What We Do
- MOCCA seeks to engage the extraordinarily diverse culture of the Caribbean Diaspora in the District of Columbia. MOCCA works to empower residents through equipping them with the government resources and services that they need while also providing programmatic support to each facet of the community.
- MOCCA advises the Mayor, the Council, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, and other District agencies on the views, needs, and concerns of the Caribbean Diaspora.
- MOCCA provides recommendations on District programs and initiatives affecting the Caribbean Diaspora and helps coordinate programs and initiatives within the government that promote the overall welfare of the Caribbean Diaspora.
- MOCCA serves as an advocate for the needs of the District Caribbean Diaspora as those needs relate to housing, health, education, employment, social services, public safety, and expanding business opportunities.
Meet the Director
Natalee S. Snider, a veteran of the United States Air Force, spent most of her career advocating for her community with a passion for helping constituents navigate local government and private business – especially fellow Caribbean Americans across the District of Columbia. Director Snider was President of the Caribbean Students Association at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and twice elected and served as member and Vice-Chair of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B from 2017 to 2019. She has also contributed several thousand volunteer hours to public policy, community organizing, and constituent engagement across the District.
Director Snider, born in Kingston, Jamaica, migrated to Washington, DC where she learned the value of the resources available for District residents. Director Snider began her career at an accounting firm in Southeast DC with the Summer Youth Employment Program. She was Incident Commander of the DC Department of Health Judiciary Square Testing site and has also served as a COVID-19 Contact Trace Force Investigator with the DC Department of Health.
History
Effective May 6, 2020, the Council of the District of Columbia enacted D.C. Law 23-87, mandating the establishment of an Office on Caribbean Affairs within the DC government. Director Natalee S. Snider was appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser on July 6, 2022 as the first Director of the Mayor’s Office on Caribbean Community Affairs. MOCCA is committed to promoting and engaging the District’s Caribbean Community residents, faith leaders, and business owners so they may successfully integrate into civic, economic, and cultural life in the District. As the Mayor’s liaison to the Caribbean Diaspora in Washington, DC, we connect Caribbean residents and businesses with District agencies to foster efficient and effective partnerships, improve access to services, and help break down language and cultural barriers.
Contact Us
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 1
Washington, DC 20004
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 715-3770
FOIA Information
If you cannot find the information you are looking for here or elsewhere on DC.gov you can submit a FOIA request online via the DC government Public FOIA Portal. Requests may also be submitted by mail, fax, or email. However, please note that FOIA requests submitted online will be easier to track and process.
To understand the process before making a request, please see foia.dc.gov.
Administrative Appeals
An administrative appeal is submitted to the Mayor. An administrative appeal may be submitted online via the DC government Public FOIA Portal. An appeal may also be submitted by mail or email. The appeal must include a copy of the original request as well as a copy of the public body's written denial letter issued to you, if any. In addition, the appeal must include a written statement of the arguments, circumstances, or reasons in support of the information sought by your request. The appeal letter must include "Freedom of Information Act Appeal" or "FOIA Appeal" in the subject line of the letter as well as marked on the outside of the envelope. You may direct a written appeal to:[email protected]
Or
Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel
FOIA Appeal
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Suite 407
Washington, DC 20004
A copy of the appeal must be provided to the public body whose denial you are appealing. The appeal must be addressed to the public body’s FOIA Officer.
FOIA Officer
The FOIA Officer is the principal contact point within MOCA for advice and policy guidance on matters pertaining to the administration of the FOIA. All requests are handled professionally and expeditiously. MOCA’s FOIA Officer’s information is listed below.
Henry Johnson
Executive Office of the Mayor
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20004
[email protected]
Phone: (202) 727-3384
Click here to learn more about Open Government and FOIA Information.
