September 16, 2022
Dear Washingtonians,
Yesterday, we came together with elected leaders and experts from across the country for our annual National Maternal and Infant Health Summit. I want to thank everyone who helped make the summit a success and everyone who is helping us spread the message that in a country as prosperous as ours, you should not have to risk your life to have a baby.
For the fifth year in a row, we used the summit to sound the alarm about why these issues are so important:
- Issues related to maternal mortality affect families nationwide and affect people of all income levels.
- Black women are three to four times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy complications.
- For every pregnancy-related death, it is estimated that there are another 70 near deaths.?
We also discussed the whole-of-government approach that is needed to support families before, during, and after pregnancy.
I am grateful that we have leaders in Congress and in health care who are making families and maternal health a priority.?I hope you will take some time to watch my conversation with a few of those leaders, including Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11), Congresswoman?Lauren Underwood (IL-14),?Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, and?Nicole Austin-Hillery.
Let's keep speaking up, making our voices heard, and investing in solutions that work for moms, babies, and families.?
 Tomorrow, Saturday, September 17, join DC Public Schools for a Back to School Block Party from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Eliot-Hine Middle School. Enjoy free food and resources, fun activities, and amazing performances from DCPS students!
We hope to see you rain or shine!
RSVP at bit.ly/dcpsblockparty22
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 Mayor Bowser and the Mayor?s Office on Latino Affairs (MOLA) are hosting various events throughout Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate, promote, preserve, and protect DC?s Latino culture.?
In addition to other events, including the annual Fiesta DC Festival and Parade, MOLA will be hosting three?Distrito de Cultura pop-up events that showcase the multicultural beauty of the Americas and the Caribbean:
- Tuesday, September 20: 14th and Spring Road NW at 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 27: 1858 Columbia Road NW at 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 4: Colada Shop (10 Pearl Street SW) at 4:00 p.m.
Learn more about upcoming events and celebrations by following MOLA on Twitter at @OLADCGov and on Instagram at @oladcgov.?
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 This week, Mayor?Bowser, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), and 1863 Ventures opened applications for the next round of the Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund (IIEIF). The initiative, which launched last year, aims to address the variance in capital access for businesses that seldom receive early-stage funding through conventional financing.
Eligible businesses are defined as ?Equity Impact Enterprises? that have $2 million or less in annual revenue and certify that their business is unable to obtain conventional financing or is a business enterprise that cannot reasonably be expected to qualify for financing under the standards of commercial lending. In addition, the business must be a resident-owned business and a small business enterprise that can demonstrate that it is at least 51% owned by an individual who is ? or a majority number of individuals who are ? economically disadvantaged or has been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias because of their identity as a member of a group without regard to their individual qualities.
Applications for the Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund are open until January 31, 2023. Find more information and apply HERE.?
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