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Featured Story: Articles by Celeste Lawson Inside A ‘Trailblazer’, Dr. Mary Charlton talks about Cancer in Iowa 2021 Learning about a petition to rename the East High School theater in Des Moines after a ‘legend’, State Representative Ruth Ann Gaines 1

WRITERS & STAFF Editor-In-Chief Dwana Bradley Copy Editor Virgina Smith Contributors Creative Director Nikki Goldman - LosRos Graphix Donnetta Austin Debra Carr Terence Haynes Angela Jackson Celeste Lawson Gary Lawson Bert Moody Lori Young Caleb Thomas Courageous Fire MAGAZINE OUTLETS Broadlawns 1801 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA 50314 CareMore 1530 East Euclid, Des Moines, Iowa 50313 Central Library 1000 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309 DMACC Urban Campus 1100 7th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314 DSM Brew Coffee Co. 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Suite 140, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 Drake Diner 1111 25th Street, Des Moines, IA 50311 Eastside Library 2559 Hubbell Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50317 Evelyn Davis Center 801 Suite #3, University Ave, Des Moines IA 50314 Fields Pharmacy 501 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50314 Iowa-Nebraska NAACP 1620 Pleseant Suite #210, Des Moines, IA 50314 Forest Library 1326 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314 Franklin Library 5000 Franklin Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50310 Hy-Vee 3330 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50310 John R. Grubb YMCA 11th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314 Johnston Library 6700 Merle Hay Rd. Johnston, Iowa 50131 Northside Library 3516 5th Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50313 Mr. Bibbs 2705 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313 Senior Polk County 2008 Forest Ave, Des Moines IA 50314 Smokey Row Coffee Co. 1910 Cottage Grove, Des Moines, Iowa 50314 Southside Library 1111 Porter Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50315 The Great Frame Up 5515 Mills Civic Parkway Suite #150, West Des Moines, IA 50266 The Des Moines Civil and Human Rights 602 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines IA 50309 COVID-19 The Urban Dreams 601 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50314 Traditions Grooming Parlor 1111 E. Army Post Road Ste. 154 Urbandale Public Library 3520 86th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322 Urbandale Chamber of Commerce 2830 100th Street, Suite 110, Urbandale, IA 50322 West Des Moines Library 4000 Mills Clive Pkwy, West Des Moines, Iowa 50365 The Zone of Comfort 3829 71st Street, Suite B, Urbandale, IA 50322 Also Available at churches, our directory can be found on our website at dsmurban.org

SUMMARY 6 14 16 24 3 12 14 16 18 24 21 28 30 32 34 Featured Artist Intern Arturo Rodriguez Metastatic Breast Cancer Purpose in the Pain Courageous Truths: DVAM & Abuse Reparations Mrs. Iowa Desiree Fletcher The Power of Beginners Mindset Questions to Ask When Given a New Prescription Overcoming Stigma Around Alzheimer’s and Dementia Mental Health: National Bullying Prevention Month Grandparents May Hold the Key to Overcoming Covid Vaccine Hesitancy in Black Community 36 The Road to Honoring a Legend in Education Join our email club at: joindsmurban@gmail.com Submit your news to: dsmurbannews@gmail.com Become a Outlet for Urban: contactdsmurban@gmail.com

GET THE URBAN EXPERIENCE The Urban Experience Magazine was founded by my father Roderick Bradley. In the 80’s and early 90’s my father ran The Iowa Bystander/ The Communicator Newspaper which was the oldest African American publication in Iowa. After selling the newspaper he went onto be a Pastor and has been pastoring for over twenty years. In December 2014 my father wanted to start a magazine. Having no journalistic experience, I didn’t know if this is something I should touch knowing how my father felt about his newspaper years ago, I accepted the challenge. Our first publication was printed in February 2014 and distributed in churches. As time went on my father decreased with his assistance with the magazine and now, I run the magazine and our media company Iowa Urban Media which prints and publishes the magazine, and we have The Urban Impact Show which airs via social media on Sundays. We have grown from having our publication in churches to various locations across the city and social media. At first the why for doing the magazine was my father, but now I love to tell the stories of others. “Mainstream media portrays African Americans negatively. We make the news when there has been a murder or robbery. I knew there were stories to tell, stories that told of our struggles, stories that tell of our greatness, and stories that inspire.” The Urban Experience Magazine currently reaches people in the state of Iowa and across the United States digitally and in print. When you view the magazine, you will read articles related to health, arts and culture, education, spirituality, public affairs, and community. Our articles are positive and empower and educate our readers. To learn more, check out our website at www.theurbanexp.com to see the latest issue of the publication. Blessings, Dwana Bradley Dwana Bradley Iowa Urban Media The Urban Experience Magazine

EDITORIAL T his month is full of important issues to be addressed. I want to make sure you all are taking care of yourself and know where to go to find important information. Celeste Lawson will be sharing about Metastatic Breast Cancer. Ladies, please make sure you are having an annual mammogram. If you need a place to go to get an exam reach out to Broadlawns Hospital. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. More than 40% of Black women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime according to the Institute of Women’s Policy Research’s Status of Black Women in the United States. The National Center for Victims of Crime state that 53.8% of Black women have experienced psychological abuse, while 41.2% of Black women experienced physical abuse. These numbers are alarming and show that we need to talk about and learn more about domestic violence. Check out this month’s article by Courageous Fire. This year has been challenging on our students and many schools have reported an increase in behaviors. A student in Texas who experienced daily bullying and took matters into his own hand. Caleb Thomas writes about National Bullying Prevention Month. It’s not alright to be a bully or be bullied. If you feel this is happening to you, please tell someone. You matter, you are important, and we need you! Please take care of yourselves. Thank you for your continued support of The Urban Experience Magazine. Blessings Dwana Bradley Dwana Bradley Editor in Chief 5

THE GREAT FRAME UP SUPPORTS AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTISTS OCTOBER FEATURE: CARRIE MAE WEEMS BY ANGELA M. JACKSON DES MOINES, IOWA – As a local custom frame retailer and art gallery, The Great Frame Up in West Des Moines is dedicated to supporting local artists in the community. This month we introduce our readers to Carrie Mae Weems she is considered one of the most influential contemporary American artists of our times.

“Let me say that my primary concern in art, as in politics, is with the status and place of Afro-Americans in our country.” - Carrie Mae Weems “Let me say that my primary concern in art, as in politics, is with the status and place of Afro-Americans in our country.” More recently however, she expressed that “Black experience is not really the main point; rather, complex, dimensional, human experience and social inclusion ... is the real point.” - Carrie Mae Weems Carrie Mae Weems was born April 20, 1953. She is an American artist who works with text, fabric, audio, digital images, installation, and video but is best known for her work in the field of photography. Her award-winning photographs, films, and videos have been displayed in over 50 exhibitions in the United States and abroad and focus on serious issues that face African Americans today, such as racism, gender relations, politics, and personal identity. Early life and education Weems was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1953, the second of seven children. At the age of 16 she gave birth to her first and only child, a daughter named Faith C. Weems. Later that year she moved out of her parent’s home and relocated to San Francisco to study modern dance with Anna Halprin at a workshop . She decided to continue her arts schooling and attended the California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, graduating at the age of 28 with her B.A. She received her MFA from the University of California, San Diego. Weems also participated in the folklore graduate program at the University of California, Berkeley. While in her early twenties, Carrie Mae Weems was politically active in the labor movement as a union organizer. She was inspired to pursue photography only after she came across The 7

Black Photography Annual, a book of images by African-American photographers including Shawn Walker, Beuford Smith, Anthony Barboza, Ming Smith, Adger Cowans, and Roy DeCarava. This led her to New York City, and the Studio Museum in Harlem, where she began to meet other artists and photographers such as Frank Stewart and Coreen Simpson, and they began to form a community. In 1976 Weems took a photography class at the Museum taught by Dawoud Bey. She returned to San Francisco, but lived bi-coastally and was involved with the Studio Museum and a community of photographers in New York. Weems lives in Brooklyn and Syracuse, New York, with her husband Jeffrey Hoone. Career Highlights In 1983, Carrie Mae Weems completed her first collection of photographs, text, and spoken word, called Family Pictures and Stories. The images told the story of her family, and she has said that in this project she was trying to explore the movement of black families out of the South and into the North, using her family as a model for the larger theme. Her next series, called Ain’t Jokin’, was completed in 1988. It focused on racial jokes and internalized racism. Weems has said that throughout the 1980s she was turning away from the documentary photography genre, instead “creating representations that appeared to be documents but were in fact staged” and also “incorporating text, using multiples images, diptychs and triptychs, and constructing narratives.” Gender issues were the next focal point for Carrie. The Kitchen Table series was completed in 1990. About Kitchen Table and Family Pictures and Stories, Weems has said, “I use my own constructed image as a vehicle for questioning ideas about the role of tradition, the nature of family, monogamy, polygamy, relationships between men and women, between women and their children, and between women and other women—underscoring the critical problems and the possible resolves.” She has expressed disbelief and concern about the exclusion of images of the black community, particularly black women, from the popular media, and aims to represent these excluded subjects and speak to their experience through her work. Weems has also reflected on the themes and inspirations of her work as a whole, saying, “...from the very beginning, I’ve been interested in the idea of power and the consequences of power; relationships are made and articulated through power. Another thing that’s interesting about the early work is that even though I’ve been engaged in the idea of autobiography, other ideas have been more important: the role of narrative, the social levels of humor, the deconstruction of documentary, the construction of history, the use of text, storytelling, performance, and the role of memory have all been more central to my thinking than autobiography.” Other series created by Weems include: the Sea Island AACT NEWPLAYFEST Escaping the labyrinth WORLD PREMIERE A romantic comedy worthy of the gods – the Greek gods. Oct. 15-24, 2021

Art | Memories | Conservation Materials | Commercial & In-Home Consultation 25% Off Custom Framing! *Offer valid until 11/15/2021 West Glen Town Center | 5515 Mills Civic Parkway #150 West Des Moines, IA 50266 | 515-226-2310 | westdesmoines.thegreatframeup.com For millions of prints - shop our online store: shopthegreatframeupart.com You may qualify for a $10,000 forgivable loan! Home Purchase with Renovation Recuerdos DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS DES MOINES ART CENTER HONORING IOWANS WE HAVE LOST TO COVID-19 VIRTUAL CELEBRATION throughout October desmoinesartcenter.org/day-of-the-dead VISIT THE OFRENDA created by artist Dawn Martinez Oropeza October 19 – November 4 Dreams Do Come True Purchase Loans A home mortgage loan for individuals seeking to purchase a home in one of our lending areas. When qualifying for a purchase loan, borrowers may also receive a subsidized loan of up to $2,500 in closing costs and up to $10,000 for home renovations. These subsidized loans are forgiven after five years of owning the home. Front Porch Loan Loans restricted to exterior repairs only paired with a forgivable loan. The percent of a home improvement loan that can be forgiven is 25%, 33% or 50%, up to $10,000, depending on the household income. This program will consider borrowers with lower credit scores than NFC is able to approve through the NFC Advantage loan programs. Refinance with Renovation Home Improvement If you’re looking to purchase or renovate in an NFC lending area, then NFC has a product for you. Home Improvement Loans Make home repairs to a home within our lending areas. The percent of a home improvement loan that can be forgiven is 25%, 33% or 50%, up to $10,000, depending on the household income. Refinance Loans NFC may also help you save money by refinancing an existing mortgage on a home you already own in an NFC lending area and receive up to $10,000 in a subsidized renovation loan. Dedicated to keeping neighborhoods strong in Polk County! Contact NFC Today! SPONSORED BY | | NEIGHBORHOOD FINANCE CORPORATION 1912 6TH AVENUE, DES MOINES, IOWA 50314 NeighborhoodFinance.org | 515.246.0010 NMLS# 8943 9

Series (1991-92), the Africa Series (1993), From Here I Saw What Happened and I Cried (199596), Who What When Where (1998), Ritual & Revolution (1998), the Louisiana Project (2003), Roaming (2006), and the Museum Series, which she began in 2007. Her most recent project, Grace Notes: Reflections for Now, is a multimedia performance that explores “the role of grace in the pursuit of democracy.” Awards Carrie Mae Weems has won numerous awards. In 2005, she was awarded the Distinguished Photographer’s Award in recognition of her significant contributions to the world of photography. Her talents have also been recognized by numerous colleges, including Harvard University and Wellesley College, with fellowships, artist-inresidence and visiting professor positions. She taught photography at Hampshire College in the late 1980s. . . In 2013, Weems received the MacArthur “Genius” grant as well as the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014, she received the BET Honors Visual Artist award, the Lucie Award for Fine Art photography and was one of 4 artists honored at the Guggenheim’s International Gala. In 2015 Weems was named a Ford Foundation Art of Change Fellow. In September 2015, the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research presented her with the W. E. B. Du Bois Medal. Exhibits The first comprehensive retrospective of her work opened in September 2012 at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville, Tennessee, as a part of the center’s exhibition Carrie Mae Weems: Three Decades of Photography and Video. Curated by Katie Delmez. The exhibition ran until January 13, 2013 and later traveled to Portland Art Museum, Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Cantor Center for Visual Arts. The 30-year retrospective exhibition opened in January 2014 at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City. Weems’ work returned to the Frist in October 2013 as a part of the center’s 30 Americans gallery, alongside black artists ranging from Jean-Michel Basquiat to Kehinde Wiley. Weems has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions at major national and international museums including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Frist Center for Visual Art, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, Prospect.3 New Orleans, and the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo in Seville, Spain. She is represented in public and private collections around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY; The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; the Museum of Modern Art, NY and Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. Weems has been represented by Jack Shainman Gallery since 2008. Credits wikipedia.org and jackshainman.com/artists/ carriemae-weems. The Great Frame Up currently features originals, prints, sculptures and framed artwork of numerous African American and Iowa artists in the gallery. To view some of the prior artists featured visit www. westdesmoines.thegreatframeup.com and like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tgfuwdmiowa. Please follow us on Pinterest www.pinterest.com/ tgfuwdm and Twitter @tgfuwdm.

“...from the very beginning, I’ve been interested in the idea of power and the consequences of power; relationships are made and articulated through power...” - Carrie Mae Weems About The Great Frame Up Founded in 1972, The Great Frame Up, Inc. is a custom picture framer, offering more than 1,000 custom frames, mat styles, ready to hang framed art and local artwork. The West Des Moines location of The Great Frame Up opened in 2005 and is located at 5515 Mills Civic Parkway in the West Glen and is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10- 6pm; Thursday 10- 8pm & Saturday 10- 5pm. 11

The Urban Experience Magazine Welcomes... Arturo Rodriguez Hello readers, Allow me to introduce myself! My name is Arturo Rodriguez and I am elated to announce myself as an intern for The Urban Experience Magazine for the next few months. I was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs but have spent most of my life in the small town of Warrenville, Illinois. In my family, I am the youngest of 4, and the only boy to be born. Most of my family come from Mexico; my mom is from Monterrey, and my Dad is from Puebla. In 2018, I graduated from Wheaton Warrenville South High School in Wheaton, Ill. Later that year, I moved to Des Moines, Iowa to continue my education at Drake University. Currently, I am in my Senior year, majoring in both English and digital media productions. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy reading and writing, playing video games, watching and analyzing movies, and hanging out with my friends. I am huge comic book nerd, who also likes to watch the on-screen adaptations of comic book stories. Another one of my favorite pastimes is watching basketball, mostly Chicago Bulls basketball. Now that I have given you all a bit about myself, I want to reiterate how excited I am to be working with The Urban Experience Magazine. The organizations mission to educate, empower and promote leadership with its readers stuck with me. Oftentimes, when I write, I always try to give readers a new perspective. I don’t just focus on telling a story, but I try to make it a conversation. I want you to read every word I write and hear my voice. Overall, if you take away anything useful from my writing, then I know that I have done my job right. These next few months at The Urban Experience are going to be a lot of fun. I am excited to be featured in this magazine and write alongside some amazing people. Keep an eye out for my name on future articles that will be feature in this magazine. It is honor and privilege to be writing for all of you. Thank You! Arturo Rodriguez

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Public affairs Metastatic Breast Cancer: Iowa Updates By: Celeste Lawson O ctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this article features information about breast cancer from an interview, conducted on September 13, 2021, with Dr. Mary Charlton, who is an epidemiologist and health services researcher at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, and is also the Director of the Iowa Cancer Registry. She has conducted numerous studies of risk factors, practice pattern variation, outcomes and health disparities related to cancer. Dr. Charlton is also a coauthor of Cancer in Iowa 2021. The following are excerpts from the interview. Celeste: It seems like Black women, and White women living in rural areas, have the highest death rates from metastatic breast cancer in Iowa. What contributes to that outcome? Dr. Charlton: I think…for Black women…I think we are talking about a really complex interaction of socioeconomic factors and biology. There is definitely a larger proportion of Black women who have triple-negative breast cancer, compared to White women, which is more aggressive and has the worst prognosis, including more recurrence and metastases to other parts of the body, and higher mortality, or death. So that, coupled with barriers to accessing high-quality healthcare…more lack of health insurance for Black women compared to White women…and what some would argue are health behaviors like not including screening, or not completing breast cancer

treatment, but I think also related to those…I think… institutional and structural racism also play into these outcomes because they create barriers for women…for Black women…getting to highquality healthcare and being able to follow through with their treatment, or accessing screening. So, I think they all kind of work together, unfortunately, against Black women. Whereas, I think the part of your question about White women in rural areas is probably more likely due to access…maybe putting off screening…or not going to as high-quality places to detect, or treat/service, cancer could be part of it, but I think there are different issues facing those two groups. Celeste: Specifically, what can be done to decrease the death rates for those populations and others? Dr. Charlton: That is a really good question. I think in order to figure out how to decrease the death rates, we need to figure out why Black women have a higher proportion of triple-negative breast cancer… and is there something modifiable that can be done. There are numerous factors… obesity is something that has been linked to breast cancer and breast cancer outcomes, but certainly doesn’t explain all the differences between Black and White women. So, it is one area of focus helping to understand the barriers and really addressing the components of the institutional and structural racism. Maybe doctors, without even realizing, are making different recommendations, or making assumptions…but they are not checking with the patient. Here in Iowa, overall our mortality rate among Blacks is among the highest in the United States. It makes me wonder…if there isn’t a very good infrastructure here… or support here. I only know of one breast cancer support group in the state that is specifically for Black women, the Splash of Color support group in Waterloo. Maybe in places like the South, or in Detroit, or places where there is a much larger Black population…maybe there are more support groups…more navigation services…more just kind of all-around support systems to make sure that people are educated on where they need to go…what they need to have…and support that we lack here in Iowa. So, that is definitely a target…I think…for further research and activities as to what types of support structures can we build for our Black population here to make sure that they are getting the highest quality of care possible. Celeste: In conclusion, what would you like the readers to know about the importance of metastatic breast cancer awareness? Dr. Mary Charlton Dr. Charlton: Breast cancer is 15 one of those…that if you catch it early, the prognosis is so much better. One of the best ways to catch it early is to have regular mammograms… and also just to be aware of any changes in your breasts. So, I think those types of things can be really helpful in detecting breast cancer before it metastasizes to other parts of the body…but really, for Black women, knowing that they are at higher risk for triple-negative breast cancer…which can, and often does, strike people at a much younger age than other types of breast cancers. So, to always be aware…and to start getting mammograms early and often…look for any changes… and report them immediately to your healthcare provider so that if it is breast cancer…it can be detected early. Celeste: Thank you, Dr. Charlton. NOTE: In order to view a copy of Cancer in Iowa 2021 go to (https://shri.public-health.uiowa.edu/ wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021cancer-registry-annual-reportFINAL.pdf).

SPIRITUALITY Purpose in the Pain ““Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”” Deuteronomy 31:6 MSG

that Endurance will have set in. re you at a place or season in your life where it feels uncertain? Maybe the walls have caved in, and you are bothered, worried, frustrated, or angry. You are the one who is supposed to be able to control the temperature set in the room but, from one minute to the next it is cold and then hot. It is emotionally draining and exhausting causing you to lose stability. Your thoughts may be racing down memory lane of the past. You feel as though there were some unresolved issues or lost a job, struggling financially, single parent, lost a loved one and can’t help but to wonder where is God in all of this? Does he see what I am going through? Can he see that the pain is too much to bear? Where is He and what is the root cause of this? What is the lesson I am supposed to learn in the trial or hardship? A All of these are good questions that most of us seek and want answers to. As an example, a few friends and I decided to start attending a workout class at the gym as well as two to three days of having a personal trainer. Now in the beginning I had my mind made up. I was all for it and agreed to the plan. Let me explain I started off in the workout class at my pace nice and steady. When it came to meeting up with a trainer. The trainer didn’t come to play you had to work hard to see the results and remain consistent with a series of circuit training. Circuit training is several exercises with a mixture of cardio and strengthening to get you in a routine of targeting specific muscle groups with minimal rest between. Why is it that the beginning stages of starting is the hardest!? The first few days to a week I was out of breath, out of shape, struggling to continue. It was painful, it hurt, I was tired, I pushed hard and asked myself how are you feeling? Even though the pain was uncomfortable two or three months from now I had to remember from a whole new perspective In all circumstances of what you’re experiencing in life God has a purpose for the pain. He wants to prune you, prepare, and equip you, turn your mess into a message for His Kingdom and His Glory. You may not understand it now but in due time all will prevail. In the Bible MSG version: Romans 8:26-28 MSG “Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” Deuteronomy 31:6 MSG ““Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”” Continue to trust in God even when you cannot trace him. Be blessed! (PHOTO) By Author Donnetta Austin Amazon “Never Retire God” Email be.encouragedbyone@gmail.com 17

COURAGEOUS TRUTHS: DVAM & Abuse Reparations October 2021 is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Beloved. By now, you have been following our stories here and are starting to grasp the enormity of the problem of DV (domestic violence) as it relates to us as Black women. And don’t get me wrong, as the community, we need you to know the problem.

However, the other part of the work of Courageous Fire, LLC1 unique to you? How can you monetize those? is to make sure the Black sisters impacted by DV know how to take their power back, or become empowered for the first time. One of the ways we do that is through the 2nd of our twofold philosophy: Abuse Reparations. Here’s the text taken straight from our website: “We teach survivors how to extract currency following an abusive situation; because the most effective revenge is to make abuse pay you back - reparations, Beautiful.”2 How does abuse pay YOU? As a survivor, I sat down with myself. I asked myself how I got here and how to avoid it in the future. Through research, reflection, and incredible therapists, I was able to formulate a process for finding predispositions to predatory situations and am removing those vulnerabilities, setting appropriate boundaries, and removing toxicity from my sphere entirely. Okay, that was great to begin my journey to healing, but a sistah wanted to know - WHERE’S THE MONEY? This marriage had stolen nearly 15 years of my life and I wanted to know how it could pay dividends back into my life. Into my daughters’ lives. Yass… Abuse Definition - cruel and violent treatment of a person or animal Reparations Definition - the compensation for war damage paid by a defeated state. I LOVE the definition for reparations! I defeated abuse, it didn’t defeat me, and now it needed to pay me for war damage!! This is a concept we teach survivors as they are gaining empowerment and stability. What did you learn or master during or after the abuse that allowed you to use parts of you that are 1. To interact in our Facebook live #OurTalks special edition for DVAM click here: Event 2. Check our brand new blog: Blog Link 3. In a relationship? Make sure it’s healthy: Healthy Relationship Wheel Illustration. Or go to TheHotline.org, or Phone: 800-799-7233 4. In an abusive relationship? Talk to The Hotline. org to commence safety planning 5. Survivor and stable in your new life? Sign up for Empowerment through the Arts™; avoid future DV cycles: Survivor Support 6. Community member want to learn what you can do? Go to: Awareness Talks & Community Safe Spaces 7. Want to financially support the work? Donate Here Blessings. #Permission By Courageous Fire DV Advocate & Founder of Courageous Fire, LLC Endnotes 1. Courageous Fire, LLC website address: cfirellc. com 2. Taken from Philosophy section on cfirellc.com on the Specialty page 19 Depending on when this article runs, we will be having (or will have already had) the #OurTalks show interviewing 3 Black professional women, 2 entrepreneurs, 1 therapist, who are survivors of DV. They are going to be sharing a small portion of their story and a big portion of how they found their reparations blueprint. In this DVAM, I definitely want to shed light on what domestic violence is, but I want to shed the most light this time on overcoming. Conquering. Gettin’ your getback, Sis. Reparations.

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Written By: Cleophus (Cleo) Franklin Jr. “If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything and is open to everything. In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few.” - Shunryu Suzuki In my book, “Coffee With Cleo” and my new book, “Lessons Learned from our Mothers and Fathers”, I discuss the power of perspective, how it informs us, shapes our world view, and drives our decision making...as perspective is and always will be the difference-maker for success in our livelihoods and our lives. The key to driving innovation or transformational change is based on one’s mindset of how we see a thing, from simple to complex problems, building strategy, our relationships, or even taking risks. And having an open-minded perspective is critical to your success. Over the years, the more I learned as a business executive, I also realized there was even more that I didn’t know which concerned me. My experience accumulation, although appreciated - was heavily based on my past...both good or bad, but again... all informed by yesterday’s thinking, approach, and results. Don’t get me wrong, as I value leaders who rely on their past experience and expertise to help them navigate through tough times and industry downturns. Just like the expression says “experience matters” and believes me it does. Why? As a business leader who has led high-performance and innovative organizations for over thirty years, I can personally attest to the validity of this saying. However, the limitation of leading solely by experience, is that it predicts tomorrow will be just 21 “ The Power of “Beginner’s Mindset” ”

like yesterday or the past, which is why full dependence on this approach can be problematic. Why? Because many of today’s problems we face fully require going well beyond yesterday’s solutions. In fact, today we continue to face new and unanticipated challenges, and as they say, “What got us here, won’t get us there”, and I believe there is a lot of truth to this saying. This is why I admire and have learned to subscribe to the “Beginner’s Mindset” way of thinking articulated in Suzuki’s quote. If you lead with a beginner’s mind, you are not hampered by the predisposition of what has happened before. Instead, you are guided and focused on the unlimited possibilities of what could be - that is unknown to experiences of the past. For example - in 2020 COVID-19 ascended upon the world, gave us pause, and stopped everyone in their tracks. As time went on living with this new pandemic, we immediately realized old thinking would not help us successfully navigate this unprecedented and new reality. From hybrid classrooms, establishing a whole new set of business safety protocols and procedures, implementing tracking and tracing, and lastly trying to work, teach, entertain, and care for your children from home….let’s just say - our new way of living required new thinking. Simply put - COVID-19 took us to a beginner’s mindset way of thinking that drove new innovations (and re-thinking) across many industries and throughout our lives to counter and get through this unprecedented pandemic challenge. COVID-19 taught us the value and importance of new thinking, to seek lessons beyond the past, but to approach leading and problem solving with the inclusion of a beginner’s mindset - unbridled curiosity, and anticipation of what tomorrow could be. For example, early in my career, I was asked to lead a team to turn around a segment of business that was struggling with two series of product lines. Both series were experiencing increased market competitiveness, decreasing market share, revenue loss, and declining customer satisfaction. To tackle this problem, it was decided we would form two teams and assign each the responsibility to design, develop, and deliver a turnaround strategy for each business product. I was asked to lead one of the teams and below is a summary of

the approach and results of this experience. • The team I led was a collaboration and mix of people within the company across every functional area and consultants from outside the organization, which was new and bold. • This “new thinking approach” was unheard of at the time within our organization. It was also not aligned with our culture to bring in outsiders to develop solutions to solve our internal/external problems because the mindset of, “the only way to understand our business is to come up in our business” ways of thinking was culturally pervasive. • However, we bucked the system and gain approval to try out this new approach and brought a fresh point of view to help us “frame” the problem from several perspectives. • We also actively sought nontraditional (cross-functionally) inputs from every business area, including best practices and benchmarking other companies within and outside of our industry. • We also created an inclusive information-sharing process to include representatives from the second team to view, share, and exchange our learnings. • The second team, comprised of internal company members was well qualified with deep industry knowledge and more industry experience than my team. • Team two led their processes with the traditional tried and true problem-solving methods from the past with limited participation for other business functions, kept their strategy development close to their vest, didn’t openly share or actively participate with my team. • Lastly, Team two was also unwary, and questioned our approach, as we were quickly branded as the “inexperienced” team on a quick path to failure. Summary: • My team’s recommendations led to several new ground-breaking and innovative growth strategies. This happened despite constant questioning and doubt - our team turned around our product line, by producing record sales growth, market share, revenues, and profit increases. • Our team also delivered a new reconstructed groundbreaking product portfolio strategy that continues to perform well in the market. • The second team experienced some success, but not at the unprecedented levels my team delivered, and their product line suffered from declines in customer satisfaction. As stated earlier, experience is a collection of information acquired over a lifetime. It has tremendous value but contains a repository of expertise, past knowledge we can tap into - from a rearview mirror point of view. It can inform or limit our approach, as point out in my above example. It is when we balance experience with new thinking, we get the best of both worlds. Leaders who seek out new inputs, actively solicit varied perspectives, and diverse points of view to influence their decisions build and draw their solutions for the collective - as they look at the world with an open mind of not how things were, but how they can be, and avoid going it alone. This is why I love teaching MBAs at the University of Houston, Marilyn Davies Schoool of Business with my colleague Professor Scott Davis. Our class is filled with Millennials and Gen-Zs - our next generations of leaders, who are unabashed and not afraid to challenge how things have been done in the past, while eagerly seeking how to approach problems differently, resulting in future possibilities unimagined by their older generations. But, they are also interested in my years of expertise, which makes me marvel and root for this well-capable next generation. The more I spend time teaching, the more I learn from my students, who teach me in return, which keeps me in check, and more importantly - allows me to embrace the beginner’s mindset, balance my past expertise and keep an open mind to new ways of doing things. “If you lead with a beginner’s mind, you are not hampered by the predisposition of what has happened before. Instead, you are guided and focused on the unlimited possibilities of what could be - that is unknown to experiences of the past.” 23

MRS. IOWA Desiree Fletcher I had the opportunity to send questions and speak with Mrs. Iowa Desiree Fletcher. She will compete in the Mrs. America competition in Las Vegas, Nevada November 2021. Below are her responses. Tell me a little about yourself Career Accomplishments: I owned three gyms as part of the Anytime Fitness Franchise for nine years. I was also the first Marketing Director for E.P. True Chiropractic and developed the entire marketing framework. Educational Accomplishments: University of Northern Iowa Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, Certified Nutrition Coach by the National Academy of Metabolic Sciences. Community Involvement/Volunteer Work: Around Town Mobile Food Pantry (1997 – Present), Director of Des Moines Navigator Pathfinder Club (2018 – Present) Special Hobbies/Interests: Co-host: Real Talk with Desiree & Kaelin Podcast, Host: Temple Building from the Inside Out on KPOG 102.9 How would the dictionary describe you? Unconventional. Trial-by-fire seems to be my standard mode of operation, and even when I do not have all the answers to act toward a goal, I jump in any way!

What is the most powerful characteristic about you? The ability to learn through new experiences and responsibilities. A prime example would be becoming a podcast host with no prior experience. But I accepted the challenge and have grown our listeners from 0 to an average of 1,000 – 2,000 per show from at least 10 countries. Other than being crowned, tell us something that you dream of doing? Leaving behind a legacy of people who improved their lives because I cared enough to share my journey to health and wellness. What is the most interesting personal fact about you? At the age of 47, I made my debut as a Pro Bikini Natural Bodybuilding competitor and won 1st Place! Have pageants been a part of your life? I competed within the USA pageant as a Teen and Miss in my teens, and then again, as a Mrs. in my mid-20’s, but haven’t competed since then. I generally did well, placing in the top 5, but never achieved a title until now. What prompted you to run for Mrs. Iowa? I was serving on the judging panel for the Iowa Teen & USA Pageant and fellow judge and pageant coach, Kerry Damiano, asked the rest of the female judges if we had considered participating in a Mrs. Pageant. And quite honestly, the thought had not crossed my mind. Later that evening, I was relaying the conversation to my husband, and he thought on it for a moment and then asked, “How much is this going to cost us?” Which I thought was comical, because I still wasn’t thinking that I was going to enter a pageant. But the more we talked about it, the more the potential of being a title holder came into view as far as being able to spread a health message to a broader audience. So, I researched some different pageant organizations for married women, landed on the Mrs. America organization and signed-up. Tell me more about Mrs. Iowa: The Mrs. Iowa America pageant publicly recognizes accomplished, driven, and beautiful married women who have obtained personal, professional and community achievements. The motto for the pageant is “We Are Family”. The “Mrs. America Competition” rich in history, was first held in 1938 and continued until 1968. In 1977, after a nine-year hiatus, it was revived by David Z. Marmel, after his successful career in professional athletics and independent television production. He was instrumental in setting the new direction for the pageant and transforming the pageant into the multifaceted event it is today. Mrs. America was the first and remains the foremost competition for the married woman in America. Nowin its 41st year it is the premiere pageant for married women. it has epitomized excellence, professionalism, and the celebration of family values, and is supported by an office and full-time director in every state in America and the District of Columbia. The winner of the Mrs. America crown receives prizes and endless opportunities. During her exciting and memorable reign, she will make personal appearances throughout the country. For the entire year she acts as the ambassador and spokesperson for America’s married women. She may speak to civic groups and business organizations, appear in print and television commercials, and conducts countless interviews 25

with members of the press. She becomes, in effect, the public symbol of all wives and mothers. The modern pageant, while maintaining its traditions, now seeks to recognize what David calls, “America’s greatest natural resource – the contemporary married woman.” The winner of the Mrs. America Competition represents America in the international Mrs. World Pageant. What does Mrs. Iowa mean to you? It’s tremendous! In the Bible, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 goes on to say that our body is a temple, a place where God wants to draw near to us and to honor Him with our bodies. And that speaks to my heart. So, being a title holder is giving me the opportunity to share my passion and faith to a broader audience. I couldn’t really ask for more. More than 900,000 Americans die from lifestylerelated diseases each year. I haven’t been able to find a statistic on African Americans specifically for the top five lifestyle diseases (heart disease, cancer, stroke, lower respiratory, and unintentional injuries...not to mention diabetes and obesity), but when you consider that 70,000 African Americans from heard disease annually and have a life expectancy four years shorter than Caucasians, you can see there is a ton of awareness that is needed. I am only one voice, but, to the one who is willing to listen and act, I can change and maybe even save their life. You can’t really put a value on that. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? As a life-long Iowa resident, there is no other place

I would rather call home. I’ve traveled enough to appreciate Iowa and all the simple pleasures it has to offer. I’m proud to be an Iowan. A little-known fact is we are ranked #1 for “opportunity,” and it is my mission to get the word out that Iowa is a great place to raise children, establish a business and enjoy a sought-after quality of life. I spend part of my day as the marketing director of an active chiropractic clinic. The rest of the time, I’m a high-energy champion of good health as a wellness coach, Pro natural bikini bodybuilding competitor, and a radio show/podcast host. I’m also a mother of four, wife of a world-champion taxidermist and an avid volunteer. My hobbies, interest, and community involvement include FCF = Family. Community. Fitness. My husband and I are dedicated to molding and supporting our young-adult children in becoming productive members of society. We also make it a priority to support each other, whether working side-by-side in our taxidermy business or jointly supporting the natural bodybuilding community (I compete, Cory cheers and motivates). Serving at my church is also a priority: I have volunteered with the Around Town Mobile Food Pantry for nearly 25 years and serve as Director for our local Youth Pathfinder Club. Every Thursday evening on my podcast “Real Talk with Desiree & Kaelin,” and every Wednesday afternoon on my nutrition-focused radio program, “Temple Building from the Inside Out,” I/we cover the natural bodybuilding community and health issues such as light therapy, nutrition, cancer treatments, hormone therapy and more. I appreciate Desiree taking part in this interview make sure to root her on at the Mrs. America pageant. HELP PLAN THE FUTURE OF TRANSIT Over the past several months, DART has used customer feedback and community input to develop a new vision for the future of transit in central Iowa. Now we need to hear from you. Visit ridedart.com/future to learn more about proposed service recommendations and complete a short survey. 27

Broadlawns Medical Center Questions to Ask When Given a New Prescription Written by: Tyler Prokuski According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 48% of people in the United States were prescribed at least one medication in the past 30 days. Prescriptions contain a great deal of information that has been carefully thought out by a healthcare professional to ensure it is the best option based on your medical history and current condition. When someone approaches the pharmacy window to pick up their prescription, the pharmacist tells them the most important things to consider when taking it, including how to store it and how they should expect to feel after taking it. After the pharmacist goes over this information, they will then ask, “What questions do you have about your new prescription?” In the interest of time, most people say they have no questions so they can go about their day, only to realize an hour later they have unanswered questions or concerns about their new medicine. In this article, we hope to address the most important questions you should ask your doctor or pharmacist, so your new medication is safe and effective.

How should I take it? There will always be directions on the bottle or container you receive your medication in, however these directions can sometimes be unclear or incomplete. For example, when the directions say, “twice daily” and you take the first dose in the morning, do you take the second dose with lunch, dinner or at bedtime? Always clarify this information so you are getting the full effect of the medicine, while making sure you are not taking too much. How do I know if it’s working? While some medications can work within the hour, others can take weeks to months to have a full effect. Knowing when to expect results is important not only to know when the medicine is working, but also to know when the medicine is not having the effect that is intended. What side effects should I expect? There are virtually no medications that do not cause some side effects. While some side effects are mild burdens, others can be serious and require immediate medical attention. Pharmacists are trained to not only know the side effects of the medications you are taking, but also how common they occur in patients. Make sure to have a conversation with your pharmacist about all the possible side effects of your medication. How should I store it? Improper storage of medications can lead to all sorts of problems with how it works in your body. For example, many people store their medications in their bathroom, which can be problematic when someone showers and exposes it to moisture. This can affect how the medication works when you take it. Talk with your pharmacist about proper storage of medications. What do I do if I miss a dose? You 29 wake up and find you are late for work, so you rush out and forget all about that pill your doctor told you to take every morning. When you get home should you take the pill you forgot about or wait until the next dose in the morning? Talk to your pharmacist about what you should do when you miss a dose. Whether you are taking one pill every day or injecting a medication once a week, medication management can slip under the radar for most people in our hectic lives. Asking your local pharmacist or primary doctor questions can help you avoid any problems you may encounter when taking your medications. Broadlawns offers outpatient and inpatient pharmacy services right on its main campus. In addition to prescriptions, many low-cost generic over-the-counter drugs are also available. A medication dropoff box is conveniently located by the pharmacy check-out window for safe medication disposal. Broadlawns pharmacy hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Prescription refills may be requested 24/7. To reach the Broadlawns pharmacy call (515) 2822378 or visit www.broadlawns.org. Most insurance plans accepted. Tyler Prokuski is a Drake University PharmD Candidate completing his Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience inpatient pharmacy rotation at Broadlawns Medical Center.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION: Iowa Chapter Overcoming Stigma Around Alzheimer’s and Dementia Facing stigma is often a primary concern of people living with Alzheimer’s and their care partners. Those with the disease report being misunderstood because of the myths and misconceptions others have about the disease. Why we need to fight Alzheimer’s stigma? “After my diagnosis, I was overwhelmed by fear that made me want to hide. But out of that fear grew determination. I wanted to learn everything I could about the disease and make awareness my cause.” - Phil G., Living with Alzheimer’s Stigma is the use of negative labels to identify a person with a disability or illness. Stigma around Alzheimer’s disease exists, in part, due to the lack of public awareness and understanding of the disease, preventing people from: • Seeking medical treatment when symptoms are present • Receiving an early diagnosis or any diagnosis at all • Living the best quality of life possible while they are able to do so • Making plans for their future • Benefitting from available treatments • Developing a support system • Participating in clinical trials Stigma and lack of awareness also impacts Alzheimer’s disease research. The government funds Alzheimer’s research at lower rates than other diseases, even when the cost of caring for Alzheimer’s disease is significantly higher. The experience of Alzheimer’s stigma Stigma and stereotypes are a significant obstacle to well-being and quality of life for those with dementia and their families. Here are some examples of the stigma you may experience: • A diagnosis may test friendships. Friends may refuse to believe your diagnosis or withdraw from your life, leaving a feeling of abandonment or isolation. • Relationships with family may change. Family members may not want to talk about the disease, perceive you as having little or no quality of life, or may avoid interacting with you. • Others may approach your care partner to ask about you rather than asking you directly how you are doing. • The reaction of some friends and family to your diagnosis may prevent you from seeking help from others.

Six tips to overcome Alzheimer’s stigma The following tips are based on the advice and experience of current and former members of the Alzheimer’s Association National Early-Stage Advisory Group, which consists of individuals in the early stage of the disease who help raise awareness about the disease. 1. Become an Early-Stage Advisor The Alzheimer’s Association is looking for individuals to be on our Early-Stage Advisory Group. 2. Be open and direct. Engage others in discussions about Alzheimer’s disease and the need for prevention, better treatment and an eventual cure. Engage with others like you on our message boards. 3. Communicate the facts. Sharing accurate information is key to dispelling misconceptions about the disease. Whether a pamphlet or link to online content, offer information to help people better understand Alzheimer’s disease. Learn the facts about Alzheimer’s and find an education program online or near you. 4. Seek support and stay connected. 31 6. Be a part of the solution. As an individual living with the disease, yours is the most powerful voice to help raise awareness, end stigma, and advocate for more Alzheimer’s support and research. Learn how you can make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Learn more about overcoming stigma, what to expect in your journey with Alzheimer’s or dementia, caring for a loved one living with the disease and more from the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/iowa. It is important to stay engaged in meaningful relationships and activities. Whether family, friends or a support group, a network is critical. Find an early-stage support group near you. 5. Don’t be discouraged. Denial of the disease by others is not a reflection of you. If people think that Alzheimer’s disease is normal aging, see it as an education opportunity. Here are some tips for helping family and friends adjust to your diagnosis.

Mental Health: Reverend Roderick Bradley, Founder, Urban Experience Magazine National Bullying Prevention Month Dr. Clair Rudison Jr. Management Consultant. It’s October and this means it’s National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying happens in schools, in colleges and even professional workplaces, which have antibullying policies. For this article, instead of giving you a lot of statistics which are important, I want to do something more in depth to shine the spotlight on Bullying. I want the reader to not only read but participate. I want you to be truly honest with yourself. Are you ready? Here we go. 1. Are you a Bully or ever been a Bully? 2. Are you currently being Bullied? If so, what are you doing to stop it? 3. Are you a By-Stander? (You see the bullying happening, but you do nothing). 4. Are you a Bully Blocker? (A person who is willing to stand up against the bullying or report the bullying). Let’s explore together! 1.If you are a bully, then I challenge you to ask yourself “why am I a bully”? Something to ask yourself-Do I feel better about myself when I bully others? Do I feel more powerful and in control? Now ask yourself the deeper question “What are you going to do to help yourself stop being a bully? 2. If you are being bullied/ or been bullied, ask yourself how your life is impacted. Do you have someone you can talk to about being bullied? What have you done to end bullying? Have you informed a parent, a teacher, a coworker,

a trusted friend? Have you tried forming allies with a “bully-blocker”? 3. For the By-stander some strategies I would like you to consider. Have you thought about telling someone in authority, if a student, telling a teacher or trusted adult in private, or your workplace antibullying hotline? How can you support the person being bullied? Consider how you can gather other people who are willing to take a stand against bullying and support the victim. 4. If you are a bully blocker then please give yourself a round of applause. I would like to share a brief testimony of a “bully blocker.” In my early 20’s, I ran into a guy who attended the same school I did. We didn’t hang out as friends; however, he was always being bullied. He was of Asian descent. I was taught to be respectful of everyone regardless of their skin color or ethnic background. I disliked anyone being bullied. Needless to say, this guy recognized me right away. We greeted each other briefly. To my surprise he said “I want to thank you” I asked him what for? He said, he wanted to thank me for standing up to kids who bullied him and called him racial slurs. I was honored and grateful to be remembered in such a manner. Today I would call it being a “bully blocker”. It only takes one person to make a difference in someone else’s life. Ask yourself, who do you choose to be? The individual who stands up or the by-stander who sees and does nothing. I would encourage everyone to be a bully-blocker. The impact is powerful for both you and the victim. Together we can stop the bullying! If you have ever been bullied, I want to apologize to you, no one deserves to be bullied. Regardless of your race, religion, 33 sexual orientation or gender, bullying is something that should never be tolerated. Unfortunately, adults too can turn a blind eye to bullying. Bullying is something I recommend all parents to talk to their children about. Check in with your children to make sure they are not being bullied. Take note if grades are slipping, if your child is spending more time to themselves, or you see a change in positive behavior. If the parent is a bully, it’s most likely the child will follow in their footsteps. It is vital to be positive role models for our children. We must remember to be aware of on-line and social media bullying as well. One way to help stop the bullying is by coming together as a community, working together to put an end to bullying. This is vital. My son and I worked to create an anti-bullying clothing line called Simply Nerdie. We came up with the acronym N.E.R.D: Nice. Educated. Respectful. Determined. We want to spread awareness and put an end to bullying. If you are interested in checking out some of our Antibullying merchandise, please visit the website at SimplyNerdie.com. Remember together we can help put an end to bullying. Caleb Thomas M.A. LMHC 319 206-0651 thomasacc.com Thomas & Associates Counseling & Consulting Counseling with a God given purpose!

EMS CONTRIBUTING EDITOR GRANDPARENTS MAY HOLD THE KEY TO OVERCOMING COVID VACCINE HESITANCY IN BLACK COMMUNITY Written By: SUNITA SOHRABJI “The grandmothers, in my opinion, hold the black community together.” - SUNITA SOHRABJI

B lack seniors who themselves are vaccinated could be the trusted messengers the community needs to get the Covid vaccination, said public health experts at a news briefing Sept. 21. “In the black community, grandparents hold a place of high respect,” said pediatrician Michael Lenoir, board chair of the African American Wellness Project. “The grandmothers, in my opinion, hold the black community together.” “So if the grandparent is telling the young: ‘you need to go get vaccinated. I got vaccinated, you need to go get vaccinated,’ there’s not a lot of discussion, it’s pretty straightforward,” he said at the news briefing, jointly organized by Ethnic Media Services and California Black Media. Older African Americans are much more open to the discussion of vaccines than younger African Americans are, said Lenoir. He noted that Black parents are holding themselves and their children back from getting vaccinated because of fears of possible negative side effects from the shot. An estimated 48 percent of Black Californians are fully vaccinated, compared to 58 percent of the state’s population at large. In California, Black people comprise 5 percent of the population, but make up 7 percent of the state’s deaths from Covid, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Dr. Oliver Brooks, Chief Medical Officer for the Watts Healthcare Corporation in Los Angeles, said Blacks are less likely to get vaccinated because of a lack of access to vaccination sites, missing a day of work to get a shot, and possibly more days if there are side effects. Few are actually antivaxxers, he said. Black Americans have also been mistreated by the healthcare system and thus rightly have a distrust of it, said Brooks. “Blacks have been mistreated by the medical system for as long as we have been in this country, going back to the enslaved.” he said. noting that medical schools would use Black bodies as cadavers for college anatomy classes. Sterilizations were forced upon Black women in the South. And the Tuskegee experiment — also known the US Public Health Service experiment in Alabama — denied treatment for syphilis to Black males for four decades, to assess the impact of the disease when it goes untreated. In the present day, African Americans are less likely to get cardiac studies and procedures, or treatment for pain. “This is all documented. So I want it to be clear that the mistrust with the medical system is valid,” said Brooks. Former California state Legislator Cheryl Brown, co-founder of Black Voice News, discussed the necessity of trusted messengers as she introduced Rev. Steven Shepard, pastor of the AME Church in San Bernardino, California. “He didn’t really want to get a vaccination at first. But he would always talk about how tired he was. He would always talk about he couldn’t keep his eyes open, how he had lost his sense of taste.” Brown’s husband called the county hospital. A doctor spoke to Shepard and told him to go to the hospital right away. “Five days later, the doctor looked at him and said: ‘You know, people come in your condition, they don’t generally walk out.’” “The pastor is convinced now that this is something that’s very important for us as African Americans, and he has gone all out. His leadership is what’s changing the trajectory of this vaccine in our community,” said Brown. “I was on the Covid doorstep of death,” said Shepard. “I did not want to get the vaccine because of some of the issues that both doctors had discussed, and how we’re treated every day when we go into doctors’ offices or to ER rooms.” But historically, the Black church has served as the epicenter for 35 bringing about positive change in the community, said Shepard. “When I was released from the hospital, I felt it was my job to make sure that our community had the right information. The Bible tells us that our people perish for lack of knowledge.” “I was so into dealing with what happened in the past, that I did not take the time to realize the science behind the vaccine,” he said. Alva Brannon, who recently became fully vaccinated, said that she has a distrust of the healthcare system because her father was part of the Tuskegee experiment and did not get treated for his syphilis. Brannon contracted syphilis in utero and lost her vision in childhood. Her mother had to get a court order so that she could receive a corneal transplant. When her doctor asked her to get vaccinated, the elderly woman initially said no, believing the vaccine would harm her. But a few days later, she got a call from her church, which had set up a vaccination site to administer the single dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine. “I accepted that as a symbol of God, and that it was time,” she said, adding that she then encouraged her children and relatives to get vaccinated as well. The briefing also featured the premiere of a video-rap created by Christopher Hargrove-Thompson and his roommate Nicholas Buckwalter. The video shows Chris going to CVS to get his shot while rapping about wanting to be safe so he can see his grandmother. “A lot of our information is filtered through social media; there’s so much misinformation. Even if you don’t fully believe it, a lot of young people already are so busy and just procrastinate on a variety of things, not just vaccinations. And misinformation allows people to just delay the entire process as a whole,” said Hargrove-Thompson.

Public Affairs: The Road to Honoring a Legend in Education Written By: Celeste Lawson T he following are excerpts from two interviews that took place on September 15, 2021, and September 16, 2021, respectively. Part 1: Interview with Heather Ryan Celeste: What can you share with our readers about the new East High School theater within the Des Moines Public Schools? Heather: What I personally know about the construction of it is that it’s a high-price facility that is taking place of the theater I grew up in…the theater my grandparents grew up in…and the theater that has been at the school, I think without renovation, since the school began. I think they moved into the building during 1911. It is a huge construction project…a gigantic investment in our students and it is exciting for East High School to finally get some new infrastructure. Celeste: What inspired you to pursue naming the new Des Moines’ East High School theater after State Representative, and former Des Moines Public Schools educator, Ruth Ann Gaines? Heather: Well…I think what is missing in that sentence is ‘legend’. Ruth Ann Gaines is a legend. Not just a legend on the east side of Des Moines, but also in the (Iowa) legislature (and for her) advocacy. I genuinely believe that she should be honored in the naming of the new theater. She was my high school drama teacher…she was my Dad’s high school drama teacher…my aunt’s high school drama teacher…she was my daughter’s high school drama teacher, and college for that matter. So, it’s not that she just touched my life…which of course she has, but she has touched tens of thousands of lives…and she is a legend, not just on the east side, but to Iowa in general. Celeste: Do you have any final comments for our readers? Heather: In addition to what I said previously regarding how Ms. Gaines touched tens of thousands of lives, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today. I wouldn’t be outgoing…or maybe as eloquent in my speech…as obviously you can telI (laughter)…if it wasn’t for her guidance.

of this project, and to whom may the public present questions about, and/or aid in the implementation of this effort? Vallery: Actually Celeste, right now there is no timeline. However, we would like to get this done as quickly as possible, in terms of getting the petition signed and so on. We need to get the petitions in the hands of the powers that be, so that we can move forward. I don’t know if there are other names that are being thrown around…and so because we don’t know that…we need to make sure that we can get Ruth Ann Gaines’ name out there…and we can move forward. Ruth Ann Gaines In order to view a bio of Representative Ruth Ann Gaines go to https://www.legis.iowa.gov/ legislatorslegislator?ga=88&personID=9413. Her guidance should be celebrated, and this is just a perfect way to celebrate it forever. Celeste: Thank you, Heather. Part 2: Interview with Vallery Griffis Celeste: In what way(s) may the public provide support to this effort? Vallery: Let me start by saying that our goal is to gather 2,500 signatures. Presently we have 2,301 signatures. So…if people who have not signed the petition, which has come back again…it had gone down at one point…I am not sure why it was taken down, but anyway, it was taken down and has gone back up recently…and our goal again is to get 2,500 signatures. If we could get people to go back, those people who have not already done so…to go on and sign the petition. That would be just wonderful. I would hope that we could exceed our goal…that would be outstanding. That is probably the best way right now that we can have people help us as we go through this process. Celeste: What is the timeline for the completion We are trying to follow a process that we thought was in place, I am not sure that process was in place… and I’ll share that in just a minute…but, I have been trying to contact people who could have assisted us, in terms of what goes on in the (school) district office, the people who might be in the know. I just learned though…as recently as this morning…as I was talking to a person with whom I had spoken with previously at the district…and she said that there is really no process. What we wanted to do is to make sure that we were following a process. I don’t know whether the precedent had been set…or whatever…I just wanted to make sure that if there was a process for submitting a name for a person to be honored…in terms of a building, a stadium, or whatever…we wanted to follow that process. So, I was throwing around questions to people at the district. I understand that Heather Ryan has spoken to the district thoroughly…and I hope I am not digressing… but, Heather Ryan has spoken to the district…and gone to the school board…I’m sorry…at some point early on…right before COVID-19…I’m not sure when it was…but when she left, things didn’t seem to happen anymore, and I’m not sure what happened with that. So, when I asked about that, I was told by a person at the district level that she had remembered Heather speaking to them. I asked her what action was taken… and her comment was that there was no action, because it was just a presentation to the board. So, 37

learning that…my thought was then we need to regroup and figure out where we need to go from here. So, I was calling on the district… first of all…to find out (what their) process was…and somebody was supposed to get back to me…and never did. I found out…again, like I said, this morning as I called back to that person…and she informed me that there was no process…and her words were…things just start and they somehow snowball…which was very disheartening for me because, as I said, we wanted to go through the process…we didn’t want to do anything that would impede the process…and we wanted to make sure that we had our i’s dotted, and our t’s crossed. So…when you asked me what our timeline is…I don’t know. I’m still trying to get in touch with people. I left messages throughout the district…and waiting for callbacks… some I’ve gotten…but I haven’t gotten any real information about the lack of process. I have been leaving messages and hoping that we get some return calls, so that we can get some assistance…and get a direction… but right now we are still planning to get the petitions out. I have all the copies of the petitions…and we are still going to get the petitions throughout the district. One will be going to the principal at East High School, because at some point I was told that is where it should start, and that person would be instrumental in also pushing along the process. I also plan to present petitions to individual members of the board, and to the superintendent. Celeste: In conclusion, do you have any final comments for the readers? Vallery: I think what we are doing is a labor of love for a woman who has given 40 years to the Des Moines School District…who has helped everybody she could along the way. Everything that she has done…has been done because she cares about people, she cares about causes…and she is not necessarily looking to be in the spotlight. We are talking about a woman who has written 200 plays…who has started so many, many programs in the Des Moines School District, and each of those programs has been helpful for the students at East High School and throughout the district. Not only that…we are talking about a woman who has also worked throughout our community. Everything she has done…she has done well. We are talking about a woman who is a Representative at the statehouse…she has been the ‘Teacher of the Year’…and she is just a dynamite woman who I think deserves to be honored by having the East High School’s new auditorium named after her. Celeste: Thank you, Vallery. NOTE: To sign the petition go to https://www.change.org/p/ east-high-alumni-rename-thenew-theater-at-des-moines-easthigh-after-40-year-teacher-rep-ruthann-gaines.of this effort? Celeste: Thank you, Heather. Vallery P. Griffis, a native of Montgomery, Alabama, worked for Des Moines Public Schools for thirty-three years. A former English and African American Studies teacher, she retired as a high school administrator in 2010. Mrs. Griffis’ teaching experience includes middle school, high school, community college, and university levels. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in English (psychology minor) from Alabama State University, a Master of Arts Degree in English with a concentration in African American Literature, and Administration Certification from Iowa State University. Additionally, she studied at Drake University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Wisconsin (Madison). Heather Ryan is an entrepreneur and Political Scientist who resides in far eastern Polk County, Iowa. She has worked in Washington, DC, appeared on many Reality TV shows and ran for congress in Kentucky. Heather is a well known political and social activist and has traveled the world on various television shows and for causes.

Angela Jackson’s Bio Debra Carr Bio Angela Jackson, Esq. is an Entrepreneur and owner of The Great Frame Up which is an Art Gallery and Custom Framing Business located in West Des Moines. She also is Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Athene USA Corporation. Angela serves her community as Board Member of The West Des Moines Chamber, Des Moines Arts Festival, Cornerstone Family Church and an Honorary Board Member for Des Moines Performing Arts. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and The Des Moines Chapter of the Links, Incorporated. Angela is a Thought Leader and alumni of Washington University School of Law and Duke University. Debra Carr serves professionally and personally as a champion for diversity, inclusion, and equity. Uplifting women and girls to become the best version of themselves is foundational. Debra is Principal Consultant and owner of Carr and Associates and works full-time for Des Moines Public Schools consulting for building level administrators, faculty, and staff to achieve school improvement goals. Debra has received numerous awards and is a champion for her community in which she has served for many years. Gary Lawson’s Bio Gary Lawson is a freelance writer who focuses on various aspects of business and government. He earned a graduate degree in Government Administration, and an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a duel concentration in Management and Marketing. He is a VietnamEra veteran who has served as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army. In addition, he has taught business courses at Drake University and Des Moines Area Community College. C O NTRIB UT O RS Celeste Lawson’s bio Celeste Lawson is a freelance writer who focuses on various aspects of education and cultural diversity. She earned a graduate degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education, with concentrations in English and Language Arts. In addition, she has more than 20 years of classroom experience with teaching students at the primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels. Caleb Thomas’ Bio Caleb Thomas is a counselor at Thomas & Associates Counseling & Consulting Counseling with a God given purpose! thomasacc.com

Terence G. Haynes Bio Bert Moody Bio Terence G. Haynes is a Musician, Neo Renaissance Artisan, writer, 30-year career Chef and currently running for Omaha Nebraska City Council District 2 North Omaha. He is a community advocate and bridge builder, a motivational strategist/coach with a passion for people development and Diversity and inclusion champion. A strong faith and belief base in Christ that furnishes a wellgrounded ethical foundation. He has a team building approach to empowering individuals to believe in and think for themselves. He is a multi-faceted communicator, dedicated to making a positive difference in every life he touches. Bert Moody is a Photographer, an IT Consultant, and Web Designer for the Urban Experience Magazine. He has been with the magazine from its inception. He has been a Freelance Photographer in the Des Moines area since 1985, first with Esquire Photo Agency and now with Imagez Photo Studio (www. imagezphotostudio.com). He also is a longtime associate at Nationwide Insurance as is a part of their National Network of Black Associates. Bert volunteers for many activities in the community and is a Board member with The Des Moines Urban Experience. Bert is married with three grown children. C O NTRIB UT O RS Donetta Austin Donnetta Austin is from the Midwest. Her accomplishments include graduating from Scott Eastern Iowa Community College as a Registered & Certified Dental Assistant. She has worked in healthcare for seventeen years. She also provides care for elderly as a certified nurse aide and currently attending DMACC as a Nursing student. Donnetta became an author of her book “Never Retire God” in 2017. This book can be purchased on Amazon. She enjoys writing inspirational books and articles. She feels this is apart of her life’s purpose. Her writing expresses the importance of living a life with no regrets, uplifting others, and making a significant impact by sharing her testimony. It is her life’s goal to make a difference in the lives of others. 41 Lori A. Young Bio Lori A. Young is a native of Des Moines and a graduate of Tech High School and Grand View University. Her professional experience lies in corporate internal and marketing communications. Currently she is self-employed on assignment with the non-profit organization, Just Voices Iowa, as a Communications Director and Project Manager. In her spare time, she’s a feature writer, artist, and community organizer/social activist fighting on issues such as racial, environmental, and economic justice for over 10 years.

Cleophus “Cleo” Franklin Jr.’s Bio Cleophus “Cleo” Franklin Jr.’s leadership expertise is globally recognized. His passion for designing robust business growth, brand strategies, and implementing innovative, disruptive business models have benefited many global businesses and industries. Franklin’s values and beliefs are centered on approaching difficult challenges with curiosity and a beginner’s mindset. He is a purpose-driven leader who embraces servant leadership and investing in the personal and professional development of the next generation of leaders. His leadership career spans over thirty years with John Deere, Case-New Holland, and Mahindra as a global executive. Franklin is a published author. His global leadership book Coffee with Cleo (coffeewithcleo.com) was launched in June 2020. His book highlights ten leadership lessons from his global business executive career. Through artful and engaging storytelling, it showcases how one can navigate challenges successfully in our ever-changing, fastpaced, and complex business world by using an innovative entrepreneurship mindset and proven framework to improve your livelihood, but more importantly, your life. Courageous Bio Negus Sankofa Imhotep’s Bio Courageous exited a 13-year intimate partner relationship because she discovered it was steeped in multiple abuses, including psychological, sexual, and spiritual. This experience made her not only want to learn how and why it happened to her, but how she and other Black sisters could avoid it in the future. Her gift of converting personal life experiences into educational currency is well proven; however, this time she believes it has led her to develop what may be the most important work in her 9 years of curriculum design and delivery - Empowerment through the Arts™. Black trauma-informed therapists recommend it and Black female focus group participants are finding the program’s gains to be sustainable. Courageous has begun the work in the community that interacts with the Black female survivor as well, bringing tools that allow them to see the Black female victimsurvivor’s needs and address them appropriately in her Awareness Education, Survivor Empowerment, and Community Support Training. She is thrilled to bring the work of Courageous Fire, LLC to the pages of the Urban Experience Magazine to keep growing the numbers of Black sisters that get the help they need. Stay Connected to Courageous: Website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter C O NTRIB UT O RS Negus Sankofa Imhotep is the Academic & Workforce Coordinator at Urban Dreams and the Deferred Expulsion Case Manager for Des Moines Public Schools. In these roles, he has connected several of Central Iowa’s top employers with highly skilled untapped talent, assisted hundreds of marginalized central Iowans in securing gainful employment, and successfully advocated on behalf of more than 50 students who faced expulsion from the Des Moines Public School district. Negus is also a sought-after orator and community ally, having served as an Executive Board Member for the Iowa Human Rights Board, a past Chair and Commissioner of the Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans. In 2015, Negus launched Rudison Consultancy Group, LLC to offer cultural community network advising and cultural competency training to agencies and organizations across the region. His commitment to educating emerging leaders is what led him to teaching positions at Hawkeye Community College and Joshua Christian Academy in 2013. Negus holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Political Science from Excelsior College, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Norwich University, and is currently writing his dissertation for a Doctorate in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management from Northcentral University.

It's important to take the time to acknowledge the uniqueness of the deceased: the individuality of their personality, and the uniqueness of their life's path. Not just for them, but for you; it affirms the relationship, and leads to healing after loss. Honoring their life is truly an act of love – for the both of you. “WE’RE FAMILY” PHONE: (515) 309-6550 3500 SIXTH AVENUE DES MOINES, IA 50313 HENDERSONSHP.COM 43

EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES. Schedule your screening today. The American Cancer Society recommends that women with an average risk for breast cancer start yearly mammogram screenings at age 45. MAMMOGRAPHY (515) 282-2309 1801 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA 50314 www.broadlawns.org

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