Backgrounder

The Mayor Office of African-American Affairs was established in 2015. The commission was the
idea of former Mayor Marion Barry, who wrote the enabling legislation in 2011. It was signed into
law by then-Mayor Vincent C. Gray and subsequently established by Mayor Muriel Bowser the
Mayor’s Office of African American Affairs. The idea was a response to the decline of African-
American residents in the District as indicated by the 2010 United States Census.

The charge of the commission is to advise the Mayor, the Council, and the public on the views and
needs of African-American communities in the district. The commission focuses on the areas of
economics, education, and health as it relates to the African American community. OAAA works
to empower District residents through direct engagement with constituents and works to support
residents by connecting them to government services. The commission’s mission to engage the
extraordinarily diverse culture of the African American community in the District of Columbia.
OAAA works to empower these residents through equipping them with the government resources
and services that they need while also providing programmatic support to each facet of the
community. The OAAA mission is extended into the core value which are as follows:

• To uplift, to support, to enhance, the positive development, growth, productivity,

education, and success of the African American community in our words, actions, and
behavior.
• To remember our rich history and sacrifice as an ignitive force to motivate, to inspire, and
to empower the African American community to new levels of success and positive
growth.
• To positively influence all ages and economic groups of the African American community
to new heights and levels of achievement.

The OAAA is lead by Director Rahman Branch. Branch oversees 17 public, voting members
appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Council. Together they work to
accomplish 3 main goals:

• Increase Engagement: Engage African-American constituents through events, initiatives

and programs.
• Build Capacity of the Office: Solidify relationships with key agencies as determined by
key issues (education, housing, economic opportunity) and align the Commission of
African-Americans work to the goals.
• Grow the African-American Middle Class: Offer capacity building training for small
business owners and residents looking to start/transfer their businesses to the District.
Fact Sheet

• Mayor’s Office on African American Affairs was created in 2015, is under

consideration by the D.C. Council.
• In 2015, was appointed Rahman Branch is the director of the Commission on African
American.
• Maurice Jackson, former Chair of the District of Columbia's first ever DC Commission
on African American Affairs
• Mayor’s Office on African American Affairs is a cluster agency under the leadership of
Deputy Mayor Snowden.
• The commission was the idea of then-D.C. Council member Marion Barry, who wrote the
enabling legislation in 2011.
• The commission was a response to to the decline of African-American residents as
indicated by the 2010 United States Census.
• Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) signed the enabling legislation for the commission.
• A bill from Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd to fully fund and staff the skeletal
Mayor’s Office on African American Affairs.
• Mayor Muriel Bowser established the Mayor’s Office of African American Affairs.

• The Commission shall consist of 17 public voting members appointed by the Mayor, with
the advice and consent of the Council.

• Public members shall serve terms of 3 years; except, that of the initial members, 6 shall
be appointed for a term of 3 years, 6 shall be appointed for a term of 2 years, and 5 shall
be appointed for a term of 1 year.
• Public members may be reappointed, but may serve no more than 2 consecutive full
terms.
 Director’s Bio

Rahman Branch is the District's first director of the Office of African

American Affairs. He joined Mayor Muriel Bowser’s team in February
of 2015; his office serves as the liaison between the District’s African
community, District government agencies, and the Mayor. Rahman is
committed to improving the quality of life, increasing engagement, and
supporting development of the District’s African community, by means
of unique partnerships and new initiatives in government agencies.

As a longtime District resident, Branch began public service in the Park

Morton community as a Program Coordinator for the Department of
Justice’s Weed and Seed program. In 2005, Branch joined the administrative staff of Ballou Senior High
School as an assistant principal. There, Branch focused on college awareness, which brought about an influx
in college scholarship and financial aid funds for the students. Moreover, Branch tackled truancy issues
within the school, resulting in a 17-point reduction in truancy over 16-month period. By 2008, Branch was
promoted to Principal of Ballou High School.

Branch served as Principal of Ballou High School in the Ward 8 neighborhood of Congress Heights for the
next 6 years before joining the Office of Mayor Bowser. Leading the school, Branch leveraged his position
and effected great change. He rebranded the high school and created the mission to “Develop and graduate
globally competitive students for college, career, and leadership. Harmoniously, he coined “The New
Ballou” to move away from past reputations and instill pride amongst the students. In addition, he
established a nonprofit arm, with an operating budget of four million dollars to support school wrap-around
services and supplemental programming for college advancement efforts including a scholarship fund. By
the end of his tenure he boosted 9th grade promotion rate by nearly 25 points and graduation rate by 20
points.

At Ballou High School, Branch was dedicated to creating an environment of excellence; a mantra that he
has carried over to the Mayor’s Office on African American Affairs. Branch holds a Bachelor of Arts degree
in English from University of Virginia and a Master’s in Education Administration and an Executive
Master’s in Leadership from Trinity University and Georgetown University - The McDonough School of
Business, respectively.
 PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 2nd, 2019

CONTACT:
LaToya Foster (EOM) – (202) 727-5011; latoya.foster@dc.gov

Mayor Bowser Presents ‘A Fair Shot: A Toolkit for African

American Prosperity
An exhibit of District programs and services that create pathways to the Middle Class for
African American Residents

On Thursday, February 1, 2018, Mayor Muriel Bowser kicked off Black History Month with the
released of DC’s first ever Toolkit for African American Prosperity. he event was held at the
historic Howard Theatre where longtime residents, business owners, and community
stakeholders gathered to celebrate the reveal.

Many residents are often feel left out of the prosperity the District has accomplished. MOAAA
director said, “Our community built much of the city's, its culture and its character” and feels that is why it is
even more important to make sure that the African American community is not overlook in the District strides to
economic propensity and progress.

Live. Grow. Learn. A Fair Shot: A Toolkit for African American Prosperity is the first of it kind. It is
a collaborative effort from the Mayor Bowser MOAAA. 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. The District’s
economy is thriving with a growing population of 700,000 residents and an annual budget of
more than $13 billion. The Bowser Administration is leveraging DC government programs to
ensure all of our residents have a fair shot by making available resources they need to purchase
a home, start a business, or support their families.

The efforts of this toolkit are integral to the Bowser Administrations mission, mayor bowser said,
“With this toolkit, we are ensuring that the hardworking residents who benefit most from the many
resources and programs we have available actually know about them. You have been here for D.C.,
and we are going to continue to be here for you.”
#AFairShot is the tagline associated with DC endeavors to fuel the African American community.
Additionally, the toolkit will be bought to life February 24th during, A Fair Shot: American AmThe
fair will bring DC government agencies, DC non-profit organizations, and local businesses under
one roof and enabled residents to navigate programs and resources they offer. Exhibitors will
provide one-on-one guidance, resources, and host breakout sessions on jobs, entrepreneurship,
homeownership, financial wellness, and small business strategies.

To learn more about A Fair Shot and to obtain a copy of the toolkit visit:
https://dmgeo.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dmgeo/publication/attachments/PathwaytoProspe
rity4_1.30.18_finalweb.pdf

WHEN:
Saturday, February 1th, 2018
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

WHO:
Mayor Muriel Bowser
Courtney Snowden, Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity (DMGEO)
Rahman Branch, Director, Office on African American Affairs

WHERE:
Howard Theatre
620 T St NW, Washington, DC 20001

###

Social Media:
#FairShot
 MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 2, 2018

CONTACT:
LaToya Foster (EOM) – (202) 727-5011; latoya.foster@dc.gov

Ward 4 Public Forum

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Ward 8 Public Forum (OAAA)

On February 6, 2018 the Commission on African American Affairs will hold a public forum on
economic development, education, and housing in Ward 4. The forum will give residents the
opportunity and platform to discuss the needs of the community and learn more about the work of
the Commission. The forum is directly inspiring by the OAAA mission to engage the the African
American community in the District of Columbia. During these forums community stakeholders
come together give feedback directly to the government. The OAAA uses these forums to collect
testimonies to further their own community initiatives.

WHEN:
Sunday, March 4 at 4:00 p.m.

WHO:
Rahman Branch, Director MOAAA
Brandon Todd, Ward 4 Council Member

WHERE:

###

Social Media:
MOAAA Twitter: @MayorBowser

This year the MOAA kicked off Black History Month in During Black History Month in a very
special way. MOAA celebrated the impact and achievements of African Americans in Washington
DC. Mayor's Office on African American Affairs hosted a number of events to recognize the rich
history, culture and legacy of African American Washingtonians.

Black History Twitter Campaign

On February 1st, 2018 the MOAAA launched a Black History Month Twitter Campaign. The
Campaign entitled #BlackFirst revealed a compilation of the Black Pioneers. Through the
campaign the MOAAA hoped to pay homage to those leaders and to motivate the African
American community in the District to break through barriers and to pioneer in the field of choice.
For more information please visit, https://twitter.com/MOAAA_DC

A Fair Shot: A Toolkit for African American Prosperity

On Thursday, February 1, 2018, 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 Theatre where longtime 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. The District’s economy is thriving with a growing population of
700,000 residents and an annual budget of more than $13 billion. The Bowser Administration is
leveraging DC government programs to ensure all of our residents have a fair shot by making
available resources they need to purchase a home, start a business, or support their families.

Frederick Douglass Statue Unveiling

On February 14th, 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. On February 14th, 2018 Mayor Bowser unveiled a restored portrait of Frederick
Douglass in honor of his 200th Birthday Celebration. Arguably, Frederick Douglass, the iconic
19th century civil rights leader, made his greatest contributions as a free man while living in the
District of Columbia. Following the ceremony community was invited attend a reception and
permanent home of the portrait.

Black History Film Festival (OAAA)

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 Muriel Bowser’s Office on African American Affairs and Urban Film Review to showcase
African American and African cinematic expressions.

I AM Frederick Douglass Event (OAAA)

On February 23, 2018 the I AM Frederick Douglass Celebration commemorated the 200th
birthday of Frederick Douglass by presenting excerpts of the film Enslavement to Emancipation,
a panel discussion on the legacy of Frederick Douglass, musical performances by the National
Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and a Douglass actor portrayal by LeCount Holmes, Jr. This event
was presented by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) in collaboration with
the Mayor's Office on African Affairs (MOAA), the Mayor's Office on African American Affairs
(MOAAA) and the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME).

Direct Branch believes that these events and the celebration to Black History Month is his duty
and times like this often help him reflect on his purpose. He left me with this, “I’m here for the
work,” he says. “Whatever the ether is saying, I was doing this work in this community before
this mayor and I was proud to be appointed to do this work now. I have been here for a while in
service. I feel like that’s what we’re supposed to do.”

Good Morning everyone,

Thank you for joining us to celebrate a great day for Washington, DC - the reveal of A Fair Shot: A

I’d like to begin today by recognizing:

• Mayor Bowser
• Courtney Snowden, Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity
• And my team

For your contributions to this project.

We are grateful for the opportunity to spread prosperity and create more pathways to the middle class for D.C.
residents.

My name is Rahman Branch I'm the executive director for the Mayor's Office on African American Affairs.

African Americans in Washington DC have created a rich history that cannot be overlooked.

Our community built much of the city's, its culture and its character

…and today Mayor Bowser and the Mayor's “Office on African American Affairs are focused on ensuring that
our community has the tools to take advantage of the prosperity and the progress of he district.

Mayor Bowser values the contributions of African-Americans in this district

…and it's important to note, that while others have followed suit she is the first mayor in the United States to
seat an office of this capacity directly focus on serving the African-Americans.

The Mayor's “Office on African American Affairs is committed to enhancing opportunities for African American
residents.

Through creative partnerships, initiatives and constant support.

It's important that the revitalization of Washington DC includes the active involvement about African Americans

Washington, DC is a place where residents have often mentioned feeling left out or locked out of opportunities
and programs that support their drive in their pathway to the middle class.

…and we hear you.

this toolkit serves as the starting point for Washingtonians have a fair shot at prosperity

and I hope everyone here and within our community is able to better leverage of the opportunities provided by
the District with the guidance of this book.

Thank you