonprofit organization, or receive more information on how to apply for Tax Exempt status in the District of Columbia. Some of those questions will be answered during this workshop. Subject matter experts from DCRA’s Corporations Division and the Office and Tax Revenue will provide updates regarding corporate filings, dates and timelines, non-profit regulations, on-line filings, and qualifications on exempt organizations in D.C.
Dae: January 30, 2013
Time: 5:00 - 7:00PM
Location: Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs 1100 4th Street, SW, Room E-4302 (4th Floor); Washington DC, 20024
Metro Station: Waterfront (Green Line)
Learn More & Register
If you need further assistance with registering for this seminar, please contact Jacqueline Noisette (DCRA) at jacqueline.noisette@dc.gov or (202) 442-8170.
*Leveraging Your Capital Sources to Acquire External Financing*
This seminar will offer insight to small & medium-size businesses on how to capitalize on internal capital sources and to successfully navigate business growth through proper external funding channels. The speaker for this seminar is Mrs. Lucretia Freeman-Buster, Small Business Financial Advisor, and DC Chamber of Commerce Foundation. She has over 25 years of professional experience in all aspects of commercial and retail banking with specific experience in Banking & Financial Management, Commercial Lending, Small business & Micro-Credit Lending, Business Training, and Small Business Development.
Date: Tuesday, February 05, 2013
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 AM
Where: DC Chamber of Commerce
506 9th ST NW, Washington, DC 20004
Phone: (202) 347-7201
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DC Women’s Business Center and the Women Veteran Entrepreneur Corps Host a Pitch Party!
This interactive workshop will teach you how to gain customer attention in 2 minutes or less. This workshop will give you the opportunity to: Practice your two-minute business pitch. Receive expert feedback on how to make your pitch work best for growing your business. Network with other women veteran entrepreneurs to foster a community of motivation and support.
Date: Wednesday, February 06, 2013
Time: 6:00 - 8:00PM
Cost: $0
Location: 727 15th Street, NW 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20005
Register at: WVEC@countmein.org (Registration is required) by 12:00PM on February 6, 2013
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*Power Lunch with Dr. Bernard Demczuk*
In honor of the DC Chamber of Commerce’s 75th anniversary, our first Power Lunch of 2013 will feature Dr. Bernard Demczuk, Vice President of Government Relations for The George Washington University. Join us for an intimate and engaging conversation that will take a comprehensive look back at the Chamber and its founding principles, as well as the history of African Americans and business in the District. Dr. Demczuk will also shed light on how to use your chamber membership to get more visibility and exposure for your business. Also joining us for this session will be Donna Ginter, Director of Procurement for The George Washington University, who will speak to how you can access procurement opportunities with the university.
Date: Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Time:12:00 - 1:30 PM
Place: Ben's Next Door
1211 U Street NW Washington, DC 2000
Phone: (202) 347-7201
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Learning How To Do Taxes For Your Business
In the WDCEP’s effort to attract, retain and grow businesses in the District, this initiative is a critical educational tool and resource for all those doing business in the nation’s capital. Come and hear from a diverse and distinguished panel of tax expert. Come early to network and meet fellow entrepreneurs at 8:30 am and the session will begin at 9:00 am.
Date: Wednesday, February 13 2013
Time: 8:30 - 10:30AM
Location: Venable, LLP
8th Floor, Capitol Room
575 7th Street NW, Washington, D.C.
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DHCD to Host Pre-Solicitation and Capacity Building Workshop Series
The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announces it will host a Pre-Solicitation and Capacity Building Workshop Series to increase awareness of available local and federal funding sources and to explore potential partnership opportunities for non-profit and for profit organizations. The opening workshop will provide an overview of DHCD’s programmatic activities, funding sources, potential funding opportunities and upcoming property dispositions.
When: Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Time: 11:00AM
Location: Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC), 1901 Mississippi Avenue SE.
*Workshops will be also be held on February 27, 2013 and March 27, 2013 to complete the series.
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DC Nonprofit Corporation Code
Did you miss your chance to learn about the DC Nonprofit Corporation Code that went into effect in 2012? It is not too late. The DC Office of Partnerships and Grant Services, in conjunction with the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program is offering a seminar on the provisions of the new Nonprofit Code, and how they may impact your organization.
When: Thursday, February 21, 2013
Time: 9:00 - 11:30AM
Location: Williams & Connolly LLP
725 12th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(Metro Center Metro Station)
Learn More & Register
Free Nonprofit Legal Services
The D.C. Bar’s Community Economic Development Project (CED) assists nonprofit organizations in obtaining pro bono legal counsel. The CED Project provides help in such areas as corporate governance, contract review, government grant compliance and real estate, employment and tax law.
For more information, contact Lauren Paley at 202-737-4700, x3357 or lpaley@dcbar.org.
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*GRANT: Fiscal Year 2013 Mathematics and Science Partnerships Grant Program
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education announces funds to support partnerships that will increase the academic achievement of students in mathematics and science by enhancing the content knowledge and teaching skills of classroom teachers.
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*GRANT: Challenge America Fast-Track Application
National Endowment for the Arts announces funds to support projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations -- those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability.
Learn More or contact NEA Web Manager directly at webmgr@arts.gov
*GRANT: Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency - Service Coordinators Program
Department of Housing and Urban Development announces funds to support programs that enable participating families to increase earned income, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance.
Learn More or contact Dina Lehmann-Kim directly at (202) 402-2430 or Dina.Lehmann-Kim@hud.gov
*GRANT: Services for Disadvantaged Women, Children, & Families
The TJX Foundation announces funds to support programs that provide a wide range of innovative, effective services for disadvantaged women, children, and families in the areas of civic/community, domestic violence, education, health, and social services.
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*GRANT: Youth Violence Prevention Initiative
Roy A. Hunt Foundation announces fund to support programs that work to address and prevent youth violence primarily in the disadvantaged, inner city neighborhoods. Preference will be given to programs that focus on multiple risk factors across the individual, family-, school, peer group and community-level domains.
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*GRANT: J.L. Simmons Non-Profit PR Grant
Neotrope®, a highly respected PR, brand identity and marketing firm, will provide grants valued at $25,000 to $50,000 in the form of in-kind public relations services to 10 qualified small USA non-profit organizations.
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Research Study: Mental Healthcare Use Among Black Immigrants
Howard University Department of Psychiatry, in collaboration with Dartmouth College, is conducting a research study to learn about barriers to mental healthcare among immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean.
Didier Anton Saint-Cyr, M.D., Research Assistant Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Howard University, College of Medicine
202-865-0097. Emale didieranton.saintcyr@Howard.edu for more information.
Project BEAT IT Webinar: Becoming Empowered Africans Through Improved Treatment of Diabetes, Hepatitis B, and HIV/AIDS
 The course is taught by a Dr. Ijeoma Otigbuo, a Nigerian professor of microbiology and immunology, and Mrs. Adeline Assani-Uva, a Ghanaian registered dietician, both of who have several decades of expertise in their respective fields. Eligible participants will receive a $25 gift card for participating in the online training and another $25 gift card in four months if they allow us to contact them and ask a few follow up questions. Please note that the primary rationale for this web-based training is to reduce stigma and protect anonymity and we intend to follow IRB and HIPAA guidelines in all interactions with participants.
Date: Friday, February 22, 2013
Time: 12:00 - 1:00PM
Cost: Free
Why Place and Race Matter
The report examined the growing movement in California and around the nation to build healthy communities where all residents have opportunities to participate and thrive. This update, Why Place & Race Matter, delves into these issues. Dynamic groups and initiatives are featured to illuminate action at the intersection of health, place, and race. With this report, we hope to further inspire creative thinking, new partnerships, innovative strategies to achieve sustainable change, and continued momentum in the movement to build healthy, opportunity-rich communities.
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Miracle Maker Leadership Council Application Open
The Miracle Maker Leadership Council (MMLC) is a select group of current and future leaders in the financial community whose mission is to provide funding to cancer fighting causes and patient care programs where such support is not always readily available. The MMLC is charged with strengthening the Expect Miracles Foundation's position as the industry's leading advocate in the war on cancer through financial support, example and leadership. Submit electronic applications to: info@expectmiraclesfoundation.org on or by February 11, 2013.
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MCH-Public Health Leadership Institute
This executive-education program is designed to significantly expand self-awareness and quickly build practical skills for effectively leading, managing people, and building partnerships, to advocate for and create the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) systems of tomorrow. This unique program will improve your leadership capacity, teaching you how to create the kind of organizational culture that engages and motivates others.
Application deadline: Friday, February 1, 2013
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Disparities Leadership Program
The Disparities Leadership Program (DLP) is a year‐long executive education program designed for leaders from hospitals, health plans and other health care organizations who want a) develop a strategic plan or b) advance a project to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care, particularly through quality improvement.
Application deadline: Friday, February 8, 2013
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Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program
The DFC Program is a collaborative effort directed by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). The DFC Program has two goals: 1.Establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies, and federal, state, local, and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth*. 2.Reduce substance use among youth and, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse.
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Registration for DPR Summer Camps Begins February 4th
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announces it's summer camp registration, dates and information for the 2013 Summer Camp season. For Summer 2013, DPR will offer a new rolling registration period from Monday, February 4, 2013 through Thursday, February 14, 2013 for District residents. Open Registration for non-District residents will open on Monday, March 4, 2013 at 10:00AM. Registration can be completed online or in person at the DPR summer camps office located at Columbia Heights Recreation Center - 1480 Girard Street, NW 4th floor. Space fills on a first-come, first-serve basis and enrollment is subject to availability. It is recommended that parents create an online DPR account for all campers in the DPR registration system prior to the registration period, in order to be best prepared.
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Call for Workshop Proposals: Protection, Resettlement & Integration - Trends and Challenges in Serving African Refugees and Immigrants
The Ethiopian Community Development Council is issuing a call for workshop proposals for the 19th Annual National Conference to be held on May 16-17, 2013 at the Sheraton Pentagon City in Arlington, Virginia. Workshops should be focused on a chosen topic, actively engage the audience, and provide participants with a substantial learning experience.
Submission Deadline: February 1, 2013
For more information, please contact Senay Gebremedhin at senayhg@ecdcus.org.
Attention Artists & Art Organiztaions! DCCAH now accepting applications for FY13 grants!
The DC
Commission on the Arts & Humanities offers several funding programs for
individuals and nonprofit organizations located in the District of Columbia. As of December 12, 2012, ZOOM Gants is
available for applicants to submit their applications. Note that the DCCAH is
offering 5 new funding opportunities for FY2013! Deadlines approaching!
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Are you a DC Tenant with concerns? Bring your questions to a live Q&A chat with OTA!
The D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate holds a monthly chat session online to
answer live questions from the tenant community. Generally the sessions are
held on the last Tuesday of every month. To submit a question beforehand,
please email Horace.Lassiter@dc.gov. Pre-submitted and live questions will be answered during
the chat session.
Next Live Chat will be on Tuesday, January 29 from 1-2pm.
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The Mayor’s Advisory Committee Citizens Review Panel
Come join the Mayor's Advisory Committee Citizen Review Panel and help improve outcomes for the city's most vulnerable children and youth.
Requirements/ Commitment:
1.
Meeting quarterly/
DC resident
2. Two (2) year
commitment
3.
18 years or older
4.
Interest in child
abuse and neglect, foster care and related issues and be willing to advise the
Mayor on such matters.
Interested? Then email nyangoniBet@aol.com or elanifreeman@hotmail.com. For additional information call 202-554-8040.
Learn Amharic - A Language of Ethiopia
Sankofa Video, Books & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW in Washington is offering classes in Amharic starting in January 2013. The introductory and advance courses will each be for 8 weeks and cost $250 each.
For more information call 202.234.4755.
Emerging Institutions Fellowship Program (Small Business Corps Africa)
The Emerging Institutions Fellowship Program (EIFP) provides hands-on service opportunities for emerging young business leaders (MBA students and business professionals) from around the world in financial institutions and private equity and venture capital firms in Nigeria and South Africa.
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Want your event listed in "The African Beat"?
'The African Drum' is distributed to over 4,500 subscribers every other Friday. If you would like to submit your event to be included in our calendar, please submit the following event details: what, when, & where, and provide a link to where readers can go for more information. Submission deadline for the next edition is Wednesday, February 6th at 5:00PM (Send all materials, along with any questions, to oaa@dc.gov).
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