Community Perspectives on Anti-Racism in Des Moines
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In light of recent the protests, this panel will challenge young professionals “to think about how this affects [their] neighbors” by informing them of the rationale behind the recent protests and the solutions proposed. This panel will challenge young professionals to have uncomfortable conversations by engaging them in reflection about inclusion in Des Moines and how we as individuals reconcile systemic racism.
Please join us on Tuesday, June 30 from 11:30 am to 1 pm. This event will be held virtually over Zoom. To receive the Zoom link, please register by clicking the button above.
Moderator: Kayla James (KCCI)
Panelists include:
- Jassma’ray Johnson (Movement 515, IA State Studentt
- Joe Gonzalez (Latino Heritage Festival/Retired DMPD)
- Negus Imhotep (Urban Dreams)
- Des Moines City Councilman Josh Mandelbaum
In addition, a strategy and solution focused conversation between community leaders of differing perspectives (representatives of the black community in Des Moines, members of City Council and Des Moines Police Department) will be a significant step forward in making Des Moines a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive city and show young professionals how to have conversations and act across difference.
This is an especially important step to empowering black Iowans both economically and socially, and making Des Moines a more attractive place for young black professionals to immigrate to and settle in. Additionally, addressing systemic racism is an important topic for many young folks, including high school and college age students; increasingly, once these young people graduate, they are exiting Des Moines or Iowa altogether to settle in more diverse cities and metros.
Acknowledging the hurt of the black community in Iowa and taking action to remediate it is a crucial step in continuing the development of Des Moines into one of the most prosperous, vibrant, and inclusive cities in the US. Inequities between the education, economic status, health, and safety of black and white populations of Iowa has been well-documented to-date (See IA One Economy Report, State of Black Polk County). Having an open, public dialogue between representatives of the black community, city officials, and police force of the Iowa county with the largest black population in the state is an essential step to moving our community forward.
As a supplement to the panel, please view the following materials for additional context:
- One Economy Report on the State of Black Polk County
- Undesign the Red Line Video Tour by Polk County Housing Trust for the Greater Des Moines Partnership
- "The Legacy of Redlining and Segregation on Des Moines, Iowa" by Kendyl Landeck
