A letter from the Deputy Mayor
District Residents,

DC history is black history. African American Washingtonians have contributed to the rich history, culture and legacy that is Washington, D.C. The epicenter of the Black cultural renaissance of the 20th century, D.C.'s 'Black Broadway' served as a self reliant community of Black owned small businesses, churches, banks, art and cultural institutions. Now, more than ever, as our city is experiencing an economic renaissance, we must double down on efforts to ensure African Americans, residents from overlooked and undeserved communities and long-time Washingtonians get their fair shot at economic prosperity in the city they help build. At DMGEO we are working hard to expand economic opportunity through investments in our workforce and support for resident-owned small businesses.

Since January, 2018 we:
  • Released, Fair Shot: A Toolkit for African American Prosperity at the Historic Howard Theater. The toolkit provides an overview of DC government funded programs and resources available to help support individuals, seniors families and business owners.
  • Hosted a Job + Prosperity Fair at the Walter E Washington Convention Center and connected more than 1,000 residents with home ownership, financial literacy, health, education training and job resources.
  • Opened the DC Infrastructure Academy in Ward 8 - a partnership between the Department of Employment Services and industry leaders like, Pepco/Exelon, WMATA, Washington Gas, DC Water, DPW, DGS and others.
  • Launched the DC Talent Leaders Program program to expand high quality internships and increase the number of private sector partners participating in the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program.
  • Launched a first-of-its-kind Transitional Housing and Employment program to provide housing to participants in our subsidized workforce programs that secure unsubsidized employment.
We are working incredibly hard to expand economic opportunity through workforce development and small business development - and while our efforts have yielded some progress, far too many of our residents still struggle to make ends meet. That is why we need partners like you to help us fight the good fight and move the needle for our communities.

Want to learn more about DMGEO? Join us April 2 - 30, 2018 for a month of events and announcements that will support our efforts to expand economic opportunity for our communities.

If there’s something my office can do for you, or if you have a question or feedback to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at dmgeo.dc@dc.gov or (202) 545-3071.


Warmest,

Courtney
Courtney R. Snowden
Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity
Check out this video to learn more about our work at DMGEO!
Fair Shot: A Toolkit for African American Prosperity
Mayor Bowser kicked off Black History month with the release of A Fair Shot: A Toolkit for African American Prosperity. The event was held at the historic Howard Theater where longtime African American residents, business owners, and community stakeholders gathered to celebrate the reveal. The toolkit provides an overview of DC government funded programs and services that support African American residents, families, and business owners on their pathway to economic prosperity in Washington, DC. Immediately following the release of the toolkit, Mayor Bowser, AFSME and DPW workers commemorated the Sanitation Worker Strike of 1968 and the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a moment of silence outside of the historic Howard Theater.

To download a copy of the toolkit click here!
Welcome to the DC Infrastructure Academy
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser was joined by Deputy Mayor Courtney R. Snowden, City Administrator Rashad Young, DOES Director Odie Donald and industry partners from Pepco, Exelon, DC Water, Washington Gas, WMATA, DPW, UDC and others for the grand opening of the DC Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) in Ward 8 on March 12, 2018. The DCIA will train DC residents for careers in the infrastructure industry , which is one of DC's high-demand industries, and one of the most rapidly growing industries in the nation. The DC Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) will be a dedicated location that coordinates, trains, screens, recruits and fulfills skilled labor needs of the infrastructure industry. Over the next decade 2.7 million infrastructure workers are expected to retire or leave their jobs. The infrastructure academy will ensure DC residents are first in line for these opportunities. The average hourly earnings for infrastructure workers for infrastructure workers in DC is $48.75. The sector is expected to experience 19% growth by 2027.

For more information about opportunities to partner or to register for training call 202-899-6040 or email  DCIA@dc.gov

“The DC Infrastructure Academy is a pathway to the middle class,” said Mayor Bowser. “As the infrastructure industry continues to grow, we want DC residents to be first in line for these high-paying jobs. Through the DC Infrastructure Academy, we will ensure that more Washingtonians have the skills and knowledge they need to secure a career in a wide-range of growing fields, from utility and transportation to operations and green technologies.”

For more information on this announcement, check out our full press release .
Grand Opening of the Transitional Residential Employment Program
On December 20, 2017, the Bowser Administration launched a first-of-its-kind workforce and transitional housing program managed by the Department of Employment Services. The program was created to provide transitional housing opportunities to District residents who have participated in Career Connections, Project Empowerment, or Aspire to Entrepreneurship and are employed in full-time unsubsidized jobs or earning a sustainable wage through a small business venture. The first transitional residential housing location was launched in Ward 5 in partnership with Echelon Services. To ensure transitional housing participants create and maintain savings, p articipants are required to deposit 25 percent of their bi-weekly earnings into an escrow account , after completion of the program, all funds deposited into the escrow account will be returned to participants. The Transitional Residential Program supports Homeward DC, Mayor Bowser’s strategic plan to reform the District’s homeless services system and make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring.

“The Transitional Residential Program was born out of the need that many of our residents faced when they came to us seeking employment. Our residents found themselves either homeless or couch-surfing and we decided to do something about that."
– Deputy Mayor Courtney R. Snowden

Celebrating Black History Month!
During Black History Month, the Bowser Administration celebrated the impact and achievements of African Americans in Washington, DC. DMGEO and the Mayor's Office on African American Affairs hosted a number of events to recognize the rich history, culture and legacy of African American Washingtonians.

 “By staying laser-focused on spreading prosperity and creating new pathways to the middle class, we have made tremendous progress, however we know there is more work to do to ensure African Americans in every corner of the District have a fair shot. We are working hard to ensure that the hardworking residents who could benefit most from the many resources and programs we have available actually know about them.”   
- Mayor Muriel Bowser

Saturday February 10 th: Mahogany Book store Grand Opening
DMGEO supported the Grand opening of Mahogany Book Store on Saturday, February 10, 2018. The Anacostia location is the first book store to open East of the Anacostia River in more than two decades. The bookstore specializes in books written for, by or about people of the African Diaspora. Started in 2007 by husband and wife, Derrick and Ramunda Young, MahoganyBooks is the fastest growing online bookstore for people of the African Diaspora.

Tuesday February 14: Frederick Douglass Statue Unveiling
On February 14 th , 2018 Mayor Bowser unveiled a restored portrait of Frederick Douglass in honor of his 200th Birthday Celebration. It is believed that Frederick Douglass, the iconic 19th century civil rights leader, made his greatest contributions as a free man while living in the District of Columbia.

Thursday February 16-17: Third Annual Black History Film Festival Hosted by actor Lamman Rucker
On February 16th and 17th the 3rd Annual Black History Film Festival returned to the Lincoln Theatre with the opening night film, Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges & Universities by Stanley Nelson. This annual film festival showcased 7 films and was presented by Mayor Bowser’s Office on African American Affairs and Urban Film Review to showcase African American and African cinematic expressions. 

Monday, February 19th: Black Panther Screening for Ballou Students
The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity hosted a FREE screening of the movie, Black Panther for 200 Ballou High School students, teachers and parents during the film's record-breaking opening weekend. Youth were invited to the attend the event based on improvement in attendance - as part of Mayor Bowser's Every Day Counts campaign.

Wednesday, February 28th: Audre Lorde & Bayard Rustin Reception: A Celebration of Black LGBTQ Excellence
On Wednesday, February 28th, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity, the Mayor's Office on African American Affairs, the Mayor’s Office on LGBTQ Affairs and the Mayor's Office on Women's Policy Initiatives hosted the Audre Lorde/Bayard Rustin Reception: A Celebration of Black Excellence, during Black History Month. The reception was held at Smith Public Trust The event featured speakers from each of the host offices as well as information regarding the new PrEP intitaive launched by the DC Department of Health. 
Fair Shot: African American Job + Prosperity Fair
On Saturday, February 24, 2018, Mayor Bowser hosted A Fair Shot: African American Job + Prosperity Fair , a live showcase of the A Fair Shot: A Toolkit for African American Prosperity . The fair featured more than 40 DC government agencies and partners that we onsite to help connect residents to programs and resources. The Fair also included interactive activities for families from the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), music, and a live demonstration from Black ‘Made in DC’ makers.

Residents had the opportunity to interact and network with more than 20 employers including Comcast, Washington Airports Authority, MCN Build , and other hiring employers to present career opportunities to District residents. Over 1,000 attendees had access to programs and resources, attended breakout sessions on jobs, entrepreneurship, homeownership, financial wellness, and small business strategies. 
The Champs are Here: 2 Years of the Commission on Fathers, Men and Boys
The Commission on Fathers, Men and Boys (CFMB) celebrated two years of engaging the community with a holiday mixer, toy giveaway, and recognition ceremony celebrating the commissioners, city leaders, and partners that have supported the work of CFMB over the past two years. The theme, " The Champs Are Here ," a positive affirmation from the late, great Muhammad Ali, set that tone as CFMB celebrated the "champions" that support fathers, men and boys in the District of Columbia. Additionally, CFMB recognized several community-based organizations doing great work on behalf of young men and boys, including the FBR Boys and Girls Club at THEARC, the Kelly Miller DC Scores Soccer team, and the Marshall Heights Bison Football team.

DMGEO In the News
  • The Afro: Mayor Announces Toolkit for Black Prosperity
  • Technical.ly: Project 500 is Helping East-of-the-River Businesses Grow
  • Construction Equipment Guide.com: New Infrastructure Academy Designed to Help Fill Industry Jobs
  • WTOP:DC Launches Effort to Train Workers for High Paying Infrastructure Jobs
  • Equities.com: Re-writing the Tale of Two Cities: How Washington DC's Leaders hope to Ensure Economic Development is Happening With Underserved Communities, Not to Them 
  • Street Sense: Pilot Program Houses Residents While They Find Work
  • Today.com: The Unexpected Gift: How Motherhood Changed the Life of DC Deputy Mayor Courtney Snowden and Unexpectedly Helps Those She Serves
2235 Shannon Place SE, Suite 3040, Washington, DC 20020, (202) 545-3071, TTY: 711