Tuesday the Iowa Interfaith Alliance released its full statement, signed by more than 500 Iowans, asking lawmakers and all Iowans to reject "extremism and hate mongering."
“Including: Black leaders Zoom-bombed and virtually attacked with vile and racist images and language; a historical Black church targeted with a bomb threat; public school boards and educators harassed and threatened when addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion; offensive accusations against educators and demands to ban books," says Rev. Meg Wagner, of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa.
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Dozens of Iowa City community members turned out for a second school board meeting in a row Tuesday to send a message: The district must take action against racism.
Speakers stressed that events earlier this month, when two West High students used blackface and a racist slur on social media, are emblematic of a much larger and long-unaddressed issue in the district. Many of the calls for action and accountability came from community leaders, including members of the city's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Johnson County Interfaith Coalition and the Black Voices Project.
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Those involved in putting the event together ranged from community members to students, to University of Iowa staff. Partner organizations include the Black Voices Project, the James Academy of Performing Arts, the Iowa City Public Library, United Action for Youth, Beloved Community Initiative, the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center, the City of Iowa City and the University of Iowa.
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On the morning of Monday, Jan. 20 in Des Moines, Iowa City activist Lisa Covington was one of five Iowans to receive the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award, recognizing individuals for their work toward making the ideals of Dr. King and thousands of other civil rights activists a reality.
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The Kingdom Center Church in Iowa City filled up with 100 people looking to learn about the caucuses. On the walls, signs read "Arabic," "French," "Lingala," "Swahili" and "Spanish" identifying interpreters who could help register voters and answer questions about the caucus.
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Beloved Community was a proud sponsor with other community partners at the Cedar Rapids Lights for Liberty event.
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Beloved Community Initiative is a proud member of Johnson County Interfaith Coalition, who worked with the Community Empowerment Law Project at the University of Iowa, the city attorney, and the city council to write the Hate Crime Ordinance.
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Beloved Community Initiative is a proud member of Johnson County Interfaith Coalition.
The Johnson County Interfaith Coalition proposed the ordinance, which is scheduled for first consideration at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Iowa City Council. The rule would go into effect if approved three times.
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Saturday April 13, 2019 began with the promise of a beautiful spring day full of sun and hope. Nine pilgrims gathered at Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City for an introduction to the Underground Railroad in Iowa Pilgrimage. Sean Donaldson from the African American Museum in Cedar Rapids helped us understand some of the myths around the Underground Railroad as well as the historical events that led to the need for and use of the Underground Railroad.
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In late February 2019 the University of Iowa asked the Hawkeye community to tweet out reasons why they love the University of Iowa using the hashtag #iloveUIowa. Many people did. But some students shot back with a question of their own: Does the UI love them?
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We were deeply disappointed to learn of the University's decision to cancel the spring workshops planned to address white privilege. We believe that the focus of those workshops are an essential piece of the work that needs to be done by white people in order to dismantle racism in our society.
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Get ready for liftoff, Iowa City, a NASA astronaut is coming to town.
Jeanette J. Epps, who became an astronaut in 2009, will visit Iowa City Feb. 22. Her visit will feature visiting Iowa City Community School District students and hosting a free movie screening and discussion of the NASA-centered movie "Hidden Figures."
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Damita Brown is part of an Iowa City-based organization that is launching a new Freedom School 360 program for teenagers and adults at Old Brick in Iowa City. The school will continue the education around issues of civil rights, discrimination and how to combat racism.
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In February 2018, the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa launched the Beloved Community Initiative for racial justice, healing and reconciliation.
The vision for the Initiative was initially supported by a $5,000 discernment grant from The Episcopal Church and the commitment of space at Old Brick in Iowa City from the Diocese of Iowa, as part of the focus of the Board of Directors on racial justice.
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A new center in Iowa City aims to improve racial justice in the Iowa City and the UI communities.
The Racial Justice Center, which is being created by the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, is slated to open in February and be housed in Old Brick.
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