Check out the noteworthy accomplishments in the District’s African community this month!
 Hareg Messert, Owner of Chez Hareg Gourmet Bakery with her business partner, George Ayel.
Hareg Messert always knew her passion was in baking.
After several years of working in restaurants and studying culinary arts at Stratford University, Messert was able to open her own business in DC: Chez Hareg Gourmet Bakery.
But this popular 8,000 square foot Northeast bakery is in the process of getting a major facelift.
With the help of the newly awarded $85,000 DC government Great Streets grant, Messert and her business partner, George Ayel, are planning on turning what was once a small bakery to an entire organic market on H Street.
The Great Streets Initiative is a multi-year, multiple-agency effort to transform nine under-invested corridors into thriving and inviting neighborhood centers using public actions and tools as needed to leverage private investment.
Ayel attended an information session in January for African-owned businesses, hosted by the DC Mayor’s Office on African Affairs (OAA) and the Deputy Mayor’s Office on Planning and Economic Development (DMPED). He said this session was “very helpful” in introducing them to information about the grant.
This market will act as a community grocery, bakery and organic market to promote healthy, local food consumption in both the Ethiopian community and wider District of Columbia community.
The market aims to stock DC with all-natural, local, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and artificial preservative free foods –produce ranging from fruits and vegetables, meat products to of course, sweets.
Ask Investment Corp dba Dollar Plus Savings on 7th Street and Stop and Go Market on Sherman Avenue NW are two other African owned businesses who have been awarded the ‘Great Street' grant through DMPED’s initiative.
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 Mayor Vincent C. Gray at All Ethiopian Sport Association
One Opening Ceremony on June 30th
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Mayor Gray Welcomes DC Streetcar New Hires
Mayor Gray stopped by the District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) Anacostia Testing and Commission Site to meet DC Streetcar’s newest hires. All seven employees on the team are District residents hailing from Wards 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The team is led by RATP Dev McDonald Transit (RDMT), the firm with which the District has contracted to operate the new streetcar network.
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Mayor Gray Hosts Ward 7 Economic Development Summit
On Saturday, Mayor Gray hosted a Ward 7 Economic Development Summit to engage the community in efforts to enhance economic development throughout the ward. In particular, he engaged area residents in discussions about how the community, the government and the private sector can work together to improve retail, strengthen existing neighborhood centers, and identify priorities for future investments in Ward 7.
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In Weekly Radio Address, Mayor Gray Highlights District’s Outstanding Fiscal Performance
Mayor Vincent C. Gray used his weekly radio address this week to highlight new revenue estimates from the District’s Chief Financial Officer that show the District’s robust growth to be a trend with staying power.
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From refugee to MLS player and US citizen - Danny Mwanga
Danny Mwanga is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, but now living in the United States and playing in Major League Soccer (MLS). Nothing too remarkable about that, you may say, except this is a young man who was forced to flee his homeland in the aftermath of the civil war, and on Monday was awarded US citizenship.
His story is chilling, horrifying, yet inspirational.
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Obama in Africa: 'Let's do business'
US President Barack Obama's tour of Africa ended as it had begun, with a nod to history. As he made his first extended visit to the continent, President Obama's message was in essence: "Let's do business."
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Visit shows that Obama remains symbol of hope to many in Africa
During President Obama’s first extended trip to Africa, 4½ years after he entered the White House, there was a palpable sense that he remained a symbol of hope, despite any disagreements over his policies.
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President Obama Announces the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders
President Obama announced the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, the new flagship program of the President’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Beginning in 2014, the program will bring more than 500 young African leaders to the United States each year for leadership training and mentoring.
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Vetting Potential Overseas Partners
Successful businesses abroad requires proper due diligence of potential business partners. This presentation will provide a detailed overview of how to conduct this critical process. Topics covered include discussion on vetting potential partners and how to obtain necessary information about the potential partner. Common, easy-to-use tools such as questionnaires and checklist will be provided and discussed.
Time: Monday, July 17, 2013 | 9:00 AM TO 10:30 AM
Location: DC Chamber of Commerce │ 506 9th ST, NW
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Business Networking Reception with DC Chamber Board of Directors
Access--it can make all the difference to your business' success. This special edition of our BNR series is designed to give our members access to some of the most important people in the District's business community--our Board of Directors. Don't miss this chance to network with DC's major players at the iconic Sequoia Restaurant on the Georgetown Waterfront.
Time: Sunday, July 07, 2013 | 5:30 PM TO 7:30 PM
Location: Sequoia Restaurant │ 3000 K St.
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Obama Announces Trade Africa Partnership
The president announced the launch of Trade Africa, a new partnership between
the United States and sub-Saharan Africa that seeks to increase internal and
regional trade within Africa, and expand trade and economic ties between Africa,
the United States, and other global markets.
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Workshop Training : Powered by ProBono
The Foundation Center of Washington DC is sponsoring a "Powered by ProBono" workshop.
At this event, you will learn how your nonprofit can be "powered by pro bono" services. At this session, you will learn about: Pro bono resources in the Washington, DC area and how to approach and work with pro bono providers
Time: July 23, 2013│10:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: The Foundation Center │ 1627 K Street NW, Third Floor
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Grants for Collaborative Programs
LEGO Children’s Fund announces funds to support programs in early childhood education and development that are directly related to creativity and technology and communication projects that advance learning opportunities.
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21st Century Solutions
The NBC Universal Foundation is partnering with NBC Washington to launch 21st Century Solutions, a grant challenge for local non-profit organizations implementing new and innovative programs. Now through July 31, the foundation is looking for fresh ideas that are moving the community forward. The competitive grant program is open to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations that are implementing progressive programs that address emerging or ongoing community challenges in the areas of Civic Engagement, Education, Environment, Jobs and Economic Empowerment, Media Arts and Technology.
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Walmart Foundation State Giving Program
Walmart Foundation announces funds to support programs in the areas of education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, health, and hunger relief.
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Workshop: Starting and Sustaining a Nonprofit Organization
The Washington DC Economic Development Partnership is sponsoring a workshop on Starting and Sustaining a Nonprofit Organization. A panel of experts will present the steps to start a nonprofit and also resources available to help nonprofits in capacity building, fundraising, collaboration and growth for nonprofit organizations. Panelist will include Lafayette Barnes, Director, DC Office of Partnerships and Grant Services, George Constantine, Partner at Venable LLP, and Diana Peacock, Director, Community Wealth Partners. The event will take place at Venable, LLP located at 575 7th street, NW.
Time: July 10, 2013│9:00AM - 10:30AM
Location: Venable, LLP │ 575 7th Street, NW Washington, DC
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National Institutes of Health – Seeking Africans for Study
A study that is being conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is recruiting healthy black African men and women to better understand diabetes and heart disease risk in Africans. Candidates must be born in Africa and 18-65 years old. Participation requires 3 visits and compensation provided. Refer to study # 99-DK-0002. For more information, call (301) 402-7119.
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HIV Screenings
For ages 13-24, by Metro Teen Aids, with information on how to live a healthy life.
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Health and computer literacy workshop
A presentation on navigating health-care Web sites, by the Project of Intermediate Advocates. Bring a flash drive or WiFi-enabled device.
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New Webinars on the Health Care Law
The HHS Partnership Center continues to host a series of webinars for faith and community leaders. All webinars are open to the public and include a question and answer session.
When: July 11 at 2:00 (Register) |August 7 at 3:00 (Register)
Mental illness support group
For family and friends of those recovering from mental health problems.
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Office on Aging Ambassador Program Training Workshop
The DCOA Ambassador Program is a FREE, interactive program designed to reach out
to older adults and their caregivers to help them learn about DCOA programs and
services.
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University of DC - Marion Shadd Work Force Development Program
Are you a DC resident? Do you have a valid driver’s license or ID card? Then you may be eligible for FREE University of DC (UDC) courses in Food Handling. In addition, those with GED certification or a high school diploma may be eligible for free courses ranging from customer service training, medical terms property management and basic driver’s education instructors. Day and evening courses are available.
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Office of the People's Counsel: Community Hearing
The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia will hold a public hearing to learn about consumers' experiences with alternative energy suppliers who are soliciting their business.
Time: July 12, 2013│10:00AM
Location: The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia │ 1333 H Street, NW, 7th Floor, Commission Hearing Room Washington, DC 20005
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Volunteer for FestAfrica 2013!
Volunteer for the largest African Festival in Maryland, FestAfrica! FestAfrica is a two day festival showcasing African culture and heritage right here in the United States! However, this festival cannot run without help.
Mandatory Volunteer Orientation will be on Saturday August 3rd in the morning - at 10:30AM. As a volunteer you will be expected to attend the Mandatory Orientation.
Sign-up
Vote for D.C. Tech Startups for Wall Street Journal ‘Startup of the Year'
The Wall Street Journal is holding a nationwide competition to see which hot new startup is the ‘Startup of the Year.’ There are four contenders from the Capital region and two companies based in the District of Columbia (Speek and TroopID)! Through the contest WSJ is asking, “If these companies went public, would you buy shares?”
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Share your Immigration Story with Whitehouse.gov
Share your own story to help remind Washington that we need an immigration system that lives up to our heritage as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.Stories submitted through this web form, along with your name and photo, may be featured on www.WhiteHouse.gov and posted on White House social media channels.
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Want your event featured in the 'African Beat'?
'The African Beat' 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, July 4th at 5:00PM (Send all materials, along with any questions, to oaa@dc.gov).
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