Thursday, March 04, 2021

this week's Ward 5 Report on 03-04-2021: "Ward 5 Report 3/4 - Eliminating the Racial Wealth Gap"

From: Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie <kmcduffie@dccouncil.us>
Sent: Thursday, March 4, 2021 4:07 PM
Subject: Ward 5 Report 3/4 - Eliminating the Racial Wealth Gap 

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Neighbor,

I recently sent my FY 2022 budget request letter to Mayor Bowser calling for resources to alleviate the immediate impacts of Covid, address Ward 5 constituent priorities, and advance a racial equity agenda that gives all residents a real fair shot. Among the roughly $385 million in funding I request, I want to highlight the $120 million I called for to help eliminate the racial wealth gap.

Specifically, I call for a $100 million dollar investment to launch a basic guaranteed income program and $20 million to create a baby bonds initiative. Both proposals would empower low-income residents and provide an extra layer of financial security at a time when residents need it most. I know that low-wage workers, small business owners, and Washingtonians of color have been most affected by this pandemic. 

You can learn more about the proposals and full spending requests in my press release and full budget request letter.

In service,

Kenyan

 

 

Kenyan in The News

 

See some of the places Councilmember McDuffie was mentioned in the news this past week:

WIN TV Interview on advancing Racial Equity – his segment starts 37 minutes in.
DC Equity Office Calls for Vaccine Plan Changes (AP)
DC Taps Pastors to Overcome Racial Divide on Vaccine (AP)
DC celebrates 1-year anniversary of go-go as District’s official music (WTOP)
ACLU Sues D.C. Police Department Over Missing Stop and Frisk Data (DCist)
First Woman on the Roll of Union Bethel AME Church, Bought Freedom for Herself and Other Slaves (The Tennessee Tribune)
Panel agrees Racial equity in DC requires more work (WTOP)

 

Kenyan in the Community

 


Last Thursday, Councilmember McDuffie joined faith leaders at the New Samaritan Baptist Church to announce a new vaccine partnership between New Samaritan and Five Medicine. Five Medicine will administer covid vaccines in their mobile clinics at the Church located on 1100 Florida ave. 

Councilmember McDuffie called on DC Health to advance this partnership after New Samaritan expressed their willingness to help vaccinate residents. Trusted community partners are effective at vaccinating hard-to-reach residents and reducing vaccine skepticism. 

These vaccines are available for residents living in Wards 5,7, and 8 who are 65 and older or have a chronic medical condition. To sign up, go to FiveMedicine.com, click schedule an appointment, and then select NSBC clinic. 

 

 


Check out Councilmember McDuffie discuss the importance of Go-Go to DC's culture and the need to make targeted investments into communities of color here

 

 


Today, Councilmember McDuffie met with Moms Demand Action to discuss tackling gun violence, fully implementing the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results (NEAR) Act, and keeping our communities safe. 

 

Small Business Spotlight

 

 


Make sure to support our local businesses in Ward 5 like Provost on Rhode Island Avenue! In celebration of Women's History Month, we especially encourage you to find and support women-owned businsses.

 

 


The next round of PPP loans from the Small Business Administration is still open, learn more here.

 

Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program

 


The deadline for applications to the MBSYEP program has been extended until March 6th.

Apply at summerjobs.dc.gov

 

Covid Vaccine Updates

 

 

After last week's technical issues with the vaccine sign-up portal, improvements have been made to the website, and starting next week, DC Health will use a pre-registration system for making vaccine appointments. Under the new system, residents will provide their information to DC health and then receive an email, phone call, and/or text message when appointments become available to them.

Currently, vaccines are available to residents 65 and older, certain essential workers, and residents aged 16-64 with qualifying medical conditions. Please note, residents who are 16 or 17 years old with qualifying medical conditions must signup for their vaccine through the Children's National Hospital instead of the normal portal. The link to that page can be found at coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccine

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

To learn more, check out the slides from the Mayor's 3/4 and 2/22 situational updates





 

 


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