BLACK IOWA NEWS

blackiowanews.comEight Days to Election Day: Governor candidate Rob Sand Sits Down with Black Des Moines leaders – Black Iowa NewsGubernatorial candidate Rob Sand, a Democrat, met with Black Des Moines leaders after a push from a Black doctor who met him at a fundraiser.

15h

Eight Days to Election Day: Governor candidate Rob Sand Sits Down with Black Des Moines leaders #insideblackiowa #iowa blackiowanews.com/eight-days-t...

youtu.beBetret Eustace, Ph. D. FellowYouTube video by Black Iowa News

Why is Iowa’s water quality awful? Betret Eustace, a Ph.D. candidate at Iowa State University in civil engineering and an African American Leadership Academy fellow, explains the dangers of high nitrate and the intersection with Iowa’s high cancer rates. #insideblackiowa #nitrate #iowawaterquality

blackiowanews.comIowa’s water quality crisis inspires Black leaders to pursue solutions – Black Iowa NewsA cohort from the African American Leadership Academy studied Iowa's Water Quality Crisis and developed a proposal to bring safer drinking water to Des Moines' Black residents.

Iowa’s water quality crisis inspires Black leaders to pursue solutions #iowa #insideblackiowa #iowawatercrisis #nitratepollution blackiowanews.com/iowas-water-...

desmoinesfoundation.orgWater Within Reach<p>The One Economy Report shows persistent health disparities affecting Black Polk County residents. Safe drinking water is fundamental to family and community health, and every family deserves the re...

EDITOR’S NOTE: Here is the link to donate to “Water Within Reach” www.desmoinesfoundation.org/givedsm/wate....

blackiowanews.comLetters to the Editor: Say 'No' to Iowa Constitutional Amendment 1 – Black Iowa NewsWant to share your opinion? Email your letter to the editor to Black Iowa News. Email letters@blackiowanews.com.

Letters to the Editor: Say 'No' to Iowa Constitutional Amendment 1 blackiowanews.com/letters-to-t...

16 Sept

Black Iowa News interns are contacting Iowans about #WaterQuality. We want to interview residents, experts, advocates, farmers candidates, elected officials, students and others about #nitrates, #pesticides, #PFAS, bacteria and other contaminants, water quality standards and monitoring and the

16 Sept

safety of drinking water in our communities. These issues are important to all Iowans. *Please return our interns’ calls and emails. If you would like to be interviewed or know of someone we should speak with, email us at dana@blackiowanews.com or comment below. #insideblackiowa #Iowa

blackiowanews.comWhat the Numbers Caught: A Night of Force Tells All about the DMPD – Black Iowa NewsANALYSIS: Iowa nonprofit Just Voices releases study of Des Moines Police' Use-of-Force Reports from the George Floyd protests.

10 Sept

ANALYSIS: Iowa nonprofit Just Voices releases study of Des Moines Police Department's Use-of-Force Reports from the George Floyd protests. What the Numbers Caught: A Night of Force Tells All about the DMPD blackiowanews.com/what-the-num... #insideblackiowa

blackiowanews.comOPINION: The Problem With Black Women – Black Iowa NewsThe headline may make you uncomfortable. It should. Sometimes the best way to expose a myth is to state it plainly, then dismantle it piece by piece.

1 Sept

OPINION: The Problem With Black Women blackiowanews.com/the-problem-... #insideblackiowa #iowa #blackwomen

blackiowanews.comUnopposed Doesn’t Mean Unimportant: Rob Johnson Urges Community to Vote – Black Iowa NewsState Rep. Rob Johnson (D-Des Moines) is running unopposed but wants all Iowa voters to turn out for the Nov. 3 general election.

31 Aug

Unopposed Doesn’t Mean Unimportant: Rob Johnson Urges Community to Vote #iowa #insideblackiowa blackiowanews.com/state-rep-ro...

blackiowanews.comPassing the Baton: Who will document the Black experience in Iowa for the next 250 years? – Black Iowa NewsThe Black Press has long documented the lived experiences of Black Iowans. Sustaining it into the future will require more.

25 Aug

Passing the Baton: Who will document the Black experience in Iowa for the next 250 years? blackiowanews.com/passing-the-...

blackiowanews.substack.com2028 Independent Presidential Candidate Diane Sare Has a Message for Black Voters: Look Beyond Democrats and RepublicansDiane Sare, an independent presidential candidate, decries the “billionaire perverts running things.” Says the U.S. needs a mission as she laid out her plan during a campaign stop in Iowa.

23 Aug

2028 Independent Presidential Candidate Diane Sare Has a Message for Black Voters: Look Beyond Democrats and Republicans #iowa #independent #blackiowanews blackiowanews.substack.com/p/2028-indep...

blackiowanews.comNo Time to Start a Business? Ken Chester Says You Need Just Two Hours – Black Iowa NewsIf you had just two hours a week, could you turn your business idea into reality? A Des Moines entrepreneur says yes.

20 Aug

No Time to Start a Business? Ken Chester Says You Need Just Two Hours blackiowanews.com/no-time-to-s...

blackiowanews.comHIRING: Advertising Sales Representative – Des Moines, Iowa, hourly pay, + commission – Black Iowa NewsBlack Iowa News is hiring an Advertising Sales Representative in Des Moines, IA. Earn hourly pay plus commission while selling print, digital, newsletter and social media advertising.

17 Aug

HIRING: Advertising Sales Representative – Des Moines, Iowa, hourly pay, + commission #Iowa blackiowanews.com/advertising-...

blackiowanews.comRetired Black firefighter creates video game, Retro Robot Rescue, reflects on inspiration – Black Iowa NewsRetired Black firefighter creates video game combining "classic arcade-inspired action with modern gameplay twists."

17 Aug

Retired Black firefighter creates video game, Retro Robot Rescue, reflects on inspiration blackiowanews.com/retired-blac...

blackiowanews.comDART prepares transportation service for annual Iowa State Fair – Black Iowa NewsThe Iowa State Fair begins this week. DART's Park & Ride will help you get there.

12 Aug

blackiowanews.com/dart-prepare... #iowa #iowastatefair

4 Aug

The inaugural Iowa African Film Festival will debut Aug. 6-7 at Drake University, creating a new platform for audiences to experience authentic African storytelling through film while fostering cultural exchange, education and international collaboration. Africalivenetwork.tv #insideblackiowa

blackiowanews.com/iowa-african...

4 Aug

blackiowanews.comIowa African Film Festival to debut at Drake University, bringing authentic African stories to Iowa – Black Iowa NewsThe inaugural Iowa African Film Festival will be held Thursday, Aug. 6 through Friday, August. 7, at Drake University in Des Moines.

blackiowanews.comWho Will Write America's Next 250 Years? – Black Iowa NewsOPINION: Wayne Ford, a former Iowa legislator, ponders the past and the nation's next 250 years.

26 July

Former State Rep. Wayne Ford, founder of Urban Dreams and executive director of the Wayne Ford Equity Impact Institute, ponders his past and this country's future. #america250 #insideblackiowa

20 July

The July edition of the Black Iowa Newspaper is out for distribution across the state. 📰 Thank you to our subscribers, donors and supporters who help us accomplish our mission each month — 100+ locations in 24 cities.

We also believe that representation + high-quality journalism are a necessity in these disturbing times. Also, a big thank you to writer Shade Burgs for his informative piece on Thurgood Marshall and to reporter Gretchen Lembcke Peña and intern Sarah Mays for a phenomenal job . . .

fundrazr.comHelp Us Provide Critical Information to Black IowansYou can make an important difference in our community and ensure Black Iowa News continues to reach residents throughout our state by becoming a paid subscriber. Your paid subscription helps us produc...

20 July

on our July cover story and more. Please check it out and grab a free copy! Help Black Iowa News do even more by making a tax-deductible donation — We also accept DAF, Crypto and stock. fundrazr.com/SupportBIN?r... ✊🏾 #insideblackiowa

Your contributions help us pay for staff, mailing, printing costs and more. It is an increasingly difficult undertaking with dwindling advertising revenue, but we believe in the transformative power of the written word.

blackiowanews.comThe Silence After the Sirens: What a Security Camera Revealed at 3rd & Court – Black Iowa NewsA nonprofit dissected a surveillance video from the 2020 George Floyd protests, revealing allegedly undocumented use-of-force incidents by the DMPD.

15 July

Just Voices, a Des Moines nonprofit working to end racially-biased policing, evaluated surveillance video from the 2020 George Floyd protests, revealing allegedly undocumented use-of-force incidents by the Des Moines Police. #iowa blackiowanews.com/the-silence-...

4 July

Opinion: Fourth of July fireworks, flags, and renditions of the National Anthem have never distracted me from this nation’s hypocrisy. blackiowanews.com/why-party-li...

1 July

Iowans who have two felony convictions and receive a third will now face a mandatory 20-year prison sentence, with no parole eligibility until they have served a minimum of 7 years, under HF2542, which took effect on July 1, along with a host of other new laws. www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/...

open.substack.com'The Black Superwoman & Mental Health: Power & Pain' anthology tackles sensitive subjectListen now | A collection of 35 essays, poetry and short stories written by Black women, co-edited by two Black University of Iowa professors, explores the subject of Black women and mental health.

23 June

'The Black Superwoman & Mental Health: Power & Pain' anthology tackles a sensitive subject open.substack.com/pub/blackiow...

blackiowanews.com‘Community’ at the heart of celebrating Juneteenth in Iowa – Black Iowa NewsLarge Juneteenth celebrations will happen in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Waterloo, Davenport and Ottumwa on Saturday, June 20.

20 June

‘Community’ at the heart of celebrating Juneteenth in Iowa blackiowanews.com/community-at...

blackiowanews.comYour guide to Juneteenth in Iowa: 25+ celebrations to explore across the state – Black Iowa NewsDiscover Iowa's Juneteenth celebrations, including performances, history, music, food and more. Share this guide with your family and friends.

12 June

Here's a handy guide featuring Juneteenth events across Iowa. Share with your family and friends. #insideblackiowa #iowa blackiowanews.com/iowa-junetee... #iowajunteenth2026

6 June

⚽️Free tickets! 🎟️ The Des Moines Menace will host its second annual United Against Racism Night at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at the Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines. The event, which benefits the BLK & Bold Foundation, helps further connect the community through soccer. www.gofevo.com/event/BlackI...

6 June

🎟️ Get your *Free* Tickets for Black Iowa News Night with the Menace, courtesy of BLK & Bold and Cerris Systems. Mediacom Stadium is at 1427 25th St. on the Drake University campus. Click the link to get your free tickets for the match: Menace vs. Springfield FC‼️ www.gofevo.com/event/BlackI...

2 June

Luisita McBurney for Polk County Recorder: "Polk County, are you ready for leadership that shows up?" Voting is open today until 8 p.m. (This is a paid ad by the Luisita McBurney for Polk County Recorder campaign). #insideblackiowa

blackiowanews.comExperts say mentorship is contributing to the growth of Black-owned businesses in the U.S. – Black Iowa NewsWhat is driving the rise in the number of Black-owned businesses in the U.S.? Experts weigh in.

2 June

What is driving the rise in the number of Black-owned businesses in the U.S.? Experts weigh in. #insideblackiowa

1 June

Luisita McBurney for Polk County Recorder: “I came to this country to build a better life and I’ve spent my years here helping others do the same. Whether it’s serving Iowans through my work or bringing our community together, I believe in showing up, solving problems, and getting things done.

1 June

That’s the kind of leadership I’ll bring as your next Polk County Recorder.” 🔹This is a paid ad by the Luisita McBurney for Polk County Recorder campaign. 🗳️ Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 2.

28 May

🔹Luisita McBurney for Polk County Recorder: "I'm asking for your vote for Polk County Recorder because I believe leadership is about showing up, listening, and serving people. As a first-generation immigrant and longtime public servant, I've spent my career bringing people together and working for

28 May

our community, and I'd be honored to earn your support." 🔹This ad was paid for by Luisita McBurney for Polk County Recorder #Iowa

Luisita McBurney for Polk County Recorder: "I'm asking for your vote for Polk County Recorder because I believe leadership is about showing up, listening, and serving people. #iowa

As a first-generation immigrant and longtime public servant, I've spent my career bringing people together and working for our community, and I'd be honored to earn your support." This ad was paid for by Luisita McBurney for Polk County Recorder. #polkcountyiowa

Searching for an African American business in the Quad Cities, Iowa? A new resource will make your search much easier. 🔗Link in the comments. #insideblackiowa @quadcitiesiowa

blackiowanews.com/quad-cities-...

blackiowanews.comQuad Cities African American Resource Directory launches – Black Iowa NewsLooking for a business in the Quad Cities area? A new resource makes your search easier.

10 May

Have a beautiful Mother’s Day💐

3 May

Iowa legislature passed a “3 strikes” law Saturday. Iowans who are convicted of a third felony would face a 7-year mandatory minimum sentence before parole consideration. #iowa

24 Apr

👀Apparently, if you need help leaving #MAGA, there’s a website for that. Or you’re no longer down with the Make America Great Again movement, there’s help for that. Saw the billboard on SE. 14th Street. #Desmoines. #Iowa

open.substack.comInaugural Courageous Access Black Women’s Conference, promoting healing, awareness, empowerment, to be held in October in ChicagoWatch now | 🎧The nonprofit Courageous Access, founded in Iowa, will host a national conference for Black women, held in Chicago. Register today.

2 Apr

Inaugural Courageous Access Black Women’s Conference, promoting healing, awareness, empowerment, to be held in October in Chicago. Listen to the Inside Black Iowa podcast. #CABWC2026 #Iowa #blackwomen

blackiowanews.comBlack Women Can't Catch a Break – Black Iowa NewsOpinion: Watching high-profile Black politicians get dragged online can trigger trauma in Black women, says writer Debra Carr.

1 Apr

“For generations, Black women have often been told that what they experienced was not racism, not sexism, not discrimination — just misunderstanding, personality conflict or simply the price of ambition.” What was it really?” By Debra Carr. #insideblackiowa #iowa blackiowanews.com/black-women-...