February 2, 2024
Dear Washingtonians,
Happy Black History Month, DC. Yesterday, we kicked off our Black History Month celebrations at a showcase of local artists in Downtown DC. The celebration included Washingtonians from all eight wards and people of all ages and races. Together, we celebrated and recognized that Black history is American history — it is a history we celebrate every day and also use as a guidepost for what we need to do to ensure that the African American experience in our country is an equal one.
 The Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge is lit up in honor of Black History Month through February 4.
Each week throughout the month, we will be hosting events that honor and celebrate Black history and culture in DC:
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Black In Action | February 10-16: Week of events to honor and recognize hometown heroes from various industries.
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Black Downtown | February 17-23: Series of events and activities raising awareness about the Black diaspora in Downtown DC.
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Black to the Future | February 24-29: Events and activities designed to highlight advancements and accomplishments of African Americans in technology and science.
Follow along on social media to learn more about upcoming events.
This month – and every month – we’re sharing our history, we’re celebrating Black excellence, and we’re uplifting the people and voices who continue to make DC the greatest city in the world.
Sincerely,
 View photos from this week on Facebook.
 Join the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development for the first-ever Grant and Grow Expo! The expo will provide business owners and entrepreneurs information about which grant programs they are eligible for as well as support applying for grants.
- When: Monday, February 5 @ 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 pm.
- Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G Street NW)
- Register to attend HERE.
DMPED-managed grant programs that you can learn more about at the expo include:
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Downtown Recovery Grant Program, $3 million (new for FY24): Supports businesses opening or expanding into a retail or commercial space that has been vacant for at least six months and is located in the Downtown DC or Golden Triangle Business Improvement District.
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Great Streets Retail Small Business Grant, $2.55 million: Supports the transformation of 13 emerging commercial corridors into thriving and inviting livable, walkable, and shoppable neighborhood centers. The program awards up to $85,000 to eligible businesses for use towards renovating their place of business, purchasing new equipment, offering a new product or service, and creating more jobs.
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Neighborhood Prosperity Fund, $3 million: Supports mixed-used, real estate, or retail development projects in targeted census tracts where unemployment is at 10% or higher. The grants provide necessary gap funding for the commercial component of development projects that will help create job opportunities and provide new neighborhood amenities.
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Locally Made, $1.45 million: Supports local manufacturing businesses by providing funding dedicated to improving commercial properties designated for industrial use. The program is designed to grow the District’s local business economy through bolstering manufacturing and strengthening supply chains Districtwide.
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Commercial Property Acquisition Fund, $6 million: Provides eligible businesses with down payment assistance of up to $750,000 or 25% of the sale price, whichever is less, for the acquisition of commercial property in the District. Businesses must be eligible to be an equity impact enterprise.
To learn more about these programs and to apply, visit obviouslydc.com/fy24-business-funding-opportunities.
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 Mayor Bowser and the DC Department of Human Resources (DCHR) encourage residents to register to attend a Winter Hiring Event that will be held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Tuesday, February 13.
Throughout the day, residents will be able to explore nearly 600 career opportunities and some participating agencies will make on-the-spot job offers. During the hiring event, residents will also be able to connect with professional development opportunities and community resources, including resume and interview workshops, live professional coaching on engaging employers, and help with navigating job fairs. The Office of Tax and Revenue will also be on-site to assist with tax returns, along with the Board of Elections that will facilitate voter registration.
Registration to attend is required and is currently open through Tuesday, February 6 at 11:59 p.m. On-site registration will also be available the day of the event.
- When: Tuesday, February 13 @ 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
- Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G Street NW)
- Register to attend HERE.
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 The Department of Employment Services invites graduating seniors enrolled in the University of the District of Columbia or Howard University to apply for the HBCU Public Service Program.
The HBCU Public Service Program is a partnership between District Government, Howard University, and the University of the District of Columbia. The program will help bring even more highly talented HBCU graduates into public service.
Students can learn more about the HBCU Public Service Program and apply for the program at does.dc.gov/hbcu.
Applications for the HBCU Public Service Program opened on February 1 and will close on February 29.
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 Mayor Bowser and the Department of Parks and Recreation are reminding families to get ready to enroll youth ages 3-13 into the summer camp lottery for 2024. Registration opens on Monday, February 12 and will close on Monday, February 26.
DPR summer camps will operate this year in four sessions from June 26 to August 16, with before and aftercare also available for families. DPR summer camps for 2024 include camps that offer youth the chance to cheer, learn about technology and science, play basketball, and more!
Visit DPRsummercamp.com to register for the summer camp lottery starting February 12 and to learn more about available camps.
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