In this episode of Podcast Cousins, Emili Johnson of Black Girl lowa sits down with her Podcast Cousins-Lya Williams cohost of Inside Black, Daron "360" Richardson of Brothas Gon' Work It Out, and Corey Dion Lewis of The Healthy Project Podcast-to unpack the recent arrest of Dr. lan Roberts, former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, by ICE.
Dr. Roberts is more than an educator-he is a leader, an advocate, and a symbol of excellence within the community. His arrest has shaken the Black community in Iowa and beyond, raising urgent questions about safety, justice, and systemic inequities.
Together, Emili and her guests explore how Roberts' case impacts students, families, and the broader lowa community. The discussion emphasizes preparedness, accountability, and the resilience required to confront ongoing injustices.
What You'll Hear in This Episode:
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Pandora, and YouTube.
In a world of unknowns, preparation is power. Stay adaptable, stay informed, and build resilience—because uncertainty isn’t a threat, it’s an opportunity to grow stronger.
This Inside Black Iowa podcast episode features guest host Lya Williams and financial expert Stoy Hall, founder of Black Mammoth! Stoy will be breaking down basic financial tips to help you get your money right.
In this episode of the Inside Black Iowa podcast, join guest-host Lya Williams with poet, activist, and founder of the Union of Black America, Antwonette Shade.
This special event is an invitation to commemorate Juneteenth – a day of profound historical significance – and experience the dynamic intersection of artistic expression and social justice.
What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19th, commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, delivering the news of freedom to the last enslaved African Americans, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. It's a day that marks both the long struggle for liberation and the enduring spirit of hope, resilience, and triumph within the Black community. It's a moment to reflect on our nation's history, acknowledge the journey to freedom, and celebrate the progress and ongoing pursuit of equality.
Poetry and Activism: A Powerful Union Throughout history, poetry has served as a vital tool for activism, giving voice to the voiceless, challenging injustice, and inspiring movements for change. This Juneteenth Poetry Slam will showcase how the art of poetry can be a potent force in advocacy, providing a platform for critical dialogue, celebration, and continued progress.
Come and listen to compelling performances that honor the legacy of Juneteenth and speak to the ongoing journey towards liberation and justice.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to celebrate freedom, reflect on history, and be inspired by the power of words!
The Western Family Farm was established in 1864. Todd Western III and his mother, Barbara Western, reflect on the family business and the challenges and joy of being Black farmers.
RJ Miller, the executive director of Greater Opportunities, discusses the organization's work in fighting poverty and supporting low-income residents and youth in Des Moines. He emphasizes the importance of providing resources and opportunities for students and families to break the cycle of poverty. Miller shares the rewarding experiences of seeing the impact of their work, particularly in empowering students to find their voice and advocate for themselves and their peers. He also highlights the need for Black student unions in schools to celebrate and respect Black culture. Miller discusses the challenges of working within the school district and the importance of addressing the specific needs of Black students. He calls for culturally responsive education and high expectations for all students. Miller also advocates for education reform and school choice, emphasizing the need for discipline, high expectations, and a focus on entrepreneurship. He discusses the lack of community support and the importance of active involvement and financial contributions to support organizations like Greater Opportunities. Miller shares upcoming plans for the organization, including the development of programs focused on Black pride and purpose, mentorship, and exposure to positive Black history and culture. He also mentions an upcoming youth and family cookout event to celebrate students and families in theDes Moines community.
Semehar Ghebredikan thought she'd found a dream job as a community inclusion liaison, engaging in diversity, equity and inclusion #DEI work for the city of Sioux City, Iowa. But three years later, on Feb. 21, 2024, city officials placed a pregnant Ghebredikan on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. It happened after she filed a federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission discrimination complaint, a U.S. Government Accountability Office complaint alleging fraud in the city's Section 8 program, and a formal complaint to the city council. Ghebredikan said some of her colleagues have discriminated against and retaliated against her because she's Black, pregnant and young. Ghebredikan, who said she isn't allowed to leave her home during the day while she awaits a resolution, has posted on social media about her experience. Hear Ghebredikan discuss her experience working for Sioux City on the Inside Black Iowa podcast. Find out what she thinks will happen next. #insideblackiowa #blackiowanews. #siouxcity #iowa #podcast #discrimination
#retaliation #whistleblowing #section8 #siouxcitycouncil #siouxcityiowa
Project Bridging in Des Moines is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between potential and opportunity for females from underserved communities, offering learning experiences and resources that inspire them to forge lasting relationships, affirm their identities and engage actively in crafting a better tomorrow. Its executive director, Patricia Barbee, is the latest Inside Black Iowa podcast guest. Her mentees said she brings out "a whole other side" of them.
Inside Black Iowa discussed domestic violence with the founder of Courageous Fire LLC and Courageous Access, which aim to create safe spaces for Black women dealing with domestic violence and other crises. Courageous Fire explains that Courageous Access provides direct services to help Black women and their children rebuild after leaving an abusive relationship, while Courageous Fire LLC focuses on education and training to improve understanding and support for Black women survivors. She also discusses her Disruptor Training, which aims to teach health care organizations, law enforcement, the justice system, and child protective services how to identify and disrupt the cycle of domestic violence. Courageous Fire emphasizes the importance of recognizing domestic violence as a health care issue and taking action to support Black women.
Keywords: Courageous Fire, organizations, Courageous Fire LLC, Courageous Access, safe spaces, Black women, domestic violence, crises, direct services, education, training, disruptor training, healthcare, law enforcement, justice system, child protective services
Takeaways
TitlesSound BitesChapters00:00Introduction and Overview02:34Courageous Fire's Organizations: Creating Safe Spaces08:15Training Institutions to Support Black Women13:08Disrupting the Cycle of Domestic Violence24:45Conclusion and Call to Action26:04PODCAST INTRO OUTRO.mp4
In this episode of Inside Black Iowa, host Dana James interviews Craig Farley Jr., the founder of Cignature Productions. They discuss Craig's journey in the field of photography and videography, his various titles and accomplishments, and how his previous jobs have influenced his own business. Craig shares his passion for capturing special moments and helping businesses market themselves. He also talks about his plans to expand into cinematography and his experiences with collaboration and support in the Des Moines community. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of pursuing one's passion and supporting each other in the Black community.
What really happened during the summer of 2020 protests that swept through Des Moines? Inside Black Iowa asked Just Voices Iowa. The nonprofit group has studied the protests and released The People's History magazine about the Des Moines aftermath of George Floyd's murder.
LaNisha Cassell, the executive director of the African American Museum of Iowa, discusses the museum's recent renovation and upcoming exhibits. The museum, located in Cedar Rapids, aims to preserve and share Black history in Iowa. They have traveling exhibits that reach over 30,000 people annually and a website with resources and information. The museum also hosts events and programs, including a book club focused on banned books. LaNisha encourages people to visit their website, subscribe to their YouTube channel, and support their fundraising efforts.