Mayor Bowser Announces FY2017 African Community Grant Awards

CONTACT:
LaToya Foster (EOM) – (202) 727-5011; [email protected]
Heran Sereke-Brhan (MOAA) – (202) 724-7670; [email protected]

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs is pleased to announce the awarding of $73,000 in grant funding to nine community-based organizations (CBOs) who provide critical services to the District’s African community. Grants supported by Fiscal Year 2017 funding were awarded to CBOs who serve the District’s most vulnerable community members and were made in amounts between $1,500 and $15,000 to each organization.

“We congratulate the recipients of this year’s African Community Grant,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Funding for these programs will provide quality services that result in measureable outcomes and strengthen pathways to the middle class for the District’s African residents.”

The grant funding is aligned with the Bowser Administration’s priorities and is intended to enhance existing community programs focused on education, job and economic development, public safety, civic engagement, health and wellness, youth engagement, arts and the creative economy. Organizations were selected based on the degree to which they meet these priorities and target their efforts to underserved African communities.

This year’s awardees are:

• African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association ($15,000);
• Ayuda ($12,000);
• The Person Center ($10,000);
• KanKouran West African Dance Company ($10,000);
• Multicultural Community Services ($10,000);
• Hepatitis B Initiative DC ($7,000;
• Many Languages One Voice ($5,000);
• Ethiopian Community Center ($2,500); and
• Mary’s Center ($1,500).