T GET THE URBAN EXPERIENCE My Life, My Purpose. I am Dwana Bradley. I’m a mother of two, an entrepreneur, serving on various boards, a caretaker, speaker, listener, and I’m living out my purpose in life. Looking back on my childhood, I would never have imagined being where I am today. I remember while growing up watching other kids play, and I’d never say a word. My mom would get frustrated with me because I would ask to go outside and then just sit, never speaking to others. The first time I sang a song at church, I grabbed the microphone and cried the whole time. My mom wanted to come to my rescue, but the choir director— who happened to be the Pastor’s wife at the time— stopped her by saying, “She needs to know how to speak to others. She will be alright.” I’ve always remembered those words. I used to wonder why she put me through everything, crying those tears and no one coming to my rescue hurt, but I have since come to realize the Pastor’s wife saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. It was because she never let me run and hide that I’m the person I am today. I don’t back away from a challenge, and in my own way, I make sure my voice is heard. I speak with confidence, and I know I was put on this earth to make a difference. My voice is my gift. As the owner of Iowa Urban Media, our purpose as a media company is to print, publish, and promote. We provide information and while I do not consider myself a journalist, I am an educator. Under the umbrella of Iowa Urban Media, we have Urban Experience Magazine which was started with my father, February 2015 with the purpose of sharing stories of others and focusing on the areas of arts and culture, community, spirituality, health, and public affairs. This magazine makes me proud because we tell stories just like they are. We have no hidden agendas; we are informational and factual. We educate people in the state of Iowa and beyond. The voices of people who look like me are often silenced, and I wanted to create a space where we could tell our stories and the stories of others. I am excited to share This is not my Show podcast show. My gift is speaking, and I love the art of conversation. This show was created to highlight leaders, community members, and others as their stories are shared in their own words. Iowa Juneteenth Observance is excited to offer events throughout the year. Events will take place February – November 2024. Our mission is to provide education
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