Invitation: Signing ceremony of the D.C. Driver Safety Act of 2013
The DC Mayor’s Office on African Affairs invites you to join Mayor Vincent C. Gray and members of the D.C. Council for a signing ceremony of the D.C. Driver Safety Act of 2013. The Mayor will sign this historic legislation into law, making undocumented District residents eligible for driver’s licenses, permits, andidentification cards.
Date: Monday|November 18th, 2013|02:30 -3:30 PM
Location: The John A. Wilson Building|1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW|Room G9|Washington, DC|20004
The Driver’s Safety Act is a momentous step forward in improving public safety for all who drive, ride, walk or bike in the District of Columbia by ensuring that undocumented residents not only can obtain a driver’s license, but they also can insure and register automobiles in the District. Additionally, this legislation alleviates burdens on undocumented immigrants by enabling legal automobile ownership –an economic lifeline for many hard-working District families.We hope to see you there.
For more information, please contact Sherif Elhassan at sherif.elhassan@dc.gov or 202-727-5634
2nd Annual Business Symposium "From DC to Africa" Growing Local & Going Global
 This year, the DC to Africa Business Symposium aims to bring business owners and entrepreneurs in the District in direct contact with local government and federal agencies, and other relevant organizations that offer critical information, technical assistance and resources for both seasoned and aspiring entrepreneurs wishing to start or expand their business in DC, or go global through export initiatives and trade opportunities in Africa. Don’t miss this unique networking and resource sharing opportunity!
Date: Monday| November 25, 2013|09:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: 11th Floor Conference Room|441 4th Street NW|Washington, DC|20001
Interpretation in Amharic & French Available Upon Request!
RSVP| Volunteer
Mayor Vincent C. Gray Visits Commission on African Affairs Monthly Meeting
 On Wednesday, November 13th, Mayor Vincent C. Gray, the Director of Community Affairs Steve Glaude, OAA Director Ngozi Nmezi, Commissioners on African Affairs and 15 community leaders, partook in the monthly Commission on African Affairs meeting. Here, the Commissioners discussed their assessment on the developments, needs, and priorities of the District’s African community with the Mayor.
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30 African DCPS High School Students Discuss Access, Aspirations and Policy
 On Friday November 8, 2013, the DC Mayor’s Office on African Affairs (OAA) partnered with the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) to host an African Youth Summit to engage African high school students in the District. Over 30 high school students from Columbia Heights Education Campus, Roosevelt, Coolidge, Cardozo, Banneker, Phelps and School Without Walls high schools participated in the summit. These students had an opportunity to discuss their unique experiences and policy concerns, access pertinent resources, and network with young professionals and potential mentors.
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Mayor Addresses the Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Ethiopian Orthodox Church Congregation
 On Sunday, November 3, 2013, Mayor Vincent C. Gray offered remarks at the Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Ethiopian Orthodox Church to convey his administration’s ongoing effort to engage and improve access for the District’s linguistically and ethnically diverse communities. Over 1200 church members were in attendance as the Mayor announced that DC and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia have agreed to enter into a Sister City agreement and highlighted his administration’s accomplishments directly addressing the needs of the District’s growing African community.
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Be in the Know: Help OAA’s Facebook page get to 1,000 likes!
Interested in being the first to hear about grant opportunities, business development services, DC government resources, networking events, and Africa-related news and events?
OAA’s FACEBOOK PAGE HAS IT ALL!
Like OAA’s Facebook page to help us get to 1,000 likes and we’ll help you stay connected! We’re more than halfway there, but we need your help!
Click here for OAA’s Facebook Page
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In Weekly Radio Address, Mayor Gray Highlights District Students’ Impressive Testing Gains
 Improved Scores Lead the Nation, Demonstrate Education Reform Working
In his weekly radio address this week, Mayor Gray touted impressive gains in math and reading that 4th and 8th-grade students in the District’s public school systems showed on this year’s National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), “the Nation’s Report Card,” saying that they provide further evidence that the District should double down and stay the course in improving our public schools. The District was cited for improving more than any other state in the country.
Read More | Listen Here
Getting District Residents Back to Work
 From The Washington Post: “In the shadow of the 11th Street Bridge, locals build a new future for themselves”
The Gray Administration has implemented many initiatives to help get District residents back to work – including the highly successful One City·One Hire program that has helped more than 7,000 residents find work – with a special focus on the chronically unemployed.
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Mayor Gray Announces Multiple Initiatives to Continue Implementation of Sustainable DC Initiative
Mayor Vincent C. Gray today announced several initiatives – including submitting a new piece of omnibus legislation to the DC Council – that he is undertaking to further implement the Sustainable DC Plan and improve the health of District residents. The efforts will, among other things, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in the District and establish sustainability as a priority in the operations of District government agencies.
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First Lady Kicks Off Education Advocacy Efforts
 Michelle Obama faced an auditorium of low-income students at Bell Multicultural High School in the District on Tuesday and urged them to aggressively chase a college degree, saying it would lift their own lives and the fortunes of the nation. Obama’s appearance kicked off her new campaign to prod and inspire high schoolers around the country to graduate and enroll in college, trade school or some type of higher education. “We’re going to talk about the power that you have to fulfill your potential and unlock opportunities that you can’t even begin to imagine for yourselves right now,” she said.
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'Little Africa' name touted for St. Paul neighborhood along University Avenue
 Welcome to the corner of Snelling and LaFond avenues in St. Paul, which soon could be known as "Little Africa". Bruce Corrie, a business professor at Concordia University in St. Paul, has been studying the economic potential of the metro's immigrant workers, ethnic businesses and their customers for years. He believes he's found the beginnings of a new commercial corridor in St. Paul, just off the Central Corridor light-rail transit line, or Green Line.
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The Future Is African
Afrofuturism, a genre that mixes science fiction with the culture, history and politics of the African diaspora, is as old as Sun Ra’s 1974 film “Space Is the Place” and as new as Janelle Monáe’s latest album. If you’ve been following artists like Wangechi Mutu, Sanford Biggers or Robert Pruitt, you probably already know that it’s driving a lot of contemporary art.
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Africa’s Diaspora Aren’t Looking For Jobs, They Want To Create Them
Amini Kajunju, President and CEO of the Africa-America Institute has an op-ed and interview on CNN about the potential of Africa’s Diaspora. Lastly, diasporans can bring their talent, energy, skills and technological know-how to furthering economic progress in Africa. Many Africans in the diaspora want to eventually go back home after living abroad. However, one of their biggest challenges is finding suitable employment once they return.
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DDOT Keeping Pace with Increased Development, Permit Applications
For a while now, the District has been one of the hottest localities in the country for development projects. Currently, there are more than 60 cranes hanging over construction sites in the city. The District has also become a “Top 10 City” for density of population per square mile in the nation. This break-neck development leads to increased economic opportunities (2,174 construction jobs and 1,419 permanent jobs were estimated to have been created by the 19 large-scale development projects that were completed in FY 2013).
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Libya: USAID and Western Union Announce Winners of Libya Diaspora Marketplace Entrepreneurship Competition
USAID and The Western Union Company today announced the winners of the Libya Diaspora Marketplace (LDM) entrepreneurship competition. Three winners were selected from more than 20 business plan submissions; industry sectors represented among the winners include agribusiness, information and communications technology and transportation. Each awardee will receive a matching grant between US$25,000 and US$50,000, with accompanying technical assistance.
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BOI, Western Union And USAID To Support Nigerian SMEs
The 2nd edition of SME Live Banking Panel kicks off today in Lagos presenting an opportunity for “more than 100 business leaders from Africa’s Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)” to pitch business plans to leading Nigerian and pan-African banks. Organized by Nigeria’s Bank of Industry, in partnership with The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) and U.S. Agency for International Development(USAID) African Diaspora Marketplace, the 3-day event is held with the goal of expanding access to financing opportunities for African entrepreneurs and training for capacity development.
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AmeriCorps State Competitive Grant Competition 2014 (SDC)
Serve DC announces funds to provide full- and less than full-time opportunities for participants, called members, to serve their communities and build the capacity of nonprofit organizations to meet local environmental, educational, public safety, homeland security, or other human needs. Awards available up to $13,000 for city or township governments, state governments, nonprofit organizations and DC government agencies; a match is required.
Submission Deadline: November 21, 2013
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The City Fund
Community Foundation for the National Capital Region announces funds for the first round of grants for project/program support. The fund will also offer one-time capacity building grants that can be administered over a three year period during its second grant round of grants in the spring of 2014. Awards of up to $100,000 are available for nonprofit organizations.
Submission Deadline: November 25, 2013
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Pro Bono Professional Services to Nonprofits
The Taproot Foundation offers funding of at least $45,000 per grant to connect DC nonprofits organizations that provide arts, education, environment, health, and social services programs with the services of professional consultants on a pro-bono basis. Potential grantees must have at least three full-time employees and an annual budget of at least $350,000.
Application Deadline: December 1, 2013
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The Big Read
Arts Midwest announces funds to develop community-wide reading programs which encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences including activities such as author readings, book discussions, art exhibits, lectures, film series, and music or dance events. Funds available between $2,500 and $20,000 in 75 awards to state governments and nonprofit organizations.
Application Deadline: January 28, 2014
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Media Project Grant
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announces funds to support interactive digital media, film and television projects, and radio projects. Interactive digital media may be websites, games, mobile applications, virtual environments. There will be $1,000,000 in funds available to 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 to be allocated on a competitive basis.
Application Deadline: January 8, 2014
Contact: Crissy Cortina at (202) 606-8269 or ccortina@neh.gov or www.grants.gov GD5275
8th HIV/AIDS Report Card
 Mayor Gray helped D.C. Appleseed release their 8th HIV/AIDS Report Card on Wednesday morning at the Wilson Building. The report showed that the District is turning the corner on HIV/AIDS, but there is still much work to be done by District agencies and partners to keep this epidemic in check.
Read the Full Report Card Here
DC Health Link Opens Enrollment Centers at Two Local Libraries
DC Health Link, in partnership with DC Public Library, has opened two new health insurance enrollment centers, one in downtown DC and the other in Ward 7. At each enrollment center, trained experts – known as DC Health Link Assisters – and licensed health insurance brokers will be on-hand to answer questions and guide people through the process of obtaining health insurance.
Dates: Wednesday, 10:30 am – 8:00 pm, Thursday-Friday, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm and Saturday, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library|901 G Street NW|Washington DC|20001
Dates: Wednesday, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm, Tuesday and Thursday, 2:00-8:00 pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Location: Deanwood Library and Recreation Center|1350 49 Street NE| Washington DC| 20019
The Enrollment Centers at both libraries will be open from November 2013 until March 31, 2014.
Food Allergy Awareness Reaches President's Desk
The deaths of two girls in Illinois and Virginia from severe food allergies have helped spur efforts to get schools to stockpile emergency medications that can save lives. That effort has now reached the highest level: President Barack Obama's desk. The president signed a bipartisan bill on Wednesday that offers a financial incentive to states if schools stockpile epinephrine, considered the first-line treatment for people with severe allergies.
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FDA To Ban Artery-Clogging Trans Fats
Heart-clogging trans fats were once a staple of the American diet, plentiful in baked goods, microwave popcorn and fried foods. Now, mindful of the health risks, the Food and Drug Administration is getting rid of what's left of them for good. The FDA announced Thursday it will require the food industry to gradually phase out artificial trans fats, saying they are a threat to public health.
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DHS and Western Union Announce New Alliance To Combat Human Trafficking
 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a new alliance between the DHS Blue Campaign— the unified voice for DHS’ efforts to combat human trafficking— and Western Union. Through this alliance, Western Union will provide the Blue Campaign’s multilingual training and awareness materials to select agent locations across the country. Participating agents will also receive additional training from Western Union on how to identify and recognize indicators of human trafficking, as well as how to report suspected cases of human trafficking.
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Call for Volunteers - A.L.I.V.E. Project
 Alive (Achievement. Linking. Innovation. Vision. & Engagement) is an academic and youth enrichment program targeting high-need students designed to: improve student academic achievement; reduce suspension/expulsion rates; and increase family engagement in student's education. Alive achieves this by offering rigorous and engaging academic programs using interactive lessons and web-based programming for experiential learning; providing a comprehensive character education program and mentoring; partnering with community organizations to offer enrichment; and connecting families with community resources, classes that build their educational/life skills, and trainings to help them support their children's learning.
Dates: Mondays-Thursdays|2:30-3:30PM
Location: Thurgood Marshall Middle School| 4909 Brinkley Road|Temple Hills, MD|20748
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DC Advocacy Partners
DC Advocacy Partners is a FREE leadership training program designed for self-advocates and family members of children with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Through this program, you will gain leadership skills and techniques to help develop positive partnerships with elected officials, school personnel, and other community leaders. You will become a policy influencer, and will interact with policy makers and policy implementers regarding services that you and/or your family may use.
Application Deadline: November 18, 2013
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Temporary Protected Status Extended for Somalis
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Rand Beers has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Somalia for an additional 18 months, effective March 18, 2014, through Sept. 17, 2015. Current Somali beneficiaries seeking to extend their TPS status must re-register during a 60-day period that runs from Nov. 1, 2013, through Dec. 31, 2013. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages beneficiaries to re-register as soon as possible once the 60-day period begins. USCIS will not accept applications it received before Nov. 1, 2013.
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DC State Board Of Education Seeks Feedback On Next Generation Science Standards
 The District of Columbia State Board of Education (State Board) will hold a public meeting to hear a presentation on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). While the District already has rigorous, well-regarded science standards, the NGSS are seen as an important opportunity to improve not only science education but also student achievement.
Date: Wednesday|November 20, 2013| 5:30 PM
Location: Old Council Chambers|441 4th Street NW|1st Floor| Washington DC|20001
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DDS Budget Forums - Let Your Voice Be Heard!
The Department on Disability Services (DDS) is hosting two forums to hear from the community about budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Laura Nuss, Director of DDS, and other DDS leadership will be at the next Project ACTION! meeting to hear directly from members about their thoughts and ideas for the DDS budget, as it’s being developed. This session is just for people who receive supports and services from DDS. For staff, family members and providers who support Project ACTION! members, please assist people in preparing for the meeting, so that their voices are heard.
Date: Saturday|November 16, 2013|10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Kennedy Institute|801 Buchanan Street NE|Washington, D.C.|20017
This session for people who receive supports and services from DDS
DDS will also be hosting a community forum to hear from people with disabilities, their families, their advocates, and other supporters about your ideas, thoughts, and priorities for next year’s budget:
Date: Tuesday|November 19, 2013|04:00 – 6:00 PM
Location: Department of Employment Services (DOES)|Community Room|4058 Minnesota Avenue NE|First Floor|Washington, DC| 20019
RSVP Here or call (202) 730-1586.
DPR Hosts Community Meetings to Discuss Fees and Regulations
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will convene a series of open community meetings to offer the public an opportunity to comment on proposed changes to DPR’s permit fees and regulations. At the meetings, DPR will solicit opinions on a proposal to revise its permit fees from a flat rate to an hourly rate, and to discuss a plan on a new “fee-based use” permit for applicants who charge their participants for activities and for priority of use.
The three meetings will be held the following days and locations:
Meeting 1: Thursday|November 21, 2013|6:30-8:00 PM| Emery Recreation Center|5801 Georgia Avenue NW|Washington DC|20011
Meeting 2: Monday|November 25, 2013| 06:30-8:00 PM| Deanwood Recreation Center |1350 49th Street NE|Washington DC| 20019
Meeting 3: Thursday|December 5, 2013|06:30-8:00 PM|Kennedy Recreation Center|1401 7th Street NW|Washington DC|20001
If a resident is unable to attend any of the meetings, written comments may be submitted to the Constituent Services and Permits Manager Jacqueline Alvarado at jacqueline.alvarado@dc.gov .
Submission Deadline: Thursday,|December 5, 2013
Want Your Event Featured in the 'African Beat'?
'The African Beat' is distributed to over 5,000 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, November 27, 2013 at 5:00PM (Send all materials, along with any questions, to oaa@dc.gov).
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