From: Councilmember Kenyan R.
McDuffie <kmcduffie@dccouncil.us>
Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2021 7:53 PM
Subject: Ward 5 Report February 18 - Our Racial Equity Agenda
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Neighbor,
Last week, I wrote in the Washington Post about the urgent need for
a racial equity agenda here in the nation's capital. I argued that
achieving racial equity would improve the quality of life for every
D.C. resident and finally give the least among us a real fair shot.
I want to explain a little more why every District resident
benefits from a racial equity agenda.
Certainly, our government must deliver an equitable recovery that
isn’t just a return to normal for residents who feel left behind.
But investing in Black communities isn’t just morally essential,
it’s also good economics. Racial equity and economic inclusion
aren’t zero-sum games. Empowering underserved communities and
investing in Black businesses will significantly grow the
prosperity of our city. New businesses create more jobs and expand
our tax base to fund critical government services. Growing the
proverbial economic pie benefits all district residents, not only
communities of color. I hope you will join me in advocating for
DC's racial equity agenda.
In service,
Kenyan
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In this
issue of the Ward 5 Report:
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Last week,
Councilmember McDuffie penned an Op-ed in the Washington Post entitled
" DC's Racial Equity Agenda Demands Action Now." In it,
Councilmember McDuffie explains, "Our government has an
obligation to provide D.C. residents with the resources they need
to achieve their full potential. Achieving racial equity would
improve the quality of life for every D.C. resident and finally
give the least among us a real fair shot." You can read
his full op-ed here.
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Councilmember
McDuffie also spoke with City Paper about
the importance of getting the Covid vaccine, the Washington Informer on
the need to pass his new reparations legislation, and NBC4 regarding the
impact of his Fair Meals Delivery Act on local restaurants.
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Committee on
Business and Economic Development Oversight Schedule
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Fiscal Year 2022
Budget Engagement Forums
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Mayor Bowser
has also released the schedule for her FY22 budget engagement forums.
These forums are important opportunities to make your voice heard and
priorities known during the budget process. The next forum will be
Saturday, February 20th at 11 AM. You can sign up and learn more
about this process here.
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Celebrating Black
History Month
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On Tuesday,
Councilmember McDuffie spoke at DMPED's weekly recovery check-in
about the importance of intentional and targeted economic investments
in Black communities as a part of his racial equity agenda and
ensuring our recovery isn't simply a return to normal for
historically underserved residents. View the full conversation here.
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Check out a
screening of the new documentary, Go-Go City, at 6:30 pm on February
23rd on GoGoRadio Live. Join the post-film conversation with
Councilmember McDuffie and others as they discuss the important of
preserving Go-Go's legacy and investing in Black communities that
aren't seeing equitable economic investments.
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Join
Councilmember McDuffie for a panel conversation hosted by the
Thurgood Marshall Center Trust discussing the importance of
celebrating Black history year-round.
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Community
Leadership Meetings
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On
Saturday, February 13th Councilmember McDuffie and his staff met
with ANC and Civic Association leaders from the ANC 5A & 5C
areas to discuss the latest COVID and public safety updates as well
as hear what issues are affecting community members.
Yesterday, February 17th, Councilmember McDuffie held another
leadership meeting (featured below) with ANC 5B and corresponding
Civic Association leaders.
The final meeting with ANC 5D & 5E and Civic Association
leaders will take place on February 20th.
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DMPED has
re-opened the Entertainment Bridge Fund Grant Program, which aims
to provide $29.5 million in financial relief to the entertainment
industry. The fund is comprised of two programs: (1) Venue
Program that will support DC’s entertainment venues, and (2)
Supporting Business Program that will support entertainment
businesses that do not have site control of a venue but their
activities heavily rely on live events.
Visit https://coronavirus.dc.gov/bridgefund to
learn more and apply.
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The newest
round of PPP funding is now open and accepting applications. Learn if
your business is eligible and how to apply at PPPready.com.
You can also view the DC Department of Small and Local Business
Development's webinar on accessing PPP funding here.
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DSLBD is
distributing free Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) care packages
to District businesses.
There will be two PPE distribution sites, one in Anacostia and one
downtown by the Convention Center. In order to receive a PPE Care
Package, businesses will need to complete the PPE Sign-Up
Form.
The form and additional details can be found here.
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DMPED
announcing the availability of $5M in funding for the DC Local
Equity, Access, and Preservation Funds program (DC LEAF). DC
LEAF incorporates three separate solicitations: (1) FY 2021
Neighborhood Prosperity Fund, (2) FY 2021 Nourish DC Fund, and (3) FY
2021 Locally Made Manufacturing Grant Program.
Applications opened on February 12th at https://dmped.dc.gov/ and close
at 4 PM on Friday, March 15th. Learn more about DC LEAF funding here.
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DCPS and DC
Charter School Lottery Deadline
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March 1,
2021 is the deadline for students going into PK3 through 8th grade to
apply for the DCPS and DC Charter School lottery. Go to http://myschooldc.org
to sign up or call (202) 888-6336.
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Marion Barry
Summer Youth Employment Program
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MBSYEP
applications are open from now until February 27th. You can learn
more and apply here.
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DC Commemorative
Works Location Survey
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The
Commemorative Works Location Strategy has identified potential
locations for commemorative works in public spaces throughout DC. You
can give your input on their survey here.
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Rent and Utility
Payment Relief
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DC
Government is supporting low-income residents who need assistance
paying their rent and utility bills.
Housing providers may apply to the Covid-19 Housing Assistance
Program (CHAP) on behalf of eligible tenants. Learn more at coronavirus.dc.gov/rent
Households eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP) can receive up to $1800 in benefits. Click here to learn more about how to
qualify and apply for benefits.
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Unemployment
Benefits Updates
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The latest
federal relief package that was signed into law on December 27th
extended funding for several unemployment benefits programs
including the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC),
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), and Pandemic Emergency
Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).
This relief package also creates a new benefits program, the Mixed
Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) fund, which provides
benefits for residents who work part-time and made at least $5000
in the latest taxable year. Applications are open from now until
March 14th.
Learn more about the new MEUC program here.
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Round 2 of
the DC CARES cash assistance program for excluded workers is now
open. DC is providing $1000 to DC residents who lost their job or
worked less due to COVID and were excluded from unemployment benefits
or federal stimulus. Please note, residents who already received DC
Cares funds in the first round are not eligible for round 2.
To learn more and apply, visit dccares2021.org
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Covid-19 and
Vaccine Updates
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Currently,
residents 65 and older, and those who work in health
care, grocery store settings, health and human services and
social services outreach, manufacturing, and food packaging can
sign up for the vaccine through the vaccinate.dc.gov portal or by
calling 855-363-0333
Today at 6 PM, appointments will become available for residents
living in high-priority zip codes, every zip code in Ward 5 is
high-priority for this purpose. On Friday at 6 PM, another
batch of appointments becomes available to all qualifying residents
and Ward 5 residents can sign up that day as well. The following
week, appointments will become available at 9 AM, and signup times
will alternate every week between evening and morning.
Certain groups of essential workers also qualify for the vaccine,
such as teachers, in-person school staff, MPD officers, and
childcare professionals, These individuals sign up through portals
specific to their industry and agency that oversees their work. The
mayor has also signaled that grocery store workers could soon get
added to this list of essential workers.
FInally, starting on March 1st, Washingtonians between the ages of
64 and 16 with certain underlying medical conditions can sign up
for the vaccine. The full criteria list can be found below.
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