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Mayor Bowser Presents ‘A Fair Shot: African American Job and Prosperity Fair’

Saturday, February 24, 2018

(Washington, DC)  Today, Mayor Bowser is hosting A Fair Shot: African American Job and Prosperity Fair – a live showcase of A Fair Shot: A Toolkit for African American Prosperity. The fair will feature over 40 DC Government agencies, non-profit organizations, and local businesses under one roof, highlighting programs, resources, and services that can help African American residents navigate their path to economic prosperity. Additionally, attendees will be able to receive one-on-one counseling, speak with employers, and participate in breakout sessions on jobs, entrepreneurship, homeownership, financial wellness, and small business growth strategies.

This week, we announced that our city’s population has now reached 700,000. While this growth is good for our city because it means we can make bigger investments in our residents and neighborhoods, we also know that it means we must be more intentional about ensuring all residents are able to participate in our city’s prosperity,” said Mayor Bowser. “Creating pathways to the middle class means providing a range of services and programs that match the needs of our residents. Along with the toolkit, today’s fair is about making sure Washingtonians know about the resources we have available.

Like the toolkit, today’s fair is divided into four sections: individual residents, senior citizens, families, and business owners. The event also features a Black Makers Showcase to highlight local African American creatives and small business owners.

“DC has experienced a remarkable economic renaissance, but far too many of our African American residents, especially those with longstanding roots in the District, have not benefited from the prosperity that is sweeping across the city they helped build,” said Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity Courtney R. Snowden. “That is why we are doubling down on efforts to prepare and connect our residents to good paying jobs, increase capital for entrepreneurs of color, and rebuild and revitalize overlooked and underserved communities.”

In January 2018, Forbes.com ranked Washington, DC the number one city where African Americans are doing best economically. The ranking was based on three factors: highest median income for Black residents nationwide, highest homeownership rates, and the highest growth rate of startups (measured by number of employees) over the last five years.