׉?4ׁB!בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://qTXD7UM7pJtobpopfnj1pdparNqrib417qmOdoxRNAsH` ׉ 7cassandra://UOWtDK2gSuJylcT9U-xjQ4AnQFIuPLJ1VGkb3MuZaT0aZ`S׉ 7cassandra://3tCySk6JWo4RqxY7ptnr-zbeX1L2Ka-VbYCry8jZp7g$`̵׉ 7cassandra://UOzwy6NTADLqowh-dzY4gKXyXSl0oYmV-kvcSLeMPKI("͠`,B[!fxY'ט{u׈CNSvu׈E`,B[!fxY'׉E;Michelle Obama Speaks Out on attack of capitol: “I Hurt for Our Country” Arts & Music Des Moines will be the first community delivering Artist INC outside M-AAA’s region. January 2021 ISSUE Inside Improve Your Health! Stay Woke Disparities in employment among African American/Black carceral citizens of Iowa ׉ 7cassandra://3tCySk6JWo4RqxY7ptnr-zbeX1L2Ka-VbYCry8jZp7g$`̵`,B[!fxY'`,B[!fxY'{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://rP31cEX6x_trCp2yio9PkHEY5XaC9cXVYf57y-mdX9I` ׉ 7cassandra://N3F-RfoO8xI9hb6lzkMRcQHt55EginJEl4iBpBjbJ9IQ `S׉ 7cassandra://8dO38Hq6P1AlCJW2RyVmc_T8LUg6T7DOHX38SOXHcrI"p`̵׉ 7cassandra://Rr_DJzYcP1FP4O__cDeFzQJzf5yFqhwrnZEOM2xMup8{$͠`,B[!fxY'ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://Ufm2jSQwjx8DhOMeLSTASJNbr3dEWU-4k4s6YToFTes` ׉ 7cassandra://OzJ_lkZZxXv6PUuP9QjEBmb_Uhh3EgegQJLU-qbzzxkI `S׉ 7cassandra://JE8PwENbVi14FXFTcRSYVyt4iqDX85_vMk--YAGzcSQ`̵׉ 7cassandra://8rmGsbCDXJ4AUjtOqA4rJN3EVrktcq7ONj4pRYdq3uY,͠`,B[!fxY'׉E2020 Election Winn ׉ 7cassandra://8dO38Hq6P1AlCJW2RyVmc_T8LUg6T7DOHX38SOXHcrI"p`̵`,B[!fxY'׉E3n ner Biden & Harris The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 3 ׉ 7cassandra://JE8PwENbVi14FXFTcRSYVyt4iqDX85_vMk--YAGzcSQ`̵`,B[!fxY'`,B[!fxY'{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://Ue898q7p9HovmhIQzAz_zgQAgIzJHlTQbGd4gLEbdyk+` ׉ 7cassandra://1PKFg973sSJgMsnNvn4f_hF_5kPgKLMxAlE2ndOR0aQb"`S׉ 7cassandra://O6VtCcD8HL4E0WNVlz5b8N8y7fM9_htL01kMmnygYyA`̵׉ 7cassandra://pDRFpwNFnHFLs3-hkkTR5qpv1O0a8WOUVxYBvrR8a1Mogh͠`,B[!fxY'ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://EBII3mV6vkdBggR8yQutoCAoCXmd2IQNMocHiqr5db0` ׉ 7cassandra://WW3a4IModJqeltPkoziGZCt2ijzDPWQAKSSWMTY6CYM͈`S׉ 7cassandra://55oP_PuBT7UM7FD4MJavyAR2eEYOe-b0BGtgBFMmp00,`̵׉ 7cassandra://2fOmS-quJi3z-AoW8Cq6Y8V7lM3hTUrI0PlAyQCWgQM1d͠`,C[!fxY'נ`,C[!fxY'G9ׁH mailto:contactdsmurban@gmail.comׁ ׁ Јנ`,C[!fxY'܁o9ׁHhttp://dsmurban.orgׁ ׁ Јנ`,C[!fxY'ZG 9ׁHmailto:dsmurbannews@gmail.comׁ ׁ Јנ`,C[!fxY'&G9ׁHmailto:joindsmurban@gmail.comׁ ׁ Ј׉EWRITERS & STAFF Editor-In-Chief Dwana Bradley Contributors Copy Editor Virgina Smith Creative Director Ash Easley Donnetta Austin Debra Carr Terence Haynes Angela Jackson Celeste Lawson Gary Lawson Bert Moody Lori Young DeMarcus Hamilton 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 Join our email club at: joindsmurban@gmail.com 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 Submit your news to: dsmurbannews@gmail.com 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 Become a Outlet for Urban: contactdsmurban@gmail.com ׉ 7cassandra://O6VtCcD8HL4E0WNVlz5b8N8y7fM9_htL01kMmnygYyA`̵`,B[!fxY'׉EFeatures 09 12 Season of Transition 14 Resolve to improve your health ARTIST INC 18 25 Stay Woke Rich Fresh: Homelessnes to fast becoming one of the fastest growing brands in Hollywood 32 37 Why Does Trouble Last Always? Disparities in employment among African American/Black carceral citizens in Iowa Bring it Home 39 Michelle Obama Speaks Out on attack of capitol: “I Hurt for Our Country” The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 5 What’s Inside? ׉ 7cassandra://55oP_PuBT7UM7FD4MJavyAR2eEYOe-b0BGtgBFMmp00,`̵`,B[!fxY'Á`,B[!fxY'{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://D8tDIHHg6iHDA2gR7UU7aAvSdi8loabzHG-8t1OCdPMB` ׉ 7cassandra://CdMxRnCU9NK8-BJek8IeCDl-iMZYAZUhttuTRifK9q4kx`S׉ 7cassandra://fj5YPPqKzBR4guFWs5R2I9KJhE0llTyjK4nuhfXK4Mg!`̵׉ 7cassandra://2D_chApXjsOZBOFXcoYqI_AJUO4U_4_ZP785ImWg148(͠`,C[!fxY'ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://eOo4cg_-Xs0TEi0qV6bD4yXTEwTw7SkYr9u0FBaWCuQJ` ׉ 7cassandra://O8dAIez1mWTtycc0TpvzJtqHLMeR-ZG-Ef7haxRhXicͪ`S׉ 7cassandra://TgWx5EHG0cF3gdWae-WepCYAdC2hEeXAxWsY_ZwEF7Y,`̵׉ 7cassandra://nZqEJeg26bdckt-nzV3p7hJ3bJzwpwCHBoyrt2KK1hsk$͠`,C[!fxY'׉E׉ 7cassandra://fj5YPPqKzBR4guFWs5R2I9KJhE0llTyjK4nuhfXK4Mg!`̵`,B[!fxY'׉EFinding Happiness in the New Year! You made it! Happy 2021! Now we must get use to saying 2021. I always wondered why do we say Happy New Year? For many the new year might not start off so happy. In 2020 we’ve been though a pandemic, lost some amazing people, elected a new administration, lost our jobs, got sick, and some of our family due to a virus didn’t make it to bring 2021 in with us, so it doesn’t seem so happy. I spent most of December 2020 doing some soul searching. I reached within myself and asked this question, “what needs improvement”, How can I be a better me? And I asked God to reveal somethings about me. Well, the saying goes be careful what you ask for. I came to term with my flaws, my petty ways and being extremely hard on people. I realized my past has created a hardness to me that I’ve carried into my current reality and I want to soften up. I’ve built walls, I’ve shut people out, and I’ve kept my mouth shut in my personal spaces. I had to think about why walls. Why was I covering myself up from others? Honestly, I needed to protect myself from hurt and pain. When walls are created, and no one can knock them down then I don’t have to worry about being hurt. I thought about Dr. Phil as he would say, “how’s that working for you”? Well in so many words it’s not. Now what, well it’s starts with knocking down the walls. Allowing myself to be me and let people in my pace. There is no need in being hard on myself for where I’m at. I’ve accepted it. I’m just grateful I’m seeing things about myself at 43 and not 63. I’m not going to start making any type of resolutions. I’m just going to say, I will keep working on me. I will keep reflecting on all I do. I’m excited about 2021. There is so much in store for me and I know there is so much in store for you. After doing my reflection of the last year, I am happy, happy to be me and happy to share my life with others. Take the time in 2021 to applaud yourself, you made it, your still here, and your best is going to be right now in the year 2021! Happy Ne arDwana Bradley w Ye arDwana Bradley Editor in Chief The Urban Experience Magazine The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 7 ׉ 7cassandra://TgWx5EHG0cF3gdWae-WepCYAdC2hEeXAxWsY_ZwEF7Y,`̵`,B[!fxY'Ł`,B[!fxY'ā{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://QPbrz-aUa0WVZ1gJ3_sc95lsmTrelQVB8QsWXNRsFA0n` ׉ 7cassandra://4EqJzgrrbvzNSLaJ6hc6OdIxNe3Ltd9-YxpwVxmKgsA͎`S׉ 7cassandra://FJ3cgIlzBk9ub1yVwv1PWDAadfnVs8t2m6EEnD47hUQ(u`̵׉ 7cassandra://kZY4Yg_JbWyt7qJI486fnrDzjlSNlvrWsKcbWsKES5Qbd͠`,C[!fxY'ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://GUVMpRXqQ71OA9eAsRiIRXzrhnVGrtxhJD5iumLwkiI>t` ׉ 7cassandra://f0_KCtHJsd4mqkIp6FbSEc2wEuigLM0ILC9e3zFtyqUw`S׉ 7cassandra://swi8KELk7s-SyN3vMkkw57sr3VxI_LzIWJQtpdDKO_Q&u`̵׉ 7cassandra://LZodNZzpyl_krPsh5Gbfko5siFGBshzoB3QH9guutDk+8L͠`,C[!fxY'נ`,C[!fxY( Z9ׁHhttp://maaa.orgׁ ׁ Јנ`,C[!fxY(Vg9ׁHhttp://artistinc.arׁ ׁ Јנ`,C[!fxY(`X9ׁH http://www.artistincdesmoines.arׁ ׁ Ј׉EDes Moines Art Festival is Seeking Professional Artists & Individual Creatives in the Des Moines Area to Apply In October, The Des Moines Arts Festival® (DMAF) announced their partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance to unveil the professional development program Artist INC in Central Iowa (Artist INC Des Moines). Artist INC Des Moines begins on March 8, 2021, to empower local artists. Stephen King , Executive Director indicated that “This launch marks a formalized step toward reaching DMAF’s vision to strengthen a vibrant and creative community.” Artist INC Des Moines seeks to provide individual creatives with entrepreneurial training skills and focuses on strategic development unique to the arts sector. Artist INC Des Moines is a professional development opportunity for artists working in all creative disciplines including music, visual arts, performing arts, writing, dance and film. The program provides cutting-edge training seminars that address the specific daily business needs and challenges artists of all disciplines face. Artist INC Des Moines is limited to 25 participants for 2021. Participants will be selected through a competitive application process, followed by a selection by a panel of community professionals and peers. The program is open to artists (not enrolled in a degree-seeking program) of any creative discipline regardless of the point they are in their careers. Along with the 25 participants, six local artists serve as Artist Peer Facilitators. Identifying individual artists and creative entrepreneurs as one of the cornerstones of Des Moines’ arts and cultural ecosystem, the assessment identified “Strengthening the Creative Economy by developing the talent and skillset of creative entrepreneurs and artists as one of the four cultural priorities.” Artist INC is a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA), a nonprofit regional arts organization that strengthens and supports artists, cultural organizations, and communities throughout a six-state region (Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas) and beyond. Des Moines will be the first community delivering Artist INC outside M-AAA’s region. ׉ 7cassandra://FJ3cgIlzBk9ub1yVwv1PWDAadfnVs8t2m6EEnD47hUQ(u`̵`,B[!fxY'׉EArtist INC Des Moines represents a significant step toward advancing DMAF’s top strategic priorities to serve as a cross-discipline artist service organization, acting as a nexus for capacity building within the creative community, coordinating relevant programming, administering communication, and ensuring equity and inclusion using arts as a catalyst. More information and details about the program can be found at www.artistincdesmoines.art. Reminder - Applications open from November 16, 2020 through January 15, 2021. Artist INC history: Since 2009, Artist INC has filled a demand for professional development for artists. In 2012, at the invitation of the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, Artist INC became one of a select group of programs across the country as part of its “Marketplace Empowerment for Artists” program. While the community of practice for artist professional development has grown, Artist INC remains the only stand-alone program in the Midwest region dedicated exclusively to artist entrepreneur training. In 2013, Artist INC became a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance, acquiring the program fully in 2017. For more information, go to artistinc.art. About Mid-America Arts Alliance: Mid-America Arts Alliance strengthens and supports artists, cultural organizations, and communities throughout the information, go to maaa.org. region and beyond. For more Advertise with Urban Ask about our digital campaigns! The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 9 ׉ 7cassandra://swi8KELk7s-SyN3vMkkw57sr3VxI_LzIWJQtpdDKO_Q&u`̵`,B[!fxY'ǁ`,B[!fxY'Ɓ{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://j0pSWlpV51GnnE-bsGxPUCEjAdQMotRxM7QkesaCVWI` ׉ 7cassandra://-OQ4o1RHREQRFE85Xf3VBEcZklAc1snHl5zA3FCujb8\a`S׉ 7cassandra://iLWF7cupIQdVJwBRGOVnXhjxJGw-QcoDEHuQ1MXUYBQ`̵׉ 7cassandra://4-QrRdPwlOjBW2DF0Zx60r24SM-lX8_mcb6aRguR00s7w͠`,C[!fxY(ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://MCWSzXV3ShWY1wm8EMuojrqZAPCb-L65zRB4PD9jCUEo` ׉ 7cassandra://EYvWR0U0fyscCZB0xzfsqktOVyHXxbuI59Tw12GfBeg͐]`S׉ 7cassandra://rLKj3d1wiedw7teOeOY91guP07lIkW75ipVixxFiZe81`̵׉ 7cassandra://AZ34IS2HXzXjUaXbY_-jLvFZYtE2jq43NbwKGy0o5uA͠`,D[!fxY(נ`,D[!fxY( z(9ׁHhttp://StopHIVIowa.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E DISCOVER REAL POSSIBILITIES IN IOWA AARP is in Iowa creating real, meaningful change. We're proud to help all our communities become the best they can be. Like providing family caregivers with tips to take care of loved ones, helping to make our communities more livable and hosting fun, informative events all across the state. If you don't think Real Possibilities when you think AARP, then you don't know “aarp". Get to know us at aarp.org/ia. ---/aarpiowa -@aarpiowa Real Possibilities is a trademark of AARP. ׉ 7cassandra://iLWF7cupIQdVJwBRGOVnXhjxJGw-QcoDEHuQ1MXUYBQ`̵`,B[!fxY'׉ELET’S STOP HIV TOGETHER Picture a world without HIV stigma. Wecan allstop HIVstigma by speaking up against stigmatizing words or actions. WHEN WE SPEAK UP AGAINST HIV STIGMA, WE CAN STOP HIV TOGETHER. StopHIVIowa.org ׉ 7cassandra://rLKj3d1wiedw7teOeOY91guP07lIkW75ipVixxFiZe81`̵`,B[!fxY'Ɂ`,B[!fxY'ȁ{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://7wgNO5hsfJ1lTK_n7B2yE2sO7Z6lKSiY1nwb2tXzOUsq` ׉ 7cassandra://Uw-zGF4g7trlVzaWSCJUoDm3tOCEyFtOcADsmf_cLTAl`S׉ 7cassandra://MXB4sP3zYfkiTIkZ7IPW_4jVVy16JtmWVaQiNp2CD5w#K`̵׉ 7cassandra://bkgwZAAz_STLtf_0vaJheG1XpYo35-NiIsOcCN3lSFMͶH͠`,D[!fxY( ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://dWcRo3IChlr7YiogTJv9ZrQsvYbZZhgi4ynkipzyrz8X` ׉ 7cassandra://6lT4ztqPl8RXVn1pJmfX4INcG5xa0bSlLoqdtarOkRE͊Z`S׉ 7cassandra://VDUKGvcXnppS4XOKhumF-6p1YIjyEpUpXhvT47imG6M)`̵׉ 7cassandra://6w0po8JVqQuRgedGClIuyD1_dvE7sVI6Yccng4lom9wH,͠`,D[!fxY( נ`,D[!fxY( N[9ׁHhttp://gmail.comׁ ׁ Ј׉EFA SEASON OF TRANSITION by Donnetta Austin Definition: A transition is the process or period of changing from one state or condition to another. A transition has transpired for many of us. We have had to face it and encounter it with an uphill battle of circumstances or situations rather you were prepared, ready for it to happen or not. How have you dealt with this? In the beginning do you have questions such as is this reality or am I dreaming? Are you in denial of the truth of the matter? Maybe you’re feeling emotional, numb, or frustrated. When unexpected life events take place and out of our control it can cause stress, anxiety, depression , brokenness, and overtake you to the point of illness. In the Bible there are many scriptures that help me remember who God said He is; John 8:58 Jesus said to them “truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was, I am”. John 11:25 Jesus said to her,”I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him “Christ” who strengthens me. The upcoming new year may possibly have some new challenges that will test our faith. Although we will push through with the Armor of God and conquer as warriors knowing we are not alone. By: Author Donnetta Austin Email: be.encouragedbyone@ gmail.com Amazon book “Never Retire God” Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him “Christ” who strengthens me. ׉ 7cassandra://MXB4sP3zYfkiTIkZ7IPW_4jVVy16JtmWVaQiNp2CD5w#K`̵`,B[!fxY'׉E• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash • Ensure that you refill and take all of your medications as prescribed • Stay home as much as possible The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 13 ׉ 7cassandra://VDUKGvcXnppS4XOKhumF-6p1YIjyEpUpXhvT47imG6M)`̵`,B[!fxY'ˁ`,B[!fxY'ʁ{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://GCFZ3YjOCwW5GkwsXIEDvIZVh02ELUe_SzPUY4keHno*` ׉ 7cassandra://NV9f-cbTi-7Kc-B5PNaLk6W4gbE9TYUq69ty6yZd9uQf`S׉ 7cassandra://jk70xeMR8rOTUezImU_PLSsRah8MqaZJC5V0_D14dSs%h`̵׉ 7cassandra://YhVW7Ehdy1ymcJcivcMfhYTq4lMAfv8mZuxjBNYu5Hoͼxl͠`,D[!fxY(ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://ti60PLlF2KOwUiWOOlTBWsegxI-jWynTqT4zn0-I_F0l` ׉ 7cassandra://gHl-XyiJqO9sgk-fi3qWhiIymWr7xF9u3iAi7wINEpk͎,`S׉ 7cassandra://MX90HOENcBHt8VEVooUjIVz0S4BPCk0jjLaqI4-gErk)5`̵׉ 7cassandra://XahAlA2eGWDZLqGCgT2Rg0QkJz1BqcfQSOU_gdCUSxc̞ͮ͠`,D[!fxY(נ`,D[!fxY(H9ׁH http://www.doubleupfoodbucks.orgׁ ׁ Јנ`,D[!fxY(z49ׁHhttp://idph.iowa.gov/inn/pickׁ ׁ Јנ`,D[!fxY(>9ׁHhttp://www.choosemyplate.govׁ ׁ Ј׉EHEALTH Resolve to Improve Your Health! By Ella Cummings and Dana Danley MD For the New Year 2021, make a resolution to improve your health! One simple and easy way is to add fruits and vegetables to your diet. Just by adding three or more fruits and vegetables per day, you can help lower your risk of stroke and heart disease. With healthier choices, you can reduce your risk of cancer and obesity as well as improve blood pressure and diabetes. ׉ 7cassandra://jk70xeMR8rOTUezImU_PLSsRah8MqaZJC5V0_D14dSs%h`̵`,B[!fxY'׉E lHow can we add more fruits and vegetables to our diet? Start with ones you already like and are easy to prepare. up bananas to your morning cereal or toast. Crunchy fresh vegetables and fruits are favorites of kids, especially with homemade dip. Yogurt with cinnamon or herbs is an easy healthy choice. Keep a bowl of fruit on your kitchen table so it is easy to reach for healthy snacks. Apples and grapes are favorite kid snacks. For dinner, steaming green beans or carrots in the microwave make a quick side dish. The USDA has a lot of good tips and ideas on how to create a healthier eating style. more about these, visit www.choosemyplate.gov. The Iowa Department of Public Health has a “Pick a Better Snack” program which highlights different vegetables and fruits with recipes, activities, and resources. These resources can be located at idph.iowa.gov/inn/pick-a-better-snack. Eating healthy foods is crucial for good health. However, fruits and vegetables are often more expensive. Start with buying what is in season and then look for frozen or canned foods. Choose canned produce packed in water or juice instead of syrup. When choosing canned vegetables, look for low sodium or no sodium options. Shopping for a variety of fresh, canned and frozen items is the most economical and they all have similar nutritional value. Skip the potatoes and choose other vegetables with different benefits and less carbohydrates. Try something new! To help stretch your dollars, Double Up Food Bucks is a great program. It is free for anyone with a SNAP EBT card. For every dollar spent on fruits and vegetables at participating locations, you receive a dollar food buck voucher to purchase more fruits and vegetables. These can be spent on the same day or saved for another visit or location. In Polk County, there are over 15 retailers who participate in the program. Visit www.doubleupfoodbucks.org for more information. Another resource that can help with your budget is “Spend Smart. Eat Smart.” It is an online tool and downloadable app with ideas, recipes, and cooking videos. Learn how to make meal plans for the week to include fruits and vegetables in each meal. There are lots of recipes to try for meals, snacks, and even healthy desserts! Eating more fruits and vegetables is a great way to improve your health. Imagine taking less medications for blood pressure and diabetes or reducing your risk of weight problems or cancer. Start by adding your favorite fruit or vegetable to one meal and then add to each meal. Try new recipes! “Pick a Better Snack” and “Spend Smart. Eat Smart.” can help you with ideas. The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 15 ׉ 7cassandra://MX90HOENcBHt8VEVooUjIVz0S4BPCk0jjLaqI4-gErk)5`̵`,B[!fxY'́`,B[!fxY'́{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://yk0IMlMFXmSdgO6LQTezmhfQ7jMWlk1zXBP0dj4oeXI!V` ׉ 7cassandra://QKVyeAFjmq4LA26-V7TH_XzPl6__UX90z8F_Mbq-jX4m`S׉ 7cassandra://jHdAYp5EPXjFU3S45PqjumOk_1q9AQ2Bd9yhxo_qbDM#`̵׉ 7cassandra://z62mfoiphC7y9iWaYKuSA9XpAVWnCA47byVkaN0_5uY!j͠`,D[!fxY(ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://OzpIbnnyPycJ0B7NWMIMhauGPhILW7gYHCUI7RRsx5I` ׉ 7cassandra://PQWXAcgnAD9ZFVt_DWODEQaDa1pUKNWZCJvEdyC5fwË́`S׉ 7cassandra://fpIdqUcLc5wYs4xYz1V9Jp1pieEZtD89bFNxc0YMSwU.`̵׉ 7cassandra://vwlEnY_xvMpDgWk85c4Fnid-fzaLw4n6XCXp2g2iq0cT͠`,D[!fxY(׉E{Your goal is to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables. With all the colors and textures, eating fruits and vegetables can be easy and fun. Broadlawns Medical Center is here to help you improve your health in the New Year. Take the first step by scheduling your annual physical exam at a Broadlawns Clinic. All insurances are accepted. • Broadlawns Primary Care Clinic (515) 282-CARE • Broadlawns Family Health Center (515) 282-2334 • Broadlawns Cityville Clinic (515) 282-CITY • Broadlawns East University Clinic (515) 282-EAST Ella grew up in North Des Moines and is currently a student at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. She is interested in medicine and global health. Dr. Danley is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician at the Broadlawns Family Health Center. Both are advocates of lifestyle changes and opportunities in our community to improve patient health. ׉ 7cassandra://jHdAYp5EPXjFU3S45PqjumOk_1q9AQ2Bd9yhxo_qbDM#`̵`,B[!fxY'׉E׉ 7cassandra://fpIdqUcLc5wYs4xYz1V9Jp1pieEZtD89bFNxc0YMSwU.`̵`,B[!fxY'ρ`,B[!fxY'΁{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://0JGspzDplqvLVlNH6xOB8XU5tq4LH2qTyrhrhurh7EUr` ׉ 7cassandra://9Fya6OIrUnNaiU7CzSo4FSqZuLT5UmIyc9zOoRpkekAa`S׉ 7cassandra://FpgU5abV-tERbpTZX-5FtQFyADv1XHGCT1ukzA9LpsE``̵׉ 7cassandra://8HjSNu_HUxJaeBUwRqjQX1CmWa0Dq8KyLERBTKfGYNIi$͠`,D[!fxY(ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://LPHOJX4cjui712VNPPYiwoloHMtSMAleOC8hLLG9XGY` ׉ 7cassandra://0KAVX9vzkBV8H6AuI5BnZMM-6it45_MUrn8Ft5P1FUI͕I`S׉ 7cassandra://-V_4VltSkq0H-T8Cr9hf9x7PlZuQilw5-NVdbJd8qNA!`̵׉ 7cassandra://_rtKfNlXTo2nHhJB4Rwsal3UhtwIIcVktrGSczV7i5E2\ ͠`,D[!fxY(נ`,D[!fxY(cH9ׁHhttp://T.Muׁ ׁ Ј׉Eby Demarcus Hamilton I hate using the word “woke,” especially when it’s the only term that fits. It’s become a trigger word that plucks at the heartstrings of socially engaged Americans as we live out our current state of cancel culture. If you’ve been detached from modern day hippolitics, “woke” refers to one’s cultural and intellectual awareness of things that exist beyond the surface. Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing actor and comedian T. Murph, co-star of the new hit TV series Woke on Hulu. T.Murph plays Clovis in the show; a hip, smooth talking opportunist that lives in San Francisco with his two roommates, Gunther and Keef. Keef, played by Lamorne Morris, is a professional cartoonist on the verge of landing a major commercial deal. Gunther is a carefree, functional drug user with shaggy hair that enjoys any stimulant on the menu—a modern day hippie, if you will. Keef realizes that blacks are willingly and unwillingly being exploited and sets out to discover to what extent these things occur. He began to post signs all over the city that read “Black People For Rent,” with a tear-away phone number at the bottom. With no clue as to who was behind the citywide campaign message that would trigger anyone with a scintilla of American historical context, the true feelings of passersby began to emerge. Keef and his roommates had front row seats. This makes his white roommate, Gunther, uncomfortable, as he begins to see racist remarks and actions exhibited by other white people in response to the ad. One day while out on the city, he spots a white guy staring at the flyer with interest that says to him, “well, if we can’t buy them anymore, at least we can rent them.” At this point, Gunther gets fed up and tears down the sign. ׉ 7cassandra://FpgU5abV-tERbpTZX-5FtQFyADv1XHGCT1ukzA9LpsE``̵`,B[!fxY'׉E He returns home and begs his roommate, Keef, to stop the experiment, because it’s causing society’s real sentiments toward blacks to surface; and he simply doesn’t want to deal with it. Like any politically conscious social media user, I occasionally find myself in a spirited back and forth with an opposing perspective, when time permits. A couple weeks back, while scrolling through my phone, I came across a jarring post on Facebook, and I had the time. I was familiar with the author of the post’s viewpoints, which are so far-right, she’d make Mitch McConnell question his party loyalty. The topic was government funded diversity training. A commenter insisted that racism and discrimination were no longer an issue in America, because they had been legislated out of existence. In fact, the general consensus among the author and select commenters was that government shouldn’t play a role in diversity training at all, and that it’s actually incumbent upon the individuals with inherent racial discrimination toward historically marginalized groups to reach out and invite them over for dinner to help fix their bias. You can laugh, it’s fine. The fact is, this idea of blacks being undeserving, unequal to and lesser than was an idea perpetuated by courtrooms, legislatures and police stations—the government. So it’s incumbent upon governmental bodies—federal, state and municipal—to do their part to help turn the tide. Blacks are not looking for handouts nor trying to play victim. But to insist that the spirit of racism has been fumigated from the institution of government, corporate business and education simply because laws were passed, or you haven’t seen anyone be called a racial slur since the Regan administration, demonstrates an obscene sense of ignorance. This misguided logic that America is just fine, or has already been fixed, underscores the many factions of America that have yet to wake up. How is it in the age of unprecedented access to information, people still deduce that kneeling for the flag at the beginning of a football game is intended to disrespect the military, when the idea of kneeling for the flag actually came from a member of the military? Is it the melatonin? Not to mention the Kansas City Chiefs that got booed in Week 1 of the NFL when they locked arms with the Houston Texans in solidarity against racial injustice. What is there to disagree with? Add pink breast cancer patches on all the jerseys and helmets, and there wouldn’t be a single opposing jeer heard in the entire state! Meanwhile, JJ Watt said after the game that he didn’t even know what the booing was about. He obviously overslept. The inconvenient truth is we can come together in a public sports forum to discuss how much we hate breast cancer—no problem. The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 19 ׉ 7cassandra://-V_4VltSkq0H-T8Cr9hf9x7PlZuQilw5-NVdbJd8qNA!`̵`,B[!fxY'с`,B[!fxY'Ё{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://H36qQe3GRTjyvAssr_pbKdRwrt6KqApTKAXRJNwmfIs` ׉ 7cassandra://0H2a8xsdZ8Ho7AX2QijqS1yUDshIH28IhfnjVHxBvxo͓`S׉ 7cassandra://dEYuuGLlcuy4NUtsuRKG4CObNCGj-KehH9ZRpDEuZ-w*R`̵׉ 7cassandra://q5DOeUBqnuB6is3xj-emM8ZzD8-X83PWybqlb9-y1RME͠`,G[!fxY(ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://jUKwKYwzCmlV19JLpCnja91rmfLRUHZTm70BirNxr_Y}` ׉ 7cassandra://2jeci7Rk1kBkXx0ifq1dWzu2s2r_oBOJqLia92R-bN0j`S׉ 7cassandra://qCGO2x4CtKuDQzqHxUZhXAsgHCGiM3-OUPyLCsJUF88%`̵׉ 7cassandra://iaq5Xrwk46LDZDbVT6ApPA1UYFVw0jHKuDS_VPuQ9nk_(͠`,G[!fxY(נ`,G[!fxY( q&"9ׁHhttp://nd.dmacc.eduׁ ׁ Јנ`,G[!fxY(' 9ׁHhttp://DMACC.eduׁ ׁ Јנ`,G[!fxY(\n9ׁHhttp://DMACC.eduׁ ׁ Ј׉E But come together in a silent arm lock before a football game to underscore our collective hatred of bigotry and injustice? I guess not. Some may find it uncomfortable just reading about it. But the fact is, these biases still exist; regardless of one’s perspective But what I can’t figure out is, what is it about mainstream America that dismisses the negative experiences of its peers as a non-issue? I don’t have to be shot with a firearm or robbed at gunpoint to know that gun violence is a problem. But then again, I get it. Some people can’t possibly believe anything is real unless they experience it, personally. Even the president tried to downplay the coronavirus; but perhaps he’s “woke” now since he actually has it. However, this same president used the first debate to tap dances around denouncing white supremacy, and instead deflected to a different movement that lacks half the historically oppressive impact of white supremacy after telling them to “stand back and stand by” (whatever that means). And another thing: why don’t we ever see “All Lives Matter” chants in response to “Blue Lives Matter?” Hmm. But you know what— maybe we’ve just come too far too fast. Maybe we as a society are asking too much of ourselves. Screw it. Never mind the Black Lives Matter signs; never mind equity and inclusion of minorities to corporate boards; scrap giving special attention to underfunded schools that lack the proper resources to succeed simply because of the neighborhood they’re in. Let’s just start back at the beginning and collectively acknowledge the fact that racial bias toward minorities exists! And until the essence and the implicit nature of this social, legal and economic bias is challenged on all corners of society, the spirit of this epidemic will continue to rage among us in perpetuity. CLASSES BEGIN JANUARY 19, 2021 Put 2020 behind you and look forward to a better tomorrow that includes a new and better YOU. Make a fresh start this spring at DMACC to secure a brighter future. Want to make more money, have more opportunities for a promotion, or match a job with your personal interests? If so, now is the time to apply to DMACC. Here are just a few of the reasons to start your journey at DMACC… ›› FREE TUTORING, advising and more ›› Most AFFORDABLE TUITION and fees in the state ›› More than 200 DEGREES, PROGRAM AND SHORT-TERM CERTIFICATES to choose from. ›› FLEXIBLE ONLINE schedule. ›› FACULTY who CARE ABOUT YOUR SUCCESS ›› A WELCOMING, FRIENDLY environment. Call to make an appointment with a DMACC career advisor or go online a DMACC.edu. DMACC.edu | 800-362-2127 | Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services. The full DMACC Nondiscrimination policy is available online at nd.dmacc.edu. 13532-12-20-A Fresh THIS Start Enroll Today Spring! ׉ 7cassandra://dEYuuGLlcuy4NUtsuRKG4CObNCGj-KehH9ZRpDEuZ-w*R`̵`,B[!fxY'׉EThe URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 21 ׉ 7cassandra://qCGO2x4CtKuDQzqHxUZhXAsgHCGiM3-OUPyLCsJUF88%`̵`,B[!fxY'Ӂ`,B[!fxY'ҁ{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://zhg4c55XMXcsR3Ftj5tQCRn4D7DmhZcedxqbKOKhnhU` ׉ 7cassandra://N08ljHFyPRVyXp3RbBr7fY1uz39sWFuHDeQkMY6ffskS`S׉ 7cassandra://TMT40S1oVX6JFDhQvDROiu6UUDNpW5rtIrB-ga_BFpI`̵׉ 7cassandra://LzuTSyX9QBFEhLi84Tackfypsve3R33D5YxD3c1_KE0 `(͠`,G[!fxY(!ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://MDyLFpv7g9al6BbMo18wC-8Qbap82x1YRvmx_DJdfpM` ׉ 7cassandra://p08smEF8zEfp1nR1BSduuOH1QPHssclzkEVh1Kko9NQ9`S׉ 7cassandra://HRDw8JJUeXjjIhN6xlpZDnj90DKArEu6zAMotXX9EYk+`̵׉ 7cassandra://ZtvVa7Uv9EkwF-A3O4ORpNbNZKst4EE38FkbDeNto4k2;0͠`,G[!fxY("׉E)Please Acknowle By Terence Haynes Sister when I enter the room can you acknowledge me? I’m not trying to talk to you but I’m talking to you. You smile till we make I contact then you look away or you look like you feel away, and your smile disappears. I’m already unsure and sometimes insecure about everyone else in the room but when I see my sister, my sister that alone feeling goes away. Maybe because a womb like yours made room for me and brought me into this world. Maybe because your earthy beauty reminds me of the creation, I am formed by Gods hand from the dust of the earth or maybe just maybe your softness being a lady and gentleness in spirit makes my spirit be at ease whatever it is please don’t look at me like everyone else, please don’t set my feelings to the back of the shelf. ׉ 7cassandra://TMT40S1oVX6JFDhQvDROiu6UUDNpW5rtIrB-ga_BFpI`̵`,B[!fxY'׉Ege edge Me! I’m your brother, your father, your uncle, your cousin, your nephew, your neighbor, your husband, your lover, your protector. I was built for you. If nothing else...if I can’t be any of those things to you, can you at least acknowledge me as human? I have emotions. I have feelings. I hurt. I bleed. I have a heart. Please sister when I walk into a room can your smile not disappear? When we may eye contact can you not look away? Please sister if I speak, can you speak back? I exist, I’m real, I’m here. Please Sister when I enter the room can you acknowledge me The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 23 ׉ 7cassandra://HRDw8JJUeXjjIhN6xlpZDnj90DKArEu6zAMotXX9EYk+`̵`,B[!fxY'Ձ`,B[!fxY'ԁ{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://2_lXTmDEtF8RG68VZFGufL42RblwN4Xls-ZFcJUSvo4@` ׉ 7cassandra://b0_07rAvxaFAPg-mAfGfulIEuDc0PU-d4ILnDrTfirc^,`S׉ 7cassandra://O7JROmekEM-8EH1z7ybPQFKOdhnG0yxsqCSgP7CNPxM"c`̵׉ 7cassandra://9F_94ffm4CiWiqg7I-K3ETP4bxOTfbSbboXEuGIs-bE,͠`,G[!fxY($ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://Vay0n02YWkNYlhWnpDV5U40waUwx3UxR8J32LF1fuyY` ׉ 7cassandra://YOnpn0xiBhSj4kTca2r8YHY4yQyCDBfSnouOb5mIKR8v`S׉ 7cassandra://LUozKd6Fa0qK9wqBfKCY-6yT41_HeW5TLe8QLOb5W20)`̵׉ 7cassandra://we1eR-ziiBw4mzn9yJWV7XoappMh4XpoJbojVCs8YBA:@͠`,G[!fxY(%׉EAdvertise with Made Easley Photographer: Legacy IV Productions Model: Ebonni Nicole Looking for a new way to Advertise? We make the creative process Easy. ׉ 7cassandra://O7JROmekEM-8EH1z7ybPQFKOdhnG0yxsqCSgP7CNPxM"c`̵`,B[!fxY'׉ERich Fresh: Homelessnes to fast becoming one of the fastest growing brands in Hollywood. By Demarcus Hamilton Almost two years away from experiencing Covid-19 living on a park bench in Los Angeles, Rich Fresh went from homelessness, to becoming one of the fastest growing brands in Hollywood. Now, Fresh speaks on dressing celebrities, building a fashion brand on Instagram, and what fashion means to his mental “You’ll eventually become unsuccessful if you have unsuccessful business practices.” The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 25 ׉ 7cassandra://LUozKd6Fa0qK9wqBfKCY-6yT41_HeW5TLe8QLOb5W20)`̵`,B[!fxY'ׁ`,B[!fxY'ց{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://mwKDm9r0NiCdSwaXfhlULv1QQtlLWGdRqjx91IO8TW0o` ׉ 7cassandra://E_PlnIN1oLGjVoFt4hMrY-h8EkxWxukvm_Y49ItQnZoͫ`S׉ 7cassandra://7UaCjN2Uw4jqdGSzT1OCQGsJ1w-RPvY8NaG0_pfW3JU'`̵׉ 7cassandra://d141HOjumQV0L_FpqgMcsOQRf79exW3ZfmNTxTbqH2cE6͠`,H[!fxY('ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://xI8T7eI3z7TaZjq8o_7mh6FaPFGPjElPFEjcTHGInL0(` ׉ 7cassandra://YW8M0ka7FiO1mCaN1d4g-cTx4vXd9AYfN4yCHtjzkAc͍~`S׉ 7cassandra://0OuLO-fVYwzIn1s-ZMg4axfATXjSxHrJw1Y_WZCEpas(`̵׉ 7cassandra://L3BdhjT-nppCNhQg4UsBme8Th1BvkS4GYaCfaFfUUpUR$͠`,H[!fxY((׉E health. The fashion universe in many ways parallels the United States Congress. Big name dinosaurs hang around for decades, finding new ways to reinvent themselves and reestablish their dominance, season after season. The often-intended result is stymieing the opportunity for newcomers with fresh ideas to push the country forward; because it could possibly render them obsolete. The same can be said for fashion. Big box monikers dictate trends, sometimes to the detriment of cultural progress. But on occasion, a young congressional hopeful, or in this case, a tailor, rises to catapult the industry forward. Politicians use policy; Rich Fresh uses neoprene. And he has a growing list of high-profile constituents that he measures himself. How’d you get connected with Metro Boomin? I did The Weeknd’s ‘Heartless’ music video. So all the clothes we’ve been seeing him in all these images—the red jacket, the black shirt with the black tie and the black pants; the blue jacket—all that is my concept. Abel (The Weeknd) hits me one night and says, “Yo, bro, I got an idea for this music video.” He was inspired by the movie Casino, so I sat down and I watched Casino that night, and I came up with these concepts. Then he said, “Metro is in the video with me; you need to do Metro’s shit, too!” So I’m like, aight. So what Metro is wearing in the ‘Heartless’ video, that’s all my work. He’s a super cool dude, and he liked the experience. And he was like, “Bro, I need to do more of this!” And we went for it. In 2019 alone, the Rich Fresh aesthetic smote some of Hollywood’s biggest stars: comedian Kevin Hart (and his wife and kids!), gospel songwriter Kirk Franklin, 3x NBA champions Dwayne Wade and Draymond Green, screenwriter Lena Waithe, and R&B singer John Legend, just to name a few. Oh, and the suits worn by NBA big man Demarcus Cousins and singing sensation Miguel at their respective weddings? That’s him, too! I caught up with Rich Fresh, fresh (straight) off a red eye flight from Los Angeles into Atlanta, where he just finished a fitting with super producer Metro Boomin’. With his tape measure still wrapped around his neck, wearing pieces from his own collection, Fresh recounted how his last decade of struggle has teed him up for his eminent success of the next. “I used to dress terrible. I figured out that girls would pay more attention to me if I dressed better; so I got really into fashion.” How’d you get started? I taught myself how to sew when I was 13; I got really into fashion when I was a young kid. I used to dress terrible. I figured out that girls would pay more attention to me if I dressed better; so I got really into fashion. I taught myself how to sew, because I figured that at some point, I would be able to control my aesthetic. By the time I got to high school, I was like one of the best-dressed kids in school. It was like a real experience because I’m like dating all these girls, I’m super popular, and I’m still like, nerdy. I’m still in all these small classes, but I’m dating the basketball player’s girl, I’m dating the football player’s girl. This is crazy! All of this off of fashion. ׉ 7cassandra://7UaCjN2Uw4jqdGSzT1OCQGsJ1w-RPvY8NaG0_pfW3JU'`̵`,B[!fxY'׉EMy confidence is like through the roof. And I was doing it for other kids at my school. Like, they would pay me money to come shopping with me, just to see how I do what I do. And so I realized at a young age that the fashion s*** was real. So I committed myself to figuring it out. It took a long time, I’ve been at it since I was 19 years old [39 now]; but I feel like I just became financially successful last year. I was really a starving artist; I was homeless, actually. Like straight up homeless—shelter homeless—not couch surfing homeless. It was the ugly homeless. Sleeping on park benches, like, that type of s***. And this was just in 2018. So a whole lot of s*** has happened in a very short period of time. God is great. Many people couldn’t survive the park bench piece of dream chasing. What made you stick to it that long without finding $300 and catching a flight back to your hometown of Memphis? When I was coming up, I used to read a lot of books. They were like ‘you can do anything’ type books. I was reading self-help books. It just so happened that I was gonna need that s**t one day. I also watched Pursuit of Happiness probably 25 fu****g times. And in Pursuit of Happiness, Will Smith’s character was with his kid. So, I’m one of those people that do contrasts and comparisons. Like, I don’t like getting on roller coasters. But if I see a 10-year-old girl get on the roller coaster and she had fun, I have to get on it, because the contrast is too stark. If she can do it, there’s no reason why I can’t. So when I watched Will Smith’s character going through homelessness with his son, in my brain, that just tells me like ‘who are you to complain? ’ This ni**a’s sitting here with his son, your daughter’s in New York; you don’t have to have this experience with your daughter. So this is your experience. “You’ll eventually become unsuccessful if you have unsuccessful business practices.” The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 27 ׉ 7cassandra://0OuLO-fVYwzIn1s-ZMg4axfATXjSxHrJw1Y_WZCEpas(`̵`,B[!fxY'ف`,B[!fxY'؁{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://ybVaURGvdqJ1yo9Qfc72amLVPBFRmtddK1knFtZbeWsJ ` ׉ 7cassandra://hpAQDk3vjop2_8NXNX73066cFlTagd9AglE7A8lgBHwͤ `S׉ 7cassandra://j6XXpoyS9n5ZTb1pv8RnSU2ZwP6uSYdWugzzQcomLXc,`̵׉ 7cassandra://LW8q1WpgVWJO1YNVoohVAiZv37ZFwr1Ic6kVLHYkWbEͻ͠`,H[!fxY(*ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://i6WakUmV29QR5IjF6CR48eaK6wHXuEBu6vuUhMdiJcsR`` ׉ 7cassandra://TW6fSVkghB0wHfd5BfD9Lr4m99HHh2IsB8HnQsVb3D0ͺi`S׉ 7cassandra://FQ_RVG_z5P5cM_zhoKzo9aMZ9CwQEkuW71rdRlRvUO4,L`̵׉ 7cassandra://1uQjtvku32s9FrWtWgpr7mlpbPWlgl10qH74yBAVYIIM< ͠`,H[!fxY(+׉E How did your bad business practices force you into homelessness? I’m not one of those people that spend too much time on the ‘woe is me,’ because that insinuates that someone else did it to you. I’m real good at self-assessing and identifying where I f***ed up. So when I was homeless, at first I was mad because it was a client who f***ed me. That’s the physical reason why I got homeless, that’s the reason why it happened. But what action did I take to cause my money to be gone that forced me into being homeless? I trusted a client, I fronted him the money, he f***ed me. Boom! But the real reason was my business practices were off. You’ll eventually become unsuccessful if you have unsuccessful business practices. You might get lucky every now and then and it’ll hit, but eventually you’ll be unsuccessful. I was playing Russian roulette with my business, and eventually it caught up to me. The first two months, I was not a happy person. I reached out to a bunch of friends to see if I could sleep on the couch, and nobody would let me stay on their couch. And it’s like, we was justkickin’ it! I hollered at friends that I knew had money just to see if they’ll let me borrow a little bit to stretch out for a couple weeks. No one would f**k with me. The client still hadn’t paid me, and he owed me like $15,000. I’m waiting on this dude to give me a check for $15,000, I put all my money in his order and I delivered it to him. And I’m still waiting on buddy to give me this $15,000 This is for you [I told myself]. You have to go through this. This is necessary for your growth. The only person that can get you out of this is you; and you need to know that. You’re never going to get that money from your client; you’re never going to get any money from your friends;you’re never going to get none of them to give you a couch to sleep on. That’s not how it’s supposed to go down. You got to get through this the hard way so you can climb out of it yourself, and know that you are a god. So, I just took the $20 I had and kept flipping it until I was able to hire people. Before I realized it, I had built a luxury brand while I was homeless with $20 in my pocket. (he ordered 6 suites). But I spent two months, chasing a ghost. I realized that’s what I was doing; I was chasing something that’s dead. It’s like why am I trying to resuscitate something that’s dead. I had to realize nobody could get me out of the situation. I saw this happening though, just like Will Smith’s character. He didn’t like it, but he had to go through it until he could craft a better reality. I was f***ed up. I mean I wasn’t on drugs or nothing; I was just broke! But while I was broke, I would just fantasize about all the money I was going to get, the Maserati I was going to get, the house I was going to buy, the clients I would work with. I could see it so vivid that I could feel it. You have to be exact with ׉ 7cassandra://j6XXpoyS9n5ZTb1pv8RnSU2ZwP6uSYdWugzzQcomLXc,`̵`,B[!fxY'׉E what you want, or else you won’t get anything. But I put out what I wanted, and it finally caught up with me. “…I bet on myself” How were you able to build a business with just $20 in your pocket? The way my business operates, I do custom; I don’t spend any money until the money is made. So I have to get at least half of the order amount up front. So I could have $20 in my pocket and sell $2000 in suits. I don’t have to sell a physical thing. In San Diego, I was selling custom suits before I even made any for myself. I didn’t even have anything to show anybody. I just knew how to talk. And when I would make a little bit of money, I would take half of that and make some more stuff to reinvest in myself; because I needed something for the ‘Gram. No matter what I put up on Instagram, if it’s dope, it could facilitate another sale. I would put up a pair of pants on the ‘Gram, and someone would hit me up to order a suit. I did that while in the shelter. I didn’t just keep the money; I bet on myself. And it didn’t hit all the time, but it hit enough; and I was able to get out of my situation. What does fashion mean to your mental health? I was one of those emo[tional] kids, because I didn’t think life was worth living; I was such a f*****g reject and it sucked. I hated life. I was a cool dude and couldn’t figure out why does life suck so bad. Then I figured out why and I figured out how to fix it; and it kept me from f*****g killing myself—or killing somebody. Fashion did that. It kept me from settling in life. It made me overly confident. It turned an insecure 13 year old into an over confident 15 year old. And I had braces! But I was still confident as f*** because I was fresh. At that point, I realized I didn’t want to be an architect. I wanted to do something that moves me; and the only thing that moves me in life is fashion. Fresh said classmates used to call him Ralph and Tommy, because those were the brands he always wore. But despite his focus on fashion, he could move the needle on the grade charts, too. Fresh managed to land a 33 on the ACT, resulting in several scholarship offers landmark universities. However, seeing that most college students went on to work boring corporate jobs, he wasn’t interested. After trying 2 semesters at University of Memphis, Fresh dropped out and decided to become a tailor. He started by doing alterations for dry cleaners, before opening up his own shop with the same service. Who’s your favorite celebrity you’ve worked with? I can’t say just one, because I have a lot. But Lena Waithe is definitely one of my favorite f****ng humans beings on earth… I’m really having fun with The Weeknd; he’s just a cool dude to work with. I’ve really been working with the whole camp; Belly is who I first started doing the custom s**t with… Demarcus cousins is definitely one of my favorite basketball players to work with because he’s so animated. I get excited about my stuff, but it’s good when a client has the same level of excitement. I recently did Lionel Richie, and he’s so much fun; he’s so into the process. John Legend, Kevin Hart— like I got some legendary clients that are just so dope. If they’re on my [Instagram] page, I love them. Who do you want to make ‘Fresh’? The Obamas, Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres, Tyler Perry, Will Packer, I wish I would have worked with Nipsey. I met up with him twice. I was doing a fitting for YG when they were shooting the video for “Last Time That I Checc’d”. The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 29 ׉ 7cassandra://FQ_RVG_z5P5cM_zhoKzo9aMZ9CwQEkuW71rdRlRvUO4,L`̵`,B[!fxY'ہ`,B[!fxY'ځ{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://FPRDURRr2XsvHAbxbo-w0ZJnsBHas_lW4ytkbtPQCs8` ׉ 7cassandra://Peh42ff2l4yzcIGFlpieClxQzF8cF2cr5fRjOxSiIDY͞ `S׉ 7cassandra://zVMzf9e3rQ4l0VXL2UrelDD0yT_SeeBWY0la471eU8Q0`̵׉ 7cassandra://IO777yz0vYtiycNhk54ePCxWktgbwmdmaJ1hq5Hw3wI͠`,H[!fxY(-ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://91FprMmn4zJVDfjh6QPf7olUPMlK3ThyhxYJ_h-isB814` ׉ 7cassandra://s-vS_PpHKenx3MBrESeNgb5cpGoXtF-WwC91XxB8OL4͈J`S׉ 7cassandra://QgNWonpBJ5qpRuDY9NtuN0LibxtXx7LmJU4OTrUAKxQ'3`̵׉ 7cassandra://qtv6VCsqOQ3H6fDj5zhRDuko0UnV8t48uCqZTx4nliYS,͠`,H[!fxY(.׉E7And I got to see Nipsey in work mode; and his work mode was so intense, it was so on. I got to talk to him afterward, and I saw him again at the airport with Lauren. I took my daughter over to meet him and to meet Lauren, and I told him I had Victory Lap on repeat. Khaled also! “They let Gucci use Dapper Dan as a distraction, and made ni**as forget that they [Gucci] just spit in all of our faces” Anybody you don’t care to work with? All the people that fell for the Gucci bullshit. Because a lot of these guys that I really wanted to work with—Rick Ross, Guwop [Gucci Man La Flare]—I really wanted to work with these ni**as but they fell for the Gucci shit so tough. They let Gucci use Dapper Dan as a distraction, and made ni**as forget that they [Gucci] just spit in all of our faces, and put big “G’s” on big black people and prominent figures. So a lot of these dudes I’d rather not. Right now, I wouldn’t do a suit for Ross, I wouldn’t do a suit for Floyd [Mayweather]; I wouldn’t do a suit for Gucci. I have no interest in working with people that have recently had “G’s” all over them. (Fresh subsequently decided to work with Rick Ross) Are there any brands you feel are overhyped? Supreme. It’s a fucking word on a t-shirt. It’s a machine. It’s called the resale machine. Back in the day, if you diluted your brand the way Supreme does, you wouldn’t have a brand no more; but Supreme came at the right time. I’ll tell you a brand that doesn’t get the love that it should get is Fear of God. I think they design the most beautiful f****ng shoe. Like the tennis shoes, his attention to detail; Jerry goes another place when he does his s**t. His s**t’s so clean. “[Virgil Abloh] can write your name on the side of a tennis shoe with a permanent marker, and triple the value of the shoe.” ׉ 7cassandra://zVMzf9e3rQ4l0VXL2UrelDD0yT_SeeBWY0la471eU8Q0`̵`,B[!fxY'׉EGWhat other brands out there are you liking? I love off-white. I think he got the appropriate amount of love; I don’t think he’s overhyped at all. I think Virgil’s a f****ng genius. He’s a straight up alchemist. He can write your name on the side of a tennis shoe with a permanent marker, and triple the value of the shoe. That’s alchemy. He’s a legend, and a lot of what he’s done has compelled me to do what I’m doing, because he’s the first black in a lot of rooms. What’s one thing every one should have in their closet? A blue suit with no belt loops. If you don’t have belt loops, you don’t have to worry about finding a belt to go with your shoes. That goes for women, too. There’s generally no environment that you can’t wear a blue suit, even if you take a white t-shirt and some low-pro tennis shoes; or a slipper; or a loafer; or some Chelsea boots; or a hard bottom or a heel. A blue suit will take you to any environment. What makes your suits so special? Every single one of my clients gets to meet me. They don’t get to meet Tom Ford. It’s made specifically to fit your body. I’m going to come and take a couple dozen The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 31 measurements, and I’m going to make something in Los Angeles that’s going to be unlike anything anyone’s ever seen; and you can’t get it anywhere else. I know Tom Ford suits open at like $3600. And there’s no way in hell my suits are going to be cheaper than his sh*t! Demand the price you want and you have to stick to your fu***ng guns! (Rich Fresh’s suits start at $4200, so his clientele is definitely the ‘checking-a-bag’ type.) What do you want people to know about Rich Fresh? Rich Fresh is here forever. This thing that came out of nowhere, it came up for a reason. This is not some little cool, trendy sh*t. In 100 years, you’re going to still have remnants of Rich Fresh. This is the new establishment. I want people to know that the idea of impossible is foolish. If you look at a drug dealer that turns into a billionaire before he’s 50 years old [Jay-Z]—you can do whatever the f**k you ׉ 7cassandra://QgNWonpBJ5qpRuDY9NtuN0LibxtXx7LmJU4OTrUAKxQ'3`̵`,B[!fxY'݁`,B[!fxY'܁{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://1F5npsNI-WwHp1CKZmzagS1mKZoXroTQUtJ8iv7qb7o` ׉ 7cassandra://Zge06nZ5F_eXXW77LErJ8QCqw5ZvEKjqcuhAXa5r_-8͊`S׉ 7cassandra://WV8kZssAsT_FKFqU3r_MNEtMcNj439coW8QsDoOcArU%`̵׉ 7cassandra://qAVp9Up6wlmJ13zSzKBP7TUKZBDMD4d9i4dHAzyJUcw<͠`,H[!fxY(0ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://blqlbYHG2Pz50-dMW3M6AXdw2Ebto0ATHIiw-JKrxHA, ` ׉ 7cassandra://f5Awlf5-XKLPUe8m7YtY8jgWw75wuIB0J7xE9lAnx2sʹ`S׉ 7cassandra://0SwYIQxsVS3wQhTTHz2FLBlcqDC0iRePRZyZod_UxWY&Y`̵׉ 7cassandra://s34UM9fuIZqWuZFk0mtFM_45BZT0L9WLvdsYAU8GfAID$͠`,H[!fxY(1׉E Why Does Trouble Last Always? Disparities in employment among African American/Black carceral citizens in Iowa by Negus S. Rudison-Imhotep (Doctoral Candidate). The ethnic and racial diversity of the United States of America residents is one of the country’s distinctive strengths; however, African Americans/Blacks and other non-white workers face sweeping racial injustices in educational accomplishment, employment, and revenue. Supplemental workforce strategies are needed to counter centuries of deliberate, intrinsically racist strategies and advance racial equity in academic attainment, engagement, and income. As long as these discrepancies endure, the nation is demeaning its economic effectiveness. Ethics workforce diversity is a crucial driver of America’s economic development as it is one of the most critical clairvoyants of business sales revenue, customer numbers, and productivity. In all, Iowa is a microcosm of our nation. In the United States, 72% of the federal inmates are African American and Latinx, and these same groups disproportionately represent the state and county incarceration population (Hernandez, Muhammad, & Thompson, 2015; Nellis, 2016). African Americans constitute roughly 13% of the national inhabitants while representing a disproportionate percentage of incarcerated. Many non-violent African American/Black carceral citizens will be released from detention, and many have few or no resources. Mass incarceration is conceivably the greatest unyielding and intensified public catastrophe in the postindustrial United States. Historical evidence conveys an analogy of the permanence of racism and implicit biases in the past and present American society. Non-violent African American carceral citizens contend with enormous obstacles through the reentry process, and obtaining gainful employment is strategic to reducing recidivism (Griffith & Young, 2017; Heiner, 2016; Hurt, 2017; Jeffers, 2017; Mahaffey et al., 2018; Miller, & Alexander, 2015; Nellis, 2016; Scott, 2016; Skinner-Osei, & Stepteau-Watson, 2018). Structural racism and employment discrimination promulgate a reentry passageway designed to construct negative consequences. Fifty-five years have elapsed since Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was ratified to make prerequisites to contest sanctioned discrimination in African Americans (Blessett, & Littleton, 2017; Bridges, 2018; Flake, 2015). Many non-violent African American carceral citizens continue to struggle with employment discrimination. Debate exists about proposed amendments to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that strive for stability with employers’ safety fears and carceral citizens’ need for employment. ׉ 7cassandra://WV8kZssAsT_FKFqU3r_MNEtMcNj439coW8QsDoOcArU%`̵`,B[!fxY'׉E[The collateral consequences of possessing a record in the United States disclose that roughly 48,000 legal sanctions are set in place that obstructs the socioeconomic and political progression for carceral citizens (Martin, Huffman, Koon-Witt, & Brame, 2019; Miller, & Stuart, 2017; Nellis, 2016). Hiring nonviolent African American carceral citizens may aid in the support and reconciliation of Black families. Designing best practice approaches that recognize individual needs, programs can also customize services in common needs among population groups (Christian, Seamster, & Ray, 2019; Formon, Schmidt, & Henderson, 2018; Martin, Huffman, Koons-Witt, & Brame, 2019). The United States has the largest prison population worldwide, while the Bureau of Justice Statistics reveals that 95% of those detained will be released. Non-violent African American carceral citizens grapple with immense interference through the reentry process, and attaining lucrative employment is strategic to reducing recidivism (De Giorgi, 2017; Egleton, Banigo, McLeod, & Vakalahi, 2016; Flake, 2015; Heiner, 2016; Leung, 2018; Skinner-Osei, & Stepteau-Watson, 2018). If the problem persists of being prohibited from lucrative employment, countless non-violent African American carceral citizens resort to criminal methods of existence that accelerate their return to prison. African Americans/Blacks often face some of the poorest employment probabilities and contempt on the job; this event may draw a parallel with the condition of being a carceral citizen and being an African American (Narayan, 2017; Williams, Wilson, & Bergeson, 2019). Reaching employment that supplies fair wages is an imperative element in reducing recidivism. Empirical evidence-based data for employment discrimination conveys that businesses are generally less likely to employ African Americans because of the high rate of crime and incarceration (Curry, 2017). Carceral non-violent African Americans must deal with the historical effects of structural racism, which continues to weigh on contemporary obstructions of reentry (Truesdale-Moore, 2017). Anti-Black economic injustice ubiquity remains a crucial component that reveals how racial capitalism affects and eventually overwhelms African American families through the ostracism of African Americans/Blacks from the system of wealth formation (Narayan, 2017; Ogungbure, 2019; Onwuachi-Willig, 2019). Discriminatory Black Codes and Jim Crow laws developed to retain African people’s oppression, certifying that the heritage of the Negro Act of 1740 and connected regulations remained existent during the country for more than two hundred years (Alderman, Inwood, & Tyner, 2018). Therefore, the history of African labor in the United States is imperative not only to comprehend American xenophobia but also to “any dialogue of the nation’s production, politics, and the prospect of labor in today’s global economy.” American workforces agonizing from similar economic and political circumstances are considered “buyers instead of manufacturer, as a user instead of a provider, and as problems instead of blessings.” Reminding us that due to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Africans were brought to the Americas “specifically, for their labor” and that their descendants remain “the most subjugated and unsatisfactory element of the modern capitalist workforce (Brown & Allen, 2018; Owens, 2015). $31,992 is the median income in the African American household in Iowa in 2018. The median income of their white counterparts was $59,955. In 2018 the poverty rate for African Americans in Iowa was 30.7 percent. The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 33 ׉ 7cassandra://0SwYIQxsVS3wQhTTHz2FLBlcqDC0iRePRZyZod_UxWY&Y`̵`,B[!fxY'߁`,B[!fxY'ށ{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://Tx9zeQUlaTWrB3xx9UZKoZ5yg8_rAZSSJmYC4s_W2fsL` ׉ 7cassandra://v6cBvQvR_-dd2-HXNj9xZQ_o1UR5APRbpPrEQE-96H0͇`S׉ 7cassandra://T614ytQ8avlu11XTu4ClAG1Q0GQ2_b6SCRugSMbIYEU%V`̵׉ 7cassandra://pYf49wZ81SibvBvKUYw9R9zBo1dVoXYA564yaVq-Hm0ͭ ͠`,H[!fxY(3ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://cKXURIS1c7tAZoNzgfQJcebHySrpY29e5Mxs38XhE-Uk` ׉ 7cassandra://c0GU_dzyap-vOu3WKKO0IlYd-iZ1_qOj7-9xmwIIApgQY`S׉ 7cassandra://E7gJLYs_lo-Z_QlNZRQF33bPIImDnR91K4bkokCCBaI&`̵׉ 7cassandra://h7ZRID4haV9XF5Bnq_9mGzeVYJyEmIUemIbFHkFIqHY͚$͠`,H[!fxY(4׉E The corresponding rate for Iowa is 11.2 percent. $31,001 was the median income of African American families in Iowa in 2018. The median income of white families in Iowa was $76,068. The per capita money income for African Americans was $15,759. The corresponding per capita money income for the state was $31,559. The percentage of families with children under 18 below the poverty level in 2018 was 37.8 percent. The corresponding rate for Iowa is 11.8 percent (Iowa Data Center, 2020). Employment is a critical element in reducing recidivism for carceral citizens (De Giorgi, 2017; Hurt, 2017; Scott, 2016). Yet, the label felon’s stigmatization is quite often intensified for nonviolent African American carceral citizens seeking to be integrated into the labor market (Baur, Hall, Daniels, Buckley, & Anderson, 2018; Martin, Huffman, KoonsWitt, Brame, 2019). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019) official report, there are more than 6 million job openings in the United States for which the concerned organizations cannot find suitable candidates. Thus, the discrimination which is being meted out to the nonviolent African American carceral citizens in the United States regarding employment becomes a cause of concern when the statistics offered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics are taken into consideration. It is germane to note that many of these carceral citizens have adequate educational and vocational qualifications, making them qualified to work in these positions. Yet, they are not being offered these positions because of stigmatization and discrimination, which is currently adversely affecting the prospects and the nation’s growth under discussion (Wohl, 2017). Stakeholders, business leaders, officials, and other senior management firms feel this issue as a significant concern. The United States leads the world in incarcerating its populace (Erzen, Gould, & Lewen, 2019; Wilson, Alamuddin, & Cooper, 2019). The more significant part of these individuals requires employments to continue their means of support following release from incarceration (Formon, Schmidt, & Henderson, 2018). Specific theories and laws on discrimination must be applied in the appropriate management of carceral citizens (Ali, Lyons, & Ryan, 2017). It isn’t easy to decide to hire carceral citizens in many organizations that require the input of stakeholders (Jaiyeoba, 2015). There are differing views regarding hiring carceral citizens in general. There is a desperate need to increase investigation regarding the family structure in African American families crushed by deprivation and additional systematic prerequisites. The family’s function can be better comprehended in African American men and women (Williams, Wilson, & Bergeson, 2019). gO dIGITAL aDVERTISE WITH ׉ 7cassandra://T614ytQ8avlu11XTu4ClAG1Q0GQ2_b6SCRugSMbIYEU%V`̵`,B[!fxY'׉EThe URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 35 ׉ 7cassandra://E7gJLYs_lo-Z_QlNZRQF33bPIImDnR91K4bkokCCBaI&`̵`,B[!fxY'`,B[!fxY'{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://nTSpbdusY8ZP0hiONn1_zr1d4ZYKYpOwHQ030Mjt7Cgwc` ׉ 7cassandra://n-enIARpzIba9AYMGvtaDJcaNfANKeNe6KTCKH3Yq1w͓d`S׉ 7cassandra://jmQ7eivfKDgXUBak90D2LMee79NZxNiHGEZ2a-CmMpY)r`̵׉ 7cassandra://rmrNqI7EhSkXKBy-rRoKiiQWm7nQc4nHrRxuOJuPGygͯ ͠`,H[!fxY(6ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://5mlmXLSPNxBG3P_eYu14sUUbDAxO_i1o04xIStzk-r4:` ׉ 7cassandra://vO58YdPHYfh0cIfp-bD7tAvQny4fw2d_Jj1DTqptieg͞`S׉ 7cassandra://TZTqnUNHE-Y99tB2Rws4mXf6ls8oMK_GktXE5TGSZLQ(`̵׉ 7cassandra://U19dI2QK_79B418TPHTXr5lBO2vstELmncHoAqaZm4Q=@͠`,H[!fxY(7נ`,H[!fxY(;s9ׁHhttps://businessrecord.com/ׁ ׁ Ј׉E by Gary Lawson As we journey into the new year (2021), I have looked back over time and reminisced some of the major community undertakings my daughter, Celeste, has conceived and/or piloted in a quiet manner, that has had or will have a vital impact on Iowans. She possesses many of the qualities of a servant leader, meaning in this case that she places a high priority on servant leadership and volunteering her service for the betterment of others. For example, some of you may be familiar with her work as a board member of the Connect Foundation, such as when she played a key role in: 1) developing the nomination criteria used by the Iowa African American Hall of Fame; and 2) serving on the committee that transferred the Iowa African American Hall of Fame to the custody of officials at Iowa State University.She also served as the inaugural Vice Chair of Education for the Iowa Juneteenth Observance. Two of her greatest accomplishments included the development of statewide student essay contests and adult education awards for the Iowa Juneteenth Observance. More recently, you may have read the November/December 2020 issue of the Urban Experience Magazine that documents Celeste’s involvement with conducting an exclusive interview with Dr. Jack Thomas, President of Central State University. Central State University is part of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities family, each known as an HBCU. What you may not know is that Celeste initiated outreach efforts to Central State University for the purpose of conducting a ‘virtual’ student recruitment activity with Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS). Why? Although the results of her research made a strong case for improved assistance for minority students desiring to pursue higher education, it is being done for the purpose of providing all junior and senior high school students, regardless of race/ethnicity/gender, with opportunities for receiving an academic scholarship, an athletic scholarship or possibly financial assistance in pursuit of a college education…which is extremely important during these times of the COVID-19 pandemic. To collaboratively coordinate this project, Celeste also reached out to Dwana Bradley, the present Chair of the School Board. Chairperson Bradley has graciously connected Celeste with the appropriate staff at Des Moines Public Schools. In essence, Celeste is ‘volunteering’ her time as the Project Coordinator for the first student recruitment activity between Central State University and Des Moines Public Schools. The future could be very promising for participating students and their families…only time and commitment will tell. Let’s bring it on home now… The aforementioned are just a couple of the projects for which Celeste was/is affiliated. ׉ 7cassandra://jmQ7eivfKDgXUBak90D2LMee79NZxNiHGEZ2a-CmMpY)r`̵`,B[!fxY'׉ElDuring January of 2019, Celeste…as did I… struggled with her mother’s passing from metastatic breast cancer. Since then, and because of my health, she has committed to caring for me during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Even so, I am amazed by how she has also committed to serving others as it relates to healthcare. First, she began researching metastatic breast cancer. She discovered that in Iowa, African Americans, and those living in rural areas, had the highest death rates associated with metastatic breast cancer. By December of 2019, Celeste was contacting and meeting with state elected officials concerning what was being done to educate Iowans on the disproportionate metastatic breast cancer death rates experienced by African American and rural Iowans. Although Celeste discovered that there were some impressive efforts by Iowa organizations to address breast cancer, such as making October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she was unable to find a similar specific campaign centered on metastatic breast cancer in Iowa and, as a result, set her sights on addressing the disproportionate deaths in the African American and rural communities associated with metastatic breast cancer. Celeste met with Iowa African American State Representatives, who are members of the Black Caucus, as early as March of 2020, in order to find a solution. The result was a plan for initially introducing a resolution within the House of Representatives and move the metastatic breast cancer issue forward. However, the legislative session experienced an early adjournment due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and Celeste was advised by Black Caucus members to pursue a proclamation by the Governor until such time work could resume in the Iowa legislature. The proclamation was a joint effort constructed by members of the Iowa Legislative Black Caucus and Celeste. The proclamation designated October 13, 2020, as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. That was a great contribution considering there had been no such focus in the past, however, Celeste believed that the nature and devastating impact of metastatic breast cancer should be addressed annually, and one way to do that was to work with the organization that had championed October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month as a partner in the process. Celeste thankfully accepted the proclamation route until such time further work could be done on an official annual Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day in October that reflects the alarming impact on the African American and rural communities. In addition…and demonstrating how difficult it has been to educate the general public about the first Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day proclamation… press releases were sent to major media outlets in Des Moines and we were aware of only one media source that ran an article…and that was the Des Moines Business Record (https://businessrecord.com/ Content/Default/All-Latest-News/ Article/Proclamation-claims-Oct13-2020-as-Metastatic-BreastCancer-Awareness-Day-inIowa/-3/248/91541). Recently, I was informed that work is currently ongoing by legislators to make Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day an annual observance. May their work as legislators incorporate Celeste’s historic contribution, thereby serving as an ‘encouragement’ for other members of the general public to get involved, just as Celeste has advocated for building a better government…of the people…by the people…and for the people… In closing, I am unabashedly… and hopefully understandably… proud of her relentless, selfless, and volunteered dedication to community service. …We are home now. The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 37 ׉ 7cassandra://TZTqnUNHE-Y99tB2Rws4mXf6ls8oMK_GktXE5TGSZLQ(`̵`,B[!fxY'`,B[!fxY'{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://TVqyY4Nz1K_RyFXmM33SmbPXZigpQlp2y8zmBgjEtzgݡ` ׉ 7cassandra://rFyW0Wk5Fs95qov6SwmhA0XynwCBrp4RJVrTm59pnrQ͋{`S׉ 7cassandra://lLZlqGH1974BT8-_dmkrTe5mYmCr0s_RmztNS1dypAI/`̵׉ 7cassandra://lrGVatloSmNhP5-dxX1P54mJeXxLUrgB7brPh73owZU ͠`,H[!fxY(:ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://_rZVNwmDVp4NnmAssLLIBV9gR7qS--v1QctWtlrtcFo` ׉ 7cassandra://X8aK6hpQ69ZFcg-0GiWb8qkurpLls6YTG05bsjoyVTs͓`S׉ 7cassandra://ykH8FGMw6_skyKWWW-RItmsOKA8OwYl9wT0v9R2308w'`̵׉ 7cassandra://amdXy8QOK9PRs-vgHolL8QRKrL2-ffhS1Up3b8tZXsgK(͠`,H[!fxY(<׉ELMichelle Obama Speaks Out on Violence at Capitol: “I Hurt for Our Country ׉ 7cassandra://lLZlqGH1974BT8-_dmkrTe5mYmCr0s_RmztNS1dypAI/`̵`,B[!fxY'׉E The former first lady offered a lengthy message on Thursday, referencing the mass riots that took place in Washington, D.C., and looking onward to the future of the United States. Michelle Obama released a statement on Thursday referencing the violent riots that took place this week at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., where massive groups of pro-Trump supporters tried to thwart a peaceful transfer of power to incoming President-elect Joe Biden. As lawmakers sheltered in place and evacuated, the rioters smashed windows, broke into offices and displayed angry behavior that resulted in 1,100 District of Columbia National Guard members being mobilized to support law enforcement and control the escalating scene. Trump, who had, earlier on Wednesday, egged on the rioters, eventually urged them to “go home” and the Capitol was secured. In her message, the former first lady said that her heart “had fallen harder and faster than I can remember.” She wrote that she watched the events unfold, “a gang — organized, violent, and mad they’d lost an election — laid siege to the United States Capitol.” “I hurt for our country,” Obama said, adding that she wishes she had the solutions to make things better. “Now is the time for those who voted for this president to see the reality of what they’ve supported — and publicly and forcefully rebuke him and the actions of that mob.” The riots left Obama with many questions about the future of the country, particularly its security, extremism and propaganda. She focused on one question that she has been unable to shake: “What if these rioters had looked like the folks who go to Ebenezer Baptist Church [the Atlanta church where Martin Luther King Jr. was pastor, and currently led by Senator-elect Raphael Warnock] every Sunday? What would have been different?” Toward the end of the statement, Obama commented on the work that now must be done to restore peace and repair what is broken, which she acknowledged is not the work of any one individual or political party. “It’s up to each of us to do our part,” she wrote. “To reach out. To listen. And to hold tight to the truth and values that have always led this country forward. Read Obama’s entire statement below. I woke up yesterday elated by the news of Reverend Raphael Warnock’s election victory. He’ll be Georgia’s first Black senator, and I was heartened by the idea that the Senior Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church—the home parish of Dr. King and a spiritual and organizational hub during the Civil Rights Movement—would be representing his state in the United States Senate. In just a few hours, though, my heart had fallen harder and faster than I can remember. Like all of you, I watched as a gang— organized, violent, and mad they’d lost an election—laid siege to the United States Capitol. They set up gallows. They proudly waved the traitorous flag of the Confederacy through the halls. The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 39 ׉ 7cassandra://ykH8FGMw6_skyKWWW-RItmsOKA8OwYl9wT0v9R2308w'`̵`,B[!fxY'`,B[!fxY'{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://ZqIgkR-vm10YVVIO9ZqJyk3epWPKd4l2cxWSe2FF9GQt` ׉ 7cassandra://YxvXECygRQyPfe6Tud4L-K1UubL7TeBk0iIp70bPg3sq`S׉ 7cassandra://4zkNkFLBTfMHKwOISbtWFNznMuOGDG7clY7mfb7lmDw `̵׉ 7cassandra://pJVt4WZGrXj-ovM-bUy9USQuuPvh-mgEFb4NtnjfEpc@(͠`,I[!fxY(>ט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://aFEL8ZpiguFUO3N7Cg5Ilmgvh8KaXPpYLt5HXSteXuM)` ׉ 7cassandra://kijUBU8QY8_qGK4AxR58JmODPKDTeHi71rWpvBIKSNg͖`S׉ 7cassandra://rxR_XzCTE6q_qDrVKKgV-G6rwFgdChOLV2enQrTgFko,`̵׉ 7cassandra://j0GdYSKEgz3SvJ7PrFcF6GU0Jv30-prYWdsEYyz998M+,͠`,I[!fxY(?׉E )They desecrated the center of American government. And once authorities finally gained control of the situation, these rioters and gang members were led out of the building not in handcuffs, but free to carry on with their days. The day was a fulfillment of the wishes of an infantile and unpatriotic president who can’t handle the truth of his own failures. And the wreckage lays at the feet of a party and media apparatus that gleefully cheered him on, knowing full well the possibility of consequences like these. It all left me with so many questions—questions about the future, questions about security, extremism, propaganda, and more. But there’s one question I just can’t shake: What if these rioters had looked like the folks who go to Ebenezer Baptist Church every Sunday? What would have been different? I think we all know the answer. This summer’s Black Lives Matter protests were an overwhelmingly peaceful movement—our nation’s largest demonstrations ever, bringing together people of every race and class and encouraging millions to re-examine their own assumptions and behavior. And yet, in city after city, day after day, we saw peaceful protestors met with brute force. We saw cracked skulls and mass arrests, law enforcement pepper spraying its way through a peaceful demonstration for a presidential photo op. And for those who call others unpatriotic for simply taking a knee in silent protest, for those who wonder why we need to be reminded that Black Lives Matter at all, yesterday made it painfully clear that certain Americans are, in fact, allowed to denigrate the flag and symbols of our nation. They’ve just got to look the right way. What do all those folks have to say now? Seeing the gulf between the responses to yesterday’s riot and this summer’s peaceful protests and the larger movement for racial justice is so painful. It hurts. And I cannot think about moving on or turning the page until we reckon with the reality of what we saw yesterday. True progress will be possible only once we acknowledge that this disconnect exists and take steps to repair it. And that also means coming to grips with the reality that millions voted for a man so obviously willing to burn our democracy down for his own ego. I hurt for our country. And I wish I had all the solutions to make things better. ׉ 7cassandra://4zkNkFLBTfMHKwOISbtWFNznMuOGDG7clY7mfb7lmDw `̵`,B[!fxY'׉E~I wish I had the confidence that people who know better will act like it for more than a news cycle or two. All I know is that now is a time for true patriotism. Now is the time for those who voted for this president to see the reality of what they’ve supported—and publicly and forcefully rebuke him and the actions of that mob. Now is the time for Silicon Valley companies to stop enabling this monstrous behavior—and go even further than they have already by permanently banning this man from their platforms and putting in place policies to prevent their technology from being used by the nation’s leaders to fuel insurrection. And if we have any hope of improving this nation, now is the time for swift and serious consequences for the failure of leadership that led to yesterday’s shame. Thankfully, even in the darkness, there are glimmers of hope. It’s something I imagine Reverend Warnock has preached about before—and I’m still heartened beyond belief that he’s headed to Washington. I’m glad his fellow Georgian, Jon Ossoff is, too, and that together they’ll help give control of Congress back to the only party that’s shown that it can put our democracy above its own shortterm political fortunes. I pray that every American, especially those who disagree with them, will give our new Congress, President-Elect Biden, and Vice-President-Elect Harris the chance to lead us in a better direction. But make no mistake: The work of putting America back together, of truly repairing what is broken, isn’t the work of any individual politician or political party. It’s up to each of us to do our part. To reach out. To listen. And to hold tight to the truth and values that have always led this country forward. It will be an uncomfortable, sometimes painful process. But if we enter into it with an honest and unwavering love of our country, then maybe we can finally start to heal. ׉ 7cassandra://rxR_XzCTE6q_qDrVKKgV-G6rwFgdChOLV2enQrTgFko,`̵`,B[!fxY'`,B[!fxY'{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://UfomzCjiFy8gNJp_bXVUsT8jWdgjcoOxsjyG4d7LlHo?;` ׉ 7cassandra://sZGrCdevsK0qfEkhaqifo494xGu5n-aN1g6m2AAJ5C0a`S׉ 7cassandra://wkknVCV5spgAJ-tGpxUabVlhXZdqe5OseSAFVhJuBtw"`̵׉ 7cassandra://CKacu_yD_sSQ6vvt6SPK8ZS2TNp_jKIPuMmIR94Yhdga[\͠`,I[!fxY(Aט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://J4UjbTyX3BPWCu5XKjRCPqDMrDjL5H5-iv6uumJBdBg` ׉ 7cassandra://v08Ojl8cbptiQeK5f4qVs1FV7XA8P4QQej5WddqUPOY_`S׉ 7cassandra://jsUMkJ8AEu4LDkR9SLwT0OQwP_b1hrAwqAJgL8TkTBo!`̵׉ 7cassandra://r2Zs0RmjM7t5QzSwd7jN7JDX_9hK2haDvB7zvbnofYQ$͠`,I[!fxY(Bנ`,I[!fxY(SG19ׁHhttps://www.facebook.com/DsmSoׁ ׁ Јנ`,I[!fxY(R9ׁH http://www.iowanebraskanaacp.orgׁ ׁ Јנ`,I[!fxY(Q,9ׁHhttps://www.naacpdesmoines.org/ׁ ׁ Јנ`,I[!fxY(P9ׁH$http://www.asheasley.myportfolio.comׁ ׁ Јנ`,I[!fxY(O̴9ׁHhttp://www.vanesther.comׁ ׁ Јנ`,I[!fxY(Nk9ׁHhttp://www.iowajuneteenth.comׁ ׁ Јנ`,I[!fxY(ME@9ׁH!https://www.facebook.com/ma.vs.73ׁ ׁ Јנ`,I[!fxY(LÁ29ׁH https://www.facebook.com/groups/ׁ ׁ Јנ`,I[!fxY(KW9ׁH)https://www.rootstobranchesgenealogy.com/ׁ ׁ Јנ`,I[!fxY(JՁ9ׁH,https://www.facebook.com/TranZitionsBeautySaׁ ׁ Јנ`,I[!fxY(Ibq9ׁH)https://hiphopeinc.wixsite.com/hiphopeincׁ ׁ Ј׉ELet’s Support our Black Owned Businesses Bottle and Bottega James and Bridget Neely Wine & Painting https://www.bottleandbottega.com/des-moines/ This year The Urban Experience Magazine celebrates 5 years. This isn’t a list of all the Black owned businesses in our city. The businesses listed below have been either featured or supported the Urban Experience Magazine in the last five year. Put your business card in the Urban Experience Magazine for $25 a month for the first year. Reach out to us at: contactdsmurban@gmail.com for more details. Urban City Magazine Howell Dixon Magazine/Podcast https://urbancitymag.co/ Ruby B’s Catering Bradley Family Restaurant 515) 681-4028 https://www.facebook.com/ rubybskitchen/ ׉ 7cassandra://wkknVCV5spgAJ-tGpxUabVlhXZdqe5OseSAFVhJuBtw"`̵`,B[!fxY'׉E/Hip Hope, Inc Bo James https://hiphopeinc.wixsite.com/hiphopeinc Tranzitions Salon & Beauty Bar Ty Daye & Courtney Beauty Salon https://www.facebook.com/TranZitionsBeautySalon/ Roots to Branches Ricki King https://www.rootstobranchesgenealogy.com/ Black Women 4 Healthy Living Brandi Miller Health https://www.facebook.com/groups/ bw4hl/?ref=share MAV Nu Direction Calvetta Berry https://www.facebook.com/ma.vs.73 Iowa Juneteenth Observance Dwana Bradley www.iowajuneteenth.com Van Esther Vanessa Lewis www.vanesther.com Made Easley Advertising Ash Easley www.asheasley.myportfolio.com NAACP Des Moines Branch Kameron Middlebrooks https://www.naacpdesmoines.org/ NAACP Iowa/Nebraska Branch Betty Andrews www.iowanebraskanaacp.org SoulFit Zakiya English https://www.facebook.com/DsmSo The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 43 ׉ 7cassandra://jsUMkJ8AEu4LDkR9SLwT0OQwP_b1hrAwqAJgL8TkTBo!`̵`,B[!fxY'`,B[!fxY'{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://jFNS2THsgeCQT0a-P9t4IGAOjzUghdW4-8uukS6aA-UM` ׉ 7cassandra://AoqFfjhpB8gQV8xXaieql5wNEWU7SY2y9kq_KC7LhH4f`S׉ 7cassandra://bxGHp4G02IC7AfaY9_wQzEO5XpQjPo1cWP3xMgdDxeo$`̵׉ 7cassandra://LHkH1ee29Rd5q1Xan2sRPecitwLma69cYq7zOZoaT_c0͠`,I[!fxY(Tנ`,I[!fxY(V"9ׁHhttp://www.broadlawns.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉EYOUR EAR, NOSE, & THROAT SPECIALISTS Adult & Pediatric Services for: • Hearing Screenings • Ear Tubes • Sinus Problems • Hearing Loss • Balance Problems • Ear Infections • Tonsil or Adenoid Infections • Ringing in Ear (Tinnitus) • Hearing Aid Evaluations • Recurrent Sore Throat • Allergies EAR, NOSE, & THROAT Matt Brown, MD • Bill Fanter, PA-C Aaron Hahn, AuD Courtney Thayer, AuD (515) 282-7750 1801 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA www.broadlawns.org ׉ 7cassandra://bxGHp4G02IC7AfaY9_wQzEO5XpQjPo1cWP3xMgdDxeo$`̵`,B[!fxY'׈E`,B[!fxY'`,B[!fxY'{,&January 2021 Urban Experience Magazine9Happy New Year! Check out the Urban Experience Magazine! `,7ŭJHl?