The DC Area Educators for Social Justice is programming the third annual DC Area Black Lives Matter at Schools Week of Action. Link here for more information.
Category: DC News & Events
Local events or news related to engagement with DC, social change in DC, or hosted by our community partners.
People’s History and Climate Justice Curriculum Working Group
The DC Area Educators for Social Justice has formed a new working group for DC area middle and high school teachers who are committed to teaching with a "people's history" lens. Their next meeting will be December 14th, with a focus on teaching with the New York Times' 1619 Project and learning how to engage students in the food justice summit at UDC. Link here for more information.
New DC Program: Connected Schools
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced a new program at Anacostia High School: the Safer Stronger DC Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement’s (ONSE) Leadership Academy – a school-based initiative aimed at promoting school and community safety by providing wraparound services and mentorship through direct engagement with students and their families. Link to the full announcement.
We look forward to learning how GW can partner with DC Public Schools on the community schools approach through the "Connected Schools" initiative.
This school year, Anacostia became one of ten DCPS Connected Schools – a new $1.6 million investment by Mayor Bowser to take the community schools model to the next level. Connected Schools take a whole child, whole school, whole community approach by transforming schools into spaces that support not only a student’s academic development, but a family’s overall wellbeing through access to resources related to health, employment, housing and more. The ONSE Leadership Academy is an example of how Connected Schools transform the way DC agencies work together to break down persistent in-school and out-of-school barriers students face.
Elliot School Hosts “Waging Peace in Vietman: An Exhibit, A Book, A Movement”
"Waging Peace in Vietnam: An Exhibit, A Book, A Movement" will take place at the George Washington University from November 11th-15th, 2019.
Day 1: Mon. November 11th, 2019
...continue reading "Elliot School Hosts “Waging Peace in Vietman: An Exhibit, A Book, A Movement”"
Waging Peace in Vietnam Conference, Peace Poetry Workshop & Open Mic
"As part of the Waging Peace in Vietnam Conference hosted by Partnerships for International Strategies in Asia (PISA), the Elliott School of International Affairs will hold a Peace Poetry Open Mic commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Mobilization for Peace." To learn more about the event, please click here.
The Open Mic will take place Wednesday, November 13th from 6 to 8pm in the 2nd Floor Atrium. 1957 E St, NW, 20052.
To note, before the Open Mic, "a Peace Poetry Workshop will take place in Room 213 from 5 to 6pm. During the Workshop, Vietnam veteran poets Jan Barry and Lamont B. Steptoe will assist individuals wishing to write poetry to share at the Open Mic later in the evening."
To RSVP for the workshop & open mic, please click here.
If you have questions, please contact leapinitiative@gwu.edu.
Upcoming Event: Civics & the Future of Democracy
On November 6th from 8-11:45am at the Newseum, the Atlantic and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University are hosting an upcoming event to discuss the role and implementation of civic education in our democracy.
Two of the main topics at the event will be ‘Is civics education a constitutional right’ and ‘can we fix democracy in the classroom?’ Speakers at the event include the presidents of Johns Hopkins University, Howard University, and Davidson College, as well as Ahmed Sesay, a recent high school graduate who is taking these ideas to court.
This event is open to both students and faculty. Click here for more information on the event and to find out how to register.
District of Columbia College Personnel Association (DCCPA) Conference at GW!
“DCCPA’s Annual Conference will take the theme “Capitalizing on Change,” and brings together higher education professionals from across the region to exchange ideas and discuss best practices, research, current issues, and trends in local, national, and global higher education. The conference will take place on December 6, 2019 at the George Washington University.
Our world, our city, and our institutions are in an era of change and within the next decade, our local and national higher education landscape will look vastly different. A combination of political, economic, demographic, and technological changes are influencing the way in which we do our work every day and while challenging, this era of change presents unique opportunities for innovation and creativity. We want to know how you, your students, and your institutions are rising to the challenges facing us today. What are the ways in which you are capitalizing on change? What are the ways in which you’re preparing for change? How are you preparing your students to enter a changing workforce and economic landscape? How have you succeeded in creating change in your area?
DCCPA encourages program submissions that connect to ACPA’s Strategic Imperative on Racial Justice and Decolonization. DCCPA, a chapter of ACPA: College Student Educators International, boldly supports the ACPA Strategic Imperative on Racial Justice and Decolonization and explicitly, but not exclusively, invites program proposals that center on the experiences of marginalized peoples. If you have questions about the strategic imperative, you are invited to review the literature here and engage the board with your questions."
- Submissions are due October 25, 2019.
- Confirmations will be sent out on or around November 4.
Read the full call for proposals and submit your proposal here.
GW Students Join Thousands of Activists in ‘Global Climate Strike’
GW students joined many other young activists to participate in the ‘Global Climate Strike’ on Friday, September 20th 2019. This happened following environmental activist Greta Thunberg speaking at Lisner Auditorium on the topic of climate change earlier in the week.
Luckily, a GW Hatchet photographer was there to capture all the activity. Check out the rest of the photos here
President LeBlanc Supports Push for D.C. Statehood Alongside Other University Presidents
On September 19th, Congress held a hearing regarding D.C. statehood for the first time in 25 years. The hearing happened as a result of H.R 51, a bill that would make D.C. a state, which was sponsored by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the non-voting member of Congress that represents the district. Councilmembers and Mayor Bowser testified at the hearing, which was held by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Reform.
University president Thomas LeBlanc took action, writing a letter to the committee. LeBlanc is passionate about the push for statehood as he feels it would aid in expanding the amount of research the university could do by allowing access to federal grants and funding.
LeBlanc is joined by both other university presidents as well as students. At GW, students advocate for statehood through multiple avenues, one being the student organization Students for D.C. Statehood. Other university presidents in the district, including Georgetown, American University, and Trinity Washington University wrote letter for support to the committee as well.
To learn more about this, check out the full GW Hatchet article here
“Her Story Matters,” Breast Cancer Awareness
To note, there are two events listed, one on October 7th and one on October 13th.
Monday, October 7th, the Health Alliance Network will celebrate 6 years of Health advocacy, collaboration, programs and convening for community health equity and empowerment!
The focus will be on Breast Cancer to prepare for the 5th Annual "Her Story Matters" and Fannie Lou Hamer "Courage In Action" awards program.
Event information as follows:
- Monday, October 7th from 12 noon to 2:30 pm at The Dorothy Height/Benning Library, 3935 Benning Rd NE (lower lvl large conference rm; 3 blks fr Minn Ave Metro, parking in rear).
Guest presenters:
- Dr. Colletta Orr, Research Scientist, author of the book ."Cancer Doesn't Always Win: A Comprehensive Guide to Beating Breast and Ovarian Cancer" (Books will be available);
- Robin Hamilton, writer, producer and Director of the short film "This Little Light Of Mine: The Legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer." We will be showing a preview trailer of this important movie at the meeting.
Recently introduced health legislation on vaping and midwifery, the hospitals' status, other cancer initiative announcements, and more, will also be discussed.
To note, IMMEDIATELY following this meeting will be our LAST Her Story Matters planning meeting!
October 13th, the Health Alliance Network is proud to announce the 5th ANNUAL "HER STORY MATTERS tm" and Fannie Lou Hamer "Courage In Action" Breast Cancer Awards! This special year we have expanded and will honor DC's women of color from Wards 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 AND the African Diaspora! Dr. Colletta Orr will be the keynote speaker, and will show the film by Robin Hamilton--"This Little Light of Mine: The Legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer!" Come hear the stories of women, see our "Passing the Courage" ceremony and be a part of the Prayer Power Circle!
Event/meeting information as follows:
- “Her Story Matters” will take place on Sunday, October 13th at 2pm at THE ARC, located at 1901 Mississippi Ave SE.
- Doors will open at 2:00 pm. The event is FREE, but tickets are only available starting October 4th on Eventbrite. Catered food served. Every year tickets have sold out in 3-4 days, so you best get yours early!
Racial Equity and the Anacostia River
“The Anacostia River has long been a dividing line of racial inequity in DC. In the past few years, the city has invested heavily in cleaning up the river and bringing development to its shores, but those who have lived along the banks of the river and suffered its environmental effects are being pushed out, just as the river is finally getting clean. Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) has joined a coalition of local organizations working to require the DC government to assess whether or not its action help repair racial inequities.”
The event will occur Sunday, October 13, 2019 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM at Kingman and Heritage Islands Park, 575 OKLAHOMA Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
Please click here to sign up and for more information.
DC’s rent control law, 2019 Tenant Summit
"The law governing rent increases for residents of the District’s older apartment buildings is up for renewal in 2020. And rent control dominates the September 28th Tenant & Tenant Association Summit.
DC’s Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA) organizes the summit, now in its 12th year. It’s free to attend. They even serve lunch. Register and view the full schedule here, or register by phone at 202-241-5942.”
For more information, please visit Forrest Hills CONNECTION or click here.
March on Washington Film Festival
The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement are pleased to partner with the March on Washington Film Festival (MOWFF) to bring many of its Fall 2019 Film Festival events to GW next week, September 24-28. The events listed below will be held in the GW School of Media and Public Affairs. To see a full listing of events and descriptions, visit here: https://www.marchonwashingtonfilmfestival.org/2019-festival
GW students, faculty, and staff can attend these events free by registering through EviteBrite and entering the promo code: MOWFFGW1
Center for American Progress Hosts Forum on Advancing a Race Equity Education Policy Agenda
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801 Mt Vernon Pl NW Room 202A Washington, D.C. 20001 |
GW’s ArtReach Gallery Exhibit Featured in WAMU Story
This month, an exhibit by GW's ArtReach Gallery, located in THEARC in DC's Ward 8, featured artwork created by local high school students based on their interview with a Holocaust survivor. Linked here is a thought-provoking piece on the exhibit, by WAMU.
‘They Ask Me, What Is The Holocaust?’ Teens Connect With Holocaust Survivors Through Art
