MOAA Celebrates a Memorable 2019
Happy Holidays from The Mayor's Office on African Affairs.
Below is our Year-In-Review.
Connecting Young African Professionals
MOAA started 2019 with a Kickoff Happy Hour at Bukom Cafe in partnership with Young African Professionals Network (YAP) and Your Ethiopian Professionals Network (YEP). The event sought to engage the District's African professionals and millennials and foster links based on shared interests.
Providing Free Tax Preparation Assistance
In March, MOAA, in collaboration with the Department of Insurance, Banking, and Securities, and DC Credit Union, hosted a Free Tax Prep and Resource Fair. The purpose of the event was to provide easy-to-access info on bank accounts, employment, financial education, free tax preparation assistance, and other programs.
MOAA added 2 bilingual positions in its partnership with the Department of For-Hire Vehicles
The Mayor’s Office on African Affairs added two bilingual positions in the office as a result of a collaborative agreement with the Department of For-Hire Vehicles to assist limited or non-English proficient (LEP/NEP) African taxicab operators in the District with accessing DFHV programs and services. The employees, Abdoul Niang(French) and Yared Mengistu(Amharic) work with the African For-Hire Vehicle Operators in the District.
Advancing Cultural Competency
MOAA organized several cultural competency trainings to DC government agencies, promoting cultural competency and language access. MOAA helped organize the first cultural competency training for the Metropolitan Police Department as well as the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Promoting Public Safety
As a part of the Safer Stronger DC Initiative, MOAA, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Special Liaison Branch, conducted outreach to the District’s African community, particularly African businesses. During the outreach, MOAA would accompany officers during their tour of duty in a police vehicle. The MOAA/MPD partnership gives residents a better understanding of police operations and enhances transparency between police and members of the community.
Supporting African Seniors
In March, MOAA collaborated with the DC Office on Community Living and Aging to organize a community health and resource fair for the District’s African seniors at the Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior Apartments.
Convening African Women in Tech
 In April, MOAA held a panel discussion on African women’s growing influence, success, and challenges in technology at the Embassy of Haiti. African women are a growing influence in the tech landscape. In spite of the structural barriers and challenges, African women continue to strive and succeed despite the odds. African women are using such adversities to fuel their determination, build resilience and use their success to raise their visibility. MOAA used this event to honor and celebrate these leaders and arrange a forum for them to share their experiences, and inspire more African women.
Mayor Bowser and the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs welcomed Mayor Takele Uma Banti of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Washington, DC
 On April 30, 2019, Mayor Bowser met with Mayor Takele Uma Banti of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The two had a discussion about the Sister City agreement and how they aim to bring the two cities together. Mayor Uma also noted that he is interested in exchanging ideas and best practices on issues ranging from Tourism, Metropolitan Planning, and Transport Management.
Launching Multilingual Job Announcements
 MOAA started a digital newsletter broadcasting job announcements seeking candidates proficient in languages such as Amharic, French, Arabic, and Yoruba.
Building Community Ties
 In June, MOAA teamed with MPD to hold the second annual DC African Community Soccer Game at Bell High School. In addition to engaging African youth, the event sought to connect African constituents with the MPD Special Liaison Branch, which works closely with underserved community members to support and empower them.
Spotlighting African Culture and Small Businesses in DC
In June, MOAA, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office on Women's Policy and Initiatives, Mayor’s Office on African American Affairs, and African Fashion Week DC, hosted the inaugural DC African Fashion Show and Culture Expo showcasing and celebrating DC African fashion, creativity, and culture. District African fashion designers and hair braiders displayed artistry and unique styles.
Speaking Up About Inequities in African Immigrant Women’s Health
 In September, as part of African Heritage Month, MOAA, in partnership with The Mayor's Office on Women's Policy and Initiatives and DC Health, held a symposium featuring experts’ insight on mental and maternal health inequities of African immigrant women. This was an opportunity for experts from a variety of fields to discuss the health and social experience of African immigrant women’s mental health in the District. Mental and Maternal health are important topics as they are some of the most important indicators of the integration of these immigrant communities. The discussion helped us understand and think about how to address health disparities among women of African descent in Washington, DC.
Mayor Bowser's Ward 4 Community Walk
 On September 26th, 2019, MOAA joined Mayor Bowser for the Ward 4 Community Walk as we checked in with African residents and businesses in the area to ensure that we are directly addressing concerns and providing necessary information.
Empowering African small businesses in the District
In October, MOAA teamed with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) to host a Braiding Boot Camp at Aisha's Hair Braiding. The Boot Camp informed prospective and current hair braiding salon owners about business licensing, the regulation renewal process, and small business legal information for budding and existing small hair braiding businesses. French interpretation was provided to ensure full comprehension of the content.
Mayoral Diplomatic and Trade Mission to Ethiopia
 In November, Director Kaba participated in Mayor Bowser's diplomatic & trade mission to Ethiopia which aimed to strengthen cultural, educational and economic ties. During the trip, the sister city agreement between Addis Ababa and Washington, DC was renewed and innovation strategies for economic growth were explored.
Mayor Muriel Bowser's FY2020 Grantee Roundtable
 In December, the Mayor's Office on African Affairs participated in Mayor Muriel Bowser's FY2020 Grantee Roundtable.
This meeting provided grantees from the Immigrant Justice Legal Services (IJLS) Grant, DC Census Outreach Grant, and the Mayor’s African American, LGBTQ, African, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Latino Community Grant programs with the opportunity to network across grant programs and to learn about and leverage resources for collective impact.
African Community Grant
MOAA awarded a combined $100,000 in grant funding to 11 community-based organizations, serving 3,294 District African residents in areas such as jobs and economic development, health, and the arts.
Advocating for District Africans
 The Commission on African Affairs promoted job opportunities for Africans in the diaspora, increased the Commission and Office on African Affairs’ visibility in the District African community, and encouraged collaboration between community-based organizations, constituents, and other institutions.
Mayor Muriel Bowser's 6th Annual Fresh Start #FITDC 5K
 Join Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC residents in the scenic Anacostia Park for the 2020 #FITDC Fresh Start 5K!
As part of the #FITDC initiative, we are inviting people of all ages to join us for this fun fitness activity. Whether you want to run, walk or just cheer folks on, this will be a fun event for all!
Same-day registration and packet pickup begin at 9:00 am and the Fresh Start 5K Walk/Run begins at 10:00 am.
So come kick your New Year off right at Mayor Muriel Bowser's #FITDC Fresh Start 5K in partnership with AETNA!
Social Media:
#FitDC
Twitter: @MayorBowser Instagram: @Mayor_Bowser
Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser
When: Wednesday, January 1, 2020 | 9:00 am
Where: Anacostia Park | 1900 Anacostia Drive | Washington, DC | 20020
Learn more
Mayor Muriel Bowser's Multicultural Resource Fair
 The Multicultural Resource Fair is an opportunity for District residents to learn more about immigration legal services and health resources. Join us for this event to get free health screenings, sit in on Know Your Rights workshops, enroll in a health insurance plan and more! Spanish, French, Amharic, Vietnamese, Mandarin and Korean interpretation services will be provided.
When: Saturday, January 11, 2020 | 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: Columbia Heights Educational Campus | 3101 16th St NW | Washington, DC | 20010
Learn more
Want Your Event Featured in the African Beat?
The African Beat is distributed to over 8,000 subscribers every other Friday. For an event to be featured in MOAA's newsletter, please submit the event description, venue, time, and a website link for additional information. The submission deadline for the next edition is Wednesday, January 8, 2020 by 5:00 pm. Send all materials, along with any questions, to oaa@dc.gov.
|
