Mayor Bowser Announces FY2018 African Community Grant Awards

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Bowser and the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs awarded a combined $95,000 in grant funding to eight community-based organizations that provide critical services to Washington, DC’s African community. Grants were made in amounts between $5,000 and $20,000.

“As a city that values and embraces our diversity and inclusivity, I am proud to partner with these community-based organizations to support the needs of all District residents,” said Mayor Bowser. “By partnering with organizations that work directly with DC’s African community, we can provide more Washingtonians with the resources and support they need to thrive.” 

The Fiscal Year 2018 African Community Grant awardees are:

• African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association will provide cancer screenings and awareness. 
• Asylum Seekers Assistance Project will equip asylum seekers with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve economic stability.
• Congress Heights Community Training & Development Corporation will focus on publishing a science and tech book to empower young Africans in the District to pursue higher education in STEM.
• Life Asset will provide microloans and training to low-income African entrepreneurs.  
• KanKouran West African Dance Company will produce its 35th Annual African Dance conference, “The Spirit Lives On.”
• Multicultural Community Services will provide language services programs to support the language needs of low-income African immigrants who are seeking employment.
• The Person Center will work to increase understanding of the needs related to violence against women.
• Washington English Center will provide affordable English language, math, writing, and job interviewing skills to African immigrants.  

The grant funding is aligned with the Bowser Administration’s priorities and is intended to enhance existing community programs focused on workforce and economic development, health and human services, youth engagement and education, and the promotion of African arts, culture, and the humanities. Organizations were selected based on the degree to which they meet these priorities and target their efforts toward underserved African communities. Some current projects include: assisting asylum seekers gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary to achieve job and economic security; providing microloans and financial literacy training to low-income, underemployed, and underbanked African entrepreneurs; and continuing to provide health literacy to African women.