׉?4ׁB!בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://K9aPnQReFpw7vV3U11PDl633_PBgBt9PREnNFiA8mb4` ׉ 7cassandra://lSwCcMrHDpOvsLBkRVv2lRSvEei37fSfx4_S7BfcWy0e@`S׉ 7cassandra://UDFls2x_Lup--GdhaWvuy2wsdY9c9i_7SMIZEC99dsY&`̵׉ 7cassandra://QgGYhNY--Vzxbfcag3amfqzw8JTOj3JBb3WYM5oYDyA͠_9U>cYט{u׈CNSvu׈E_9U>cYc׉EIdeas to Consider When Teaching Black Students Inside Arts & Music Artist of the Month Jacob Lawerence >>> COVID-19 UPDATE >>> Hola America’s 20 years ׉ 7cassandra://UDFls2x_Lup--GdhaWvuy2wsdY9c9i_7SMIZEC99dsY&`̵_9U>cYd_9U>cYc{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://D8-wbh3l-Mw7HXsrGBVmT43a-z8zg_2TR7VAO3kitikp` ׉ 7cassandra://OgEY1Iai2HyvFaMOo-2YQyTMC4nb2h0fLZyU8Ijoaek:`S׉ 7cassandra://BtuNgdrVZJCMGESY7bsQIYz64pdX_gLFckF8wsbp3toH`̵׉ 7cassandra://d1kjsblHA9WGt8vSeYoFV_u88OgE4wpPvPV_QrEw0Jcb͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://XjcRbQGTFreGu1GTTQTAKh3JlWmUmMFIthOt90se9hgx` ׉ 7cassandra://O9kmVV8Tq0B_C6ad6_gpFJ9Xd9W-dQFSExIXm6THttY-`S׉ 7cassandra://FsdBaZEUhmnuf81FZEmRrhkUIOdfNM4GGtp_R2MDgZo`̵׉ 7cassandra://0y2JZIUDlzIZeAjKZTnZ_7l395pVy61kCbLJMp64rlo^$͠_9U>cY׉E׉ 7cassandra://BtuNgdrVZJCMGESY7bsQIYz64pdX_gLFckF8wsbp3toH`̵_9U>cYe׉E׉ 7cassandra://FsdBaZEUhmnuf81FZEmRrhkUIOdfNM4GGtp_R2MDgZo`̵_9U>cYf_9U>cYe{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://ZSTRLIE8szF37futbKs9y0u0B4sHiYmXyF19wBJLhZgJ` ׉ 7cassandra://fRYNaYueW4BZ15pDERK6QQsOG-i68VqcHKlD-f1J_yY^`S׉ 7cassandra://Ok31jvtGYo8LWm5-tM1jCGLGJREHiyjxHvQANRbgAAA`̵׉ 7cassandra://8Pf0vUAkVZI4JF4lsLLetvtOGpte2CMLl4KMGaxdyxkR ͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://Ik2oCR1SnM9O6v8jDDNJ5SzarNAM1jwJlYCeXmPFIUYg` ׉ 7cassandra://zLHYbGk9YwyQeNq07uVWrfLjzS9Z6bp39k97fwAfzVw[`S׉ 7cassandra://aZZqtvHfnk3p5UL3IaxuG-LrQBlTzfc6EPDMYAopK6M!`̵׉ 7cassandra://oRiw8NbqW2PfqpGFBVdUQdxnu1O1aSxTX1MoP_9HE8M͡`͠_9U>cYנ_9U>cYY9ׁHmailto:dsmurbanads@gmail.comׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY9ׁH mailto:contactdsmurban@gmail.comׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cYl9ׁHmailto:joindsmurban@gmail.comׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY' 9ׁHmailto:dsmurbannews@gmail.comׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cYԁo9ׁHhttp://dsmurban.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E #WRITERS & STAFF Editor-In-Chief Dwana Bradley Contributors Bert Moody Pastor Rosezine Wallace Hal Chase Margo Jones Gary Lawson Copy Editor Virgina Smith Celeste Lawson Lori A. Young Angela M. Jackson Teresa Bradley Cle’Shai Harden Dr. Eric Johnson 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 Fifields 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 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 COVID-19 SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO: dsmurbannews@gmail.com Join our email club at: joindsmurban@gmail.com BECOME AN OUTLET OF THE URBAN EXPERIENCE MAGAZINE Contact Dwana Bradley at contactdsmurban@gmail.com ADVERTISE WITH THE URBAN EXPERIENCE MAGAZINE dsmurbanads@gmail.com Creative Director Ash Easley Tiffany Braxton Donnetta Austin Terry Howell Tenelle Thomas (Queen T) Dani Relle Debra Carr Sharaine Conner Tenelle Thomas (Queen T) Dr. Eric Johnson Dani Relle Margo Jones Pastor Rosenzine Wallace Hal Chase ׉ 7cassandra://Ok31jvtGYo8LWm5-tM1jCGLGJREHiyjxHvQANRbgAAA`̵_9U>cYg׉E Features 09 15 20 8 Ideas to Consider When Teaching Black Students The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 5 ARTIST OF THE MONTH Communication is Key 26 Covid-19 Update 28 32 Hola America’s impact in the community over 20 years National Breast feeding Month What’s Inside? ׉ 7cassandra://aZZqtvHfnk3p5UL3IaxuG-LrQBlTzfc6EPDMYAopK6M!`̵_9U>cYh_9U>cYg{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://D8tDIHHg6iHDA2gR7UU7aAvSdi8loabzHG-8t1OCdPMB` ׉ 7cassandra://CdMxRnCU9NK8-BJek8IeCDl-iMZYAZUhttuTRifK9q4kx`S׉ 7cassandra://fj5YPPqKzBR4guFWs5R2I9KJhE0llTyjK4nuhfXK4Mg!`̵׉ 7cassandra://2D_chApXjsOZBOFXcoYqI_AJUO4U_4_ZP785ImWg148($͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://HrUlLzj7imjzMa5DrYsGBgS9-Vsqpo1AutLPZLOxvXMK` ׉ 7cassandra://-_hjbioW_YRL5RXGacjkfjeyWaOnDsjPPoBWxnpY734q`S׉ 7cassandra://HkjAnDGM8mF4JJ_iDu5KZ7GcYmtj96rhiZkQ54IwvJc`̵׉ 7cassandra://D01rOKzd5LyLHkuw_15oCAi5ySGtkB8qmwLIOCZOLpo_$͠_9U>cY׉E׉ 7cassandra://fj5YPPqKzBR4guFWs5R2I9KJhE0llTyjK4nuhfXK4Mg!`̵_9U>cYi׉E It’s Only August! Welcome to August. It’s the 8th month of the year and by now I’m ready for the last day of the year. I as many of you have been trying to keep my family safe from the Coronavirus. I listened to all news reports, disinfected my house, and made sure members of my family wore their mask. I took this virus seriously and knew four out of the five members in my household had underlying health conditions and two of them have serious conditions. To spare you the details of how the virus hit my home, I want you to know it did. Four out of the five members in my household got the virus and now as I’m writing we have lived through the impact of Derecho which decided to wreak havoc in the state of Iowa. I always believe that life has a way of getting our attention. I don’t know about you, but I’m listening. All that we have gone through is getting us back to basics: our families, regular communication, creating your own resources to survive and not depend on others. During the virus schools were shut down and they still are. Many parents were at their wits end with their children and gained a better appreciation for teachers. How many parents took time to get to know their kids more? Have conversations with them? Teach them something they would not learn in school? The virus is a time in my opinion to bring us together again and solidify relationships with your spouse, kids, friends, parents, siblings, etc. Did you take time to do this or did you find the bad in all of this and become bitter versus looking at something good that could come from this event. As I am typing many are still without power and I know it is not fun to not have power which means no television, cells phones are down, no food. I get it, it hurts. The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 7 I had the most fun spending time with a very special person who had no power and guess what we did, we talked, we laughed, we danced in the dark in the street, we ate food on the porch, took a night drive through the city. We get so busy with life and complaining about what we do not have. I challenge you to make what you have work and appreciate it and value it. I like many have said I am ready for this year to end. I have said I’m over it and I’m looking forward to 2021. I am going to take my statement and say 2020 has been the best year so far. I have grown, I have survived, and I have lived to tell the story. I got back to basics and realized the importance of everyone in my life. I hope you can find the good in 2020, yes it may be challenging to do especially if you’ve lost a loved one, your home, or have been financially hit hard. When we focus on the bad it turns into bitterness, when we focus on the good, the good gets better. Blessings, Dwana Bradley Editor-in-Chief The Urban Experience Magazine ׉ 7cassandra://HkjAnDGM8mF4JJ_iDu5KZ7GcYmtj96rhiZkQ54IwvJc`̵_9U>cYj_9U>cYi{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://bsC2rBRB6rc3cou1MohLX5bd1HIFPY5dvu9QRhpIGi8` ׉ 7cassandra://4qeIUXv3eR3ktFL5RIUR7wQcTqv3j0wGOZ4mKRargZMc`S׉ 7cassandra://WISbHWUhkxth0KPe49mKHZamLldI_-pmBXpfCM3wlFg#`̵׉ 7cassandra://na6v3cFREZNdOmn-pNGWnGY31nfJJB-NRfzjRlLaeAomG ͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://HRYqe8ixRSiYmsbAH8Cpb7Uhi35hWw1obNHTyTdeSJs ` ׉ 7cassandra://HWX7Rxelrsv1aFcLWX1MM1vDPVd16MRygwbKG8l_1W8VT`S׉ 7cassandra://8IgHB9b-kBvVhyAbxm__-EM_-7vKfFGuxLA9Ewjg70g `̵׉ 7cassandra://2sc_Xg2K2TzPEo5C_EeXfG35Zi1BqBzxbstYdRceOLk8a͠_9U>cY׉E׉ 7cassandra://WISbHWUhkxth0KPe49mKHZamLldI_-pmBXpfCM3wlFg#`̵_9U>cYk׉ETHE GREAT FRAME UP SUPPORTS AFRICAN-AMERICAN ARTISTS ARTIST FEATURE: Jacob Lawrence Written by Angela Jackson The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 9 ׉ 7cassandra://8IgHB9b-kBvVhyAbxm__-EM_-7vKfFGuxLA9Ewjg70g `̵_9U>cYl_9U>cYk{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://hd3fSKotbkuGafP2oGFazasFUhmqrrqqmA4P3Vv78u0)6` ׉ 7cassandra://QfCzCQLTzwTLmMC88NEEFUFL7OfCEmoOVYweH-kL1Cs͉x`S׉ 7cassandra://RHoX3FQybtYoQ_DJyb8VZIu5B4RfUFtd3e-6Kbbs61o)Z`̵׉ 7cassandra://3mj-Gd0PeKVNCr7nfRz498JyoaHlt_CDy2fzXGa_Xok͈͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://112RRAQqPTZtq6hrfIK4UGZnnIpPSOFy-Ops8RixAF0` ׉ 7cassandra://245XkQcytsfNJFWzD5jL8hPiIBX1hDzvxhu99ZUuoIAw`S׉ 7cassandra://Nockl784sJWy5gZnqHH405dDVXeswow4Gx-VWL0bzx0&`̵׉ 7cassandra://WjAB0BkIuoADr_QHUbwbaz7gwdyD5O88p3NT4kumX-4k(͠_9U>cY׉EDES MOINES, IOWA – As a local custom frame retailer and art gallery called - The Great Frame Up in West Des Moines - we enjoy supporting local artists. This month we celebrate an extraordinary iconic artist from New York. I would like to reintroduce The Des Moines Urban Experience readers to Jacob Lawrence, one of the greatest modern painters of the twentieth century. His use of historical events, personal connection and focused perspective come alive in the colors and composition of his artwork. “When Jacob Lawrence was a boy growing up in Harlem, rats gnawed at the table legs and roaches crawled the floor. You see them in his art. He remembers the depression, when bootleg whiskey cost 25 cents a quart. He will not let us forget race riots and chain gangs, war, misery and lynchings. Yet his pictures do not chide us. They evoke more pride than pity, more cheer than bitter rage . . . . Lawrence loves humanity. You see that in his imagery, in the kindness of his smile and in the patience with which he signs autographs for kids. An aura of affection, goodwill and respect, both given and received, shines around the man, and like armor round his art.” - Washington Post ׉ 7cassandra://RHoX3FQybtYoQ_DJyb8VZIu5B4RfUFtd3e-6Kbbs61o)Z`̵_9U>cYm׉EG“Jacob Lawrence (1917 – 2000) spent his childhood in New York City, attending classes at the Harlem Community Art Center and the American Artists School, . . .While still in his twenties, Lawrence exhibited his paintings at major museums across the country, . . . . where he became the first African American artist to have work represented in the permanent collection. He lived, painted, and taught in New York until 1971” when he moved to Seattle to join the faculty of the University of Washington. He was the winner of numerous awards including the National Medal of Arts” He was known for being direct, focused and consise, Lawrence stated “I am part of the Black community, so I am the Black Community speaking.” Excerpts from Over the Line – The Art And Life of Jacob Lawrence by Peter T. Nesbett and Michelle DuBois. ׉ 7cassandra://Nockl784sJWy5gZnqHH405dDVXeswow4Gx-VWL0bzx0&`̵_9U>cYn_9U>cYm{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://rDhyrFhLgGNWMVXEbFKS8k1QSQyDYVwg1SCwQyEykTE)` ׉ 7cassandra://uiL26fa_jTlp7Ojpg5NCFrOd_iFm9h8pMRZjJGijRM0s`S׉ 7cassandra://1lGXCtV4flgdJSC_HZfIwhuTcgAFwNv1R9z7lt2AngE#`̵׉ 7cassandra://BkhSOwGD4uczWdWHFDABmmmdMqXOTX4ynZVZz3RneU8ͥx͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://s_2FLeRb8kdomFGGViVZcI5L66eZZbVP3Pv5FZkDMck3` ׉ 7cassandra://eBL1jutS5ZGlmLNdIrbW9BFrqJdrw748z5M0mUVagW4T`S׉ 7cassandra://OFPimSzsK-Z4oAv-KrHNo2rofxKH26qTZNxS6IZdqtY ^`̵׉ 7cassandra://8sbR2QGnCHeamyaAbGbBAdJLmUEp6RIacsMZE3afNVY ,͠_9U>cYנ_9U>cY̍9ׁH,http://www.westdesmoines.thegreatframeup.comׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY<́9ׁH http://www.pinterest.com/tgfuwdmׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cYdcZ9ׁHhttp://www.westdesmoines.thׁ ׁ Ј׉EAs we embrace an array of visual artists, we provide art that allows Iowans to experience a variety of points of view. We currently feature originals, prints, sculptures and framed artwork of numerous African American and Iowa artists in the gallery. Currently, we have original artwork on canvas on display by local African-American artist Iven Jones. To see some of the prior artists featured visit www.westdesmoines.thegreatframeup. com and our Facebook page at www.facebook. com/tgfuwdmiowa. Please follow us on Instagram thegreatframeup_wdm, Pinterest www.pinterest.com/tgfuwdm and Twitter @ tgfuwdm. About The Great Frame Up The Great Frame Up – Iowa is a custom picture framer and art gallery, offering more than 1,000 custom frame mouldings and 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 Town Center and is open Monday - Saturday 10 – 5pm. Appointments are encouraged. To see some of the prior artists featured visit www.westdesmoines.thegreatframeup.com and our Facebook page at. Please follow us on Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest Houzz LinkedIn ׉ 7cassandra://1lGXCtV4flgdJSC_HZfIwhuTcgAFwNv1R9z7lt2AngE#`̵_9U>cYo׉EThe URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 13 ׉ 7cassandra://OFPimSzsK-Z4oAv-KrHNo2rofxKH26qTZNxS6IZdqtY ^`̵_9U>cYp_9U>cYo{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://1VCGavh-3fC_H9ItJbhfMMPWkjRjUtKg0El4cEv_x38` ׉ 7cassandra://nDBZvfcl-3VIdMP-tV0KNGgExl_5ccTUtABMB4OHlQQ̈́`S׉ 7cassandra://k69wTdOVeM8Q1Rx5rInqXH75ELZDae1QrL47FJ6sLYo.`̵׉ 7cassandra://Txhmp4nM29rs_ENItmDbb6taiou84SQFLET-eeGT0JwL͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://-PjyAmCVZYRSEobhEqTBJDBNXwf46g1FcIJFkE2oUZU` ׉ 7cassandra://9v3JVzbLIxyflYQupkw7t_rhkgv_ObWNBohegFZMVIIxc`S׉ 7cassandra://PnGEzZwOw2KHDhyqmDf-8yC0NZELnYg8xeKl-KzqM5s(~`̵׉ 7cassandra://KdtvWh3ebkfJdRyDQRM48xJ7i8E6-30itV4CegYHock4͠_9U>cYנ_9U>cYρ9ׁH#mailto:be.encouragedbyone@gmail.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E׉ 7cassandra://k69wTdOVeM8Q1Rx5rInqXH75ELZDae1QrL47FJ6sLYo.`̵_9U>cYq׉ECommunication is Key by Donnetta Austin Ephesians 3.4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 2 Timothy 2.7 Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all of these things. As a firm believer of the Lord and Christ Our Savior, I have become fully aware of the importance prayer and reading the Bible has made in a Christian’s life. The Lord has set before us a platform that has been made readily available so that we can grasp and take heed of the plans he has in store. Each of us are given an opportunity to accept the Lord into our lives, we are called to glorify God, experience more of him, and lead by example. We ask that God sheds light upon us, our tribulations, and converts us into his liking or image. During this process we are called to draw near or closer to God. The journey is not always a smooth path to follow. Thankfully if you are headed in the wrong direction God allows u-turns. This is why prayer and reading the Bible is so crucial. Prayer and reading the Bible is a way of developing your relationship and connecting with God. Through prayer you are able to have a two-way conversation, remain vulnerable, seek after God’s presence, and believe that he is the answer to all things concerning life’s challenges or difficulties. When reading the Bible it is also a roadmap to living a life that is pleasing to God. The Bible is God’s way of speaking and revealing himself. Nothing we have experienced or have gone through is a surprise to God. He can see the bigger picture. The Bible is a source given for us to follow and seek after God’s wisdom, knowledge, will, purpose, and his plans. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. By Author Donnetta Austin Book on Amazon: “Never Retire God” Email: be.encouragedbyone@gmail.com The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 15 ׉ 7cassandra://PnGEzZwOw2KHDhyqmDf-8yC0NZELnYg8xeKl-KzqM5s(~`̵_9U>cYr_9U>cYq{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://E1_iZtS4XHCit4RBKfaLSNgjik-aa2UPN_g276U8pfU` ׉ 7cassandra://NF1Inp5P_dd0OY1UwxySdEjv-pv6mUC6Z_b6tTe0WrYm`S׉ 7cassandra://6YbErmyXkvN7QrTd3RVXLkPFfalKEDFOD_76LshQzTw%9`̵׉ 7cassandra://w2hWYbDlbeZbainM54sf61XovNlZbTJMndxNA9NcQqk()T͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://fXxfIs14V_3U86nn3l6mAPTCh7Oaqiz4__TnVTH24ZAװ` ׉ 7cassandra://1MHzdfITMBHwCFeoo_AN7JkWEwyJutHpYgS1_Cx8z6cf`S׉ 7cassandra://L2DqYpTRUO2hsqSaRS7Lsrf3fymxH5UcQVTofO3Bu4M#O`̵׉ 7cassandra://yw_zHzQK2BgIrGRqv_R7dD4vRqbOpp9iD7rEC6WAISYE̘͠_9U>cY׉E׉ 7cassandra://6YbErmyXkvN7QrTd3RVXLkPFfalKEDFOD_76LshQzTw%9`̵_9U>cYs׉E׉ 7cassandra://L2DqYpTRUO2hsqSaRS7Lsrf3fymxH5UcQVTofO3Bu4M#O`̵_9U>cYt_9U>cYs{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://ELBqTsX5llbuc3-r75g7Rx_1xidV83hP2IFGVyhMigg` ׉ 7cassandra://8k6pE7-6pa3QdQYTFoStCsjPRGyTdbF8ccLzcI8wcYg͔i`S׉ 7cassandra://R0zGJ0fc_TDl5i9iRzsk1F6D3ES2EZNHKgSfST7HAvs%`̵׉ 7cassandra://ppso0IwMZ0PPZ33eswTV0YM0T2lU4jSwsW8Q4_QM3Ok,$͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://6Talu9MiIpYHB72Bct9TLaLorMgVggM6C8AQ47dfYj0Μ` ׉ 7cassandra://BbqYtgOUXbpPD3Q9tf0nFyVSRPUGLaJpwKkny6JabWEQn`S׉ 7cassandra://3dEWsT_4z7sCZcjJTm_9keHzZEx7lzdxj6HmDw6AbmI`̵׉ 7cassandra://gQBftMMlgE6v5tNJcgTDKS4XoKZe721SenZ3nBtPqTA͙$͠_9U>cY׉EA MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT AHART Dear Friends, As soon as Des Moines Public Schools transitioned to distance learning to finish last school year, we shifted our focus to how to safely begin 2020-21. Like school districts across the state, we spent thousands of hours developing a plan - according to the guidelines issued by the State of Iowa - on how to resume school in the midst of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. The development of this plan also reflected input from more than 80% of our families. While everyone wants a day when we can resume school as we have for the past one hundred years, that is simply an unsafe option. For DMPS, we prepared a plan - again, according to the guidelines issued by the State of Iowa - that provided our families with a choice between an all-virtual learning model and a hybrid model, which combines in-person and online learning. Our goal: educate our students while protecting the health and safety of our students, their families, and our staff. Over the past two weeks, the State of Iowa has released increased limitations on local decisionmaking, after more than 75% of our families had already registered for the plan we introduced on July 1. The DMPS plan was designed to maximize both student and staff safety and academic learning. Compliance with the recent changes in requirements will place students and staff at unacceptable risk given the COVID-19 conditions expected at the time school begins. Of particular concern are the guidelines issued just yesterday, stating that the transmission rate in a community must be more than 15-20% before a school can even ask for permission to change to online learning for a mere two weeks, a level triple that recommended by most public health experts. The State’s approach over the past two weeks has created concern and confusion for parents and teachers alike. It ignores the complexities of everything that goes into how a school district operates, not only preparing for online learning but everything from transportation to meals to technology to staffing. We recognize the significant challenges that the dramatic changes to daily schedules creates for our families and we are working with multiple district partners to address childcare and other family needs. However, the very notion that a school can simply flip a switch to go back and forth between in-person and online learning ignores the reality of how schools operate, what is best for our students and families, and limits the ability of teachers to provide quality instruction. Our reason for existence is to educate students, and that is exactly what DMPS will do in 2020-21. Whether in person or online, our teachers live to support the success of their students. But I am not going to put our staff - or their students and families - in the position of getting sick for that purpose. We can return to learn in a way that is smart, safe and realistic. Therefore, Des Moines Public Schools is working on the following changes to our Return to Learn plan: Delay the start of the school year to shortly after Labor Day. Professional Development days currently scheduled throughout the year would be held prior to the start of classes so that the 2020-21 school year ends as currently scheduled. The 2020-21 school year would begin fully virtual across all grade levels. As soon as it is safe to do so, DMPS would transition to the hybrid learning model for elementary and middle school students who registered for that plan. High school classes would most likely be held entirely online for the Fall semester, with the exception of some in-person classes at Central Campus. As Superintendent, I will continue to make every effort to work collaboratively with the Iowa Department of Education and the Governor about our need to take this approach to responsibly further our students’ education. Finally, DMPS is prepared to take every step available to ensure a safe start to the school year for our 33,000 students, 5,000 employees, their families, and the entire Des Moines community. Dr. Thomas Ahart, Superintendent Des Moines Public Schools ׉ 7cassandra://R0zGJ0fc_TDl5i9iRzsk1F6D3ES2EZNHKgSfST7HAvs%`̵_9U>cYu׉EThe URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 19 ׉ 7cassandra://3dEWsT_4z7sCZcjJTm_9keHzZEx7lzdxj6HmDw6AbmI`̵_9U>cYv_9U>cYu{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://aaZLtmUlrsj85vLDs94knBbtCxDtHQ-HkU-xKchS-I0c` ׉ 7cassandra://AASki1fSYc-MV-9CAJyxg94j0lmSJqGHs1Q5dPe8vW8̈́`S׉ 7cassandra://bR1cVJtndOZYapz-cwMgoP50AxSh1n0uW82ty3vbAk0&`̵׉ 7cassandra://bOXoYOvG10DXanz3fLlWtH3K--WNBAAZxpLkxkJcYLA,͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://ixftlPCfiHekKTcdP8TeS5ImpPiVMAud-y29p_79isU^` ׉ 7cassandra://w3-UAxvYb2_qvHy8-3WAT_bzWwhwG8Ov1D8ocdLZrdw͢`S׉ 7cassandra://8w1zBYkydUq3MxHTBARt6tJ61ymI2XnM7KB0cnIAzA4(`̵׉ 7cassandra://74psExeJnGMahAIlhsKr2A1LFgJ84Ue7lMqPlebIXQUNR ͠_9U>cY׉E8 Ideas to Consider When Teaching Black Students Introduction The public-school system provides a rich opportunity for mutually beneficial growth and learning for educators and those in supportive roles that serve them. A growth mindset coupled with ongoing learning and continued education are invaluable for all to employ. Information presented within this article can be helpful for those serving on the frontlines or within other supportive roles within the public-school district. Begin With The Right Mindset: If you do not believe Black children learn at the same rate as any other child, then you do not belong in front of them nor in a classroom full of White children. Many do not openly admit this belief, nevertheless, your actions will validate this notion. An educator (or others in supportive roles) may covertly (and even overtly) reinforce a white supremacist philosophy – unintentionally. The lifelong impact is devastating. Black students are particularly impacted by their teachers’ opinions about them. This opinion can be a powerful tool or a dangerous weapon. A study from Johns Hopkins and American University researchers found when White and Black teachers were asked about the same student, White teachers had comparatively negative predictions for their students of color and were more likely to have faith in the abilities of students who look like them. Research further supports when an educator puts forth the effort to support a Black child to become successful, these actions are also beneficial in helping other children become successful. Challenge Question: What are 3 action steps I can implement to ensure I sustain the right mindset when teaching Black students. How do I plan to continue to challenge my growth and thinking in this area? Support Students In Developing a Positive Racial Identity: Black students are bombarded with messages showing them as lazy and low achievers. Often, perceptions of Black students as high achievers are the “exception and not the rule.” ׉ 7cassandra://bR1cVJtndOZYapz-cwMgoP50AxSh1n0uW82ty3vbAk0&`̵_9U>cYw׉EUnfortunately, the constant negative images widely publicized of Black people (males in particular) attacks the psyche of all people. Black students internalize these negative images which can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and limited self-worth. Educators can provide positive comments within the classroom that promote positivity and challenges stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. Research documents when a child feels self-confident, they are able to cope and appropriately respond to discrimination which greatly aids in reinforcing the child’s positive self-image and identify. Educators can reinforce positive messages and leverage the use of present-day resources and curriculum that validate these contributions. Challenge Question: In what ways do I promote positive racial identities of Black people on a consistent basis? What present-day materials and curriculum do I bring to the classroom --what additional resources would I add? Establish High Expectations, Provide High Support, Give Much Love: Some educators struggle with creating balance within their classrooms, opting to enact authoritarian demeanor and rules. Others tolerate chaos and excuses and become frustrated when they are unable to manage behavior in their classrooms. Highly successful learning environments find the right mix: a balance that sets high expectations for students and supports the dignity and worth of every student, while maintaining order. Educators are perfectly positioned to promote high expectations while leveraging team approaches to problem solving in a manner that does not compromise expectations but rather encourages resources to support the needs of the student. Challenge Question: How do I personally define high expectations for students and what processes do I leverage to determine what supports a student may need? What evidence do I have that documents my consistent response to establishing high expectations where all students feel they belong? Establish Windows and Mirrors: White children’s positive sense of self is reinforced through media and in life. The media shows an overwhelming number of Whites in positions of power, which can consciously or unconsciously influence who has worth and/or power. Often, even when a student has a Black teacher, other positions of power may be overwhelmingly White, so students see that as well. Helping all students see themselves as contributors to society and as leaders is vital. History has often intentionally “left” out significant contributions made by Black people. The lack of accurate historical facts has created a subtle but extremely powerful perception of the absence of noteworthy contributions of Black people. Educators who expand their knowledge outside of the “traditional,” history books will find insightful and accurate historical artifacts showcasing numerous contributions of Black people. Challenge Question: What specific opportunities do I leverage to learn more about the history and contributions made by Black people? How can I incorporate these learnings into my classroom? Serve Holistically: Preparing students to succeed for the 21st century and beyond requires students to be grounded in college- and careerreadiness and support students with pursuing robust post-secondary options. A holistic education supports the “whole child” and integrates the concept of school, business and community. Research and practice confirm that a whole child approach to education develops and prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of today, tomorrow and for the future. The “whole child framework,” integrates health and education and is centered around maintaining the best interest of the student at heart. When public schools incorporate the voice of diverse stakeholders across many systems that “directly or indirectly,” touch the life of a student and their family, the opportunity for shared responsibility and collective impact is elevated. A whole child approach ensures each student is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 21 ׉ 7cassandra://8w1zBYkydUq3MxHTBARt6tJ61ymI2XnM7KB0cnIAzA4(`̵_9U>cYx_9U>cYw{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://NHqvsyLaWwADpf3HNjsgeDkZkWgVuvgELWDlqNS5GVs` ׉ 7cassandra://kQ9YVwUVWvXlgkheSoUwdQZpehgbZY6sHlCngOxPyk4͗`S׉ 7cassandra://7ofkdhr8YtDrtllpDoUjYSxfw_6PJydobFJ497EzBfs&>`̵׉ 7cassandra://XG47J1LhvkgCF0X8s1iPPqdlCA8TjlIHxOjEMK8pXXQ8͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://gPdACY9ti6XpJnGwd7sLjClmTsPL7y91DfsMSeojOVg1` ׉ 7cassandra://TgwAK5Bv3GF-GawlRHq9C0e7LCTAKxbptV4rIbnJyBY͛.`S׉ 7cassandra://wUGGItXLhgDRVEVSf-vUJMELuY83dLOC3it41sGvhJg'`̵׉ 7cassandra://XFDXLWIy6FCZjy6mNsC5de5N4_lannwh_FQg1pWdU-0Re ͠_9U>cY׉E[within a comprehensive sustainable school culture and climate. This approach results in mutually beneficial longterm success for students, educators, businesses, and communities. Challenge Question: How will I deepen my knowledge of health outcomes and its implications on academic learning and achievement? Am I considering the whole child and engaging the communities beyond school that help support and develop them? What strategies will I employ to apply this knowledge within my classroom and/or as I support the work of educators? Learner of Culture: Educators should be curious, respectful and knowledgeable about Black history and culture while maintaining a high sense of humility. Even if you have taught Black children for decades, don’t assume you know the struggles of Black people better than they do. Unaware of the culturally adaptive reasons for behavior, many people—even many Blacks—are unaware of the strengths that have enabled Black communities to survive and thrive despite deep hardships. Teachers who understand the history of slavery, the glory days of reconstruction, the following period that gave way to restrictions of segregation, and the ongoing and current injustices encountered by Blacks may be better positioned to understand Black children’s behavior and know how to appropriately respond. The lack of knowledge about and appreciation for Black culture creates social distance between Blacks and Whites and is a deterrent to change. When Black American culture is transmitted from generation to generation and understood as rich and noteworthy, these aspects of culture can be leveraged to build new skills and expand one’s own knowledge. Recognizing the meaning and value of children’s home knowledge can be used as a foundation for teachers to extend children’s thinking rather than considering it an impediment. The capabilities developed in homes and communities can be used as springboards for learning in school if teachers recognize children’s strengths (Adair 2015). An educator can support the well-being of a Black student by listening empathetically, expanding one’s own worldview and authentically striving to build a healthy relationship with students. One good rule to follow is seeking to understand prior to being understood. Challenge Question: What is my current level of understanding of Black history and its influence and impact on American culture? In what areas am I in need of additional training and development? How will I use my expanded knowledge to more effectively engage Black students? Skilled in Channeling Anger: Numerous examples of social unrest and many years of injustice causes some Black students and others to be angry. Often, it can be challenging to teach Black students a “world view when the world’s narrative often comes from biased media that often excludes the Black voice. The lack of empathy can also cloud how an educator responds to situations without proper context. When people learn by what they see regardless of positive or negative, they become conditioned on how to respond. A famous author James Baldwin said, “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious, is to be in a rage almost all the time.” Teachers can help children deal with anger by guiding their understanding and management of this emotion. The six concepts listed below support strategies to help students to challenge anger in productive ways. • Create a Safe Emotional Climate. A safe emotional climate allows students to acknowledge all feelings, pleasant and unpleasant, and does not shame anger. Healthy classroom systems have clear, firm, and flexible boundaries. ׉ 7cassandra://7ofkdhr8YtDrtllpDoUjYSxfw_6PJydobFJ497EzBfs&>`̵_9U>cYy׉E• Model Responsible Anger Management. Children have an impaired ability to understand emotion when adults show a lot of anger (Denham, Zoller, & Couchoud, 1994). Adults who acknowledge, accept and take responsibility for their own angry feelings in nonaggressive ways provide a great example for children. • Help Children Develop Self-Regulatory Skills. Teachers of infants and toddlers do a lot of selfregulation “work,” realizing that the children in their care have a very limited ability to regulate their own emotions. As children get older, adults can gradually transfer control of the self to children, so that they can develop self-regulatory skills. • Encourage Children to Label Feelings of Anger. Teachers and parents can help young children produce a label for their anger by teaching them they are having a feeling and they can use a word to describe their angry feeling. A permanent record (a book or chart) can be made of lists of labels for anger (e.g., mad, irritated, annoyed), and the class can refer to it when discussing angry feelings. • Encourage Children to Talk About Anger-Arousing Interactions. When emotions are explained, children are better able to understand how to explain the emotion (Denham, Zoller, & Couchoud, 1994). When children are embroiled in an anger-arousing interaction, teachers can help by listening without judging, evaluating, or ordering them to feel differently. • Use Books and Stories about Anger to Help Children Understand and Manage Anger. Wellpresented stories about anger and other emotions validate children’s feelings and give information about anger (Jalongo, 1986; Marion, 1995). It is important to preview all books about anger as some stories teach irresponsible anger management. Challenge Question: How will I gather information to determine the root of a child’s anger and what influences may be triggering this emotion within the child? What areas do I need to improve to help the child manage this emotion? Sense of Purpose: Conscious and committed educators have a strong sense of purpose and view schools as environments that foster a commitment to diverse communities. This requires incorporating the voices and resources of community stakeholders to engage them in value-added ways for the best interest of students. Without a strong sense of purpose, an educator can easily become a perpetrator of the very injustices they initially sought to dismantle. Educators that have the capacity to tap into their sense of purpose and commitment to deliver a highquality education for all students are on the right track. He or she will further their understanding of the huge responsibility of creating and sustaining equitable classrooms and schools. Challenge Question: Is my approach to teaching and learning aligned with my sense of purpose? In what ways do I infuse equity into my teaching strategies? What are 3 ways I can grow my skills? Conclusion The wave of the future requires reimagination of the delivery of the public education school model. This article provides a few ideas and references educators and those in supportive roles can use to gain additional insight into the unique ways to better teach and support Black students. You will no doubt need to do further reading, seek education and training to grow in this effort while learning from your own personal experiences. Each student deserves to succeed---Black students included. Written by: Debra Carr, LMSW, ACSW, CFSW – Adapted from: Sharif El-Mekki, Principal of MasterySchool Shoemaker Campus – Neighborhood Public Charter- Philadelphia, PA Debra A Carr is a life-long learner, cause-minded socialpreneur, social justice advocate, mom, fashion lover, executive coach, business consultant, counselor and social worker. The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 23 ׉ 7cassandra://wUGGItXLhgDRVEVSf-vUJMELuY83dLOC3it41sGvhJg'`̵_9U>cYz_9U>cYy{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://DCGhwDsFY2WcoPgXr1suCG-QcPIKr85qGnGCeNJ8czs׃` ׉ 7cassandra://PZvYlwc5EeG1lDgaax5R2yL2e61wh9BngX3cEDKdC68wc`S׉ 7cassandra://r9HMv04PFunTOWGKOknvbFY6tn8OCVxH9c6iQkqDpAM"`̵׉ 7cassandra://ZXds6vbqtHJQaUekEuRJFLLM-3LXRyIgW2cavfQ9bLo!$͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://gDlHH9Q8P-M62NBjvhK8CEnAUIJNKwwMLUIKRlpEvqs` ׉ 7cassandra://J0KIIFG-TJC8q8I39pWvmJ9LYXFtB-QYE_pGeYmA5FcO`S׉ 7cassandra://X-38US73au_pjsAtwL2OxvzOYrluV4JIrA_tsBEe8ck`̵׉ 7cassandra://3nG1GtUqEUTB7Vt5F5uwVn7M61knqLof0Bvq4S7XXZwͿT,͠_9U>cYנ_9U>cYɁ 9ׁH3http://inequality.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/ׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cYȁrIq9ׁH.http://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/impactׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cYǁ!9ׁH$https://learningforward.org/docs/jsdׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cYƁ!Yr9ׁH(https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/ׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cYŁ!>9ׁHhttp://www.ascd.org/wholeׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cYā! 9ׁHhttps://educationpost.org/9ׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cYÁ!Ӂ9ׁH$https://www.nacac.org/resource/sevenׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY3x9ׁH*https://psychologybenefits.org/2014/12/13/ׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cYyS9ׁH)http://www.brookings.edu/blog/browncenterׁ ׁ Ј׉E3Debra is Owner and Principal Consultant of Carr & Associates, graduate of the University of Iowa School of Social Work, licensed master social worker, certified financial social worker, member of academy of certified social workers and certified nonprofit management professional. Gershenson, S., & T.S. Dee. 2017. “The Insidiousness of Unconscious Bias in Schools.” Brown Center Chalkboard (blog). Brookings. www.brookings.edu/blog/browncenterchalkboard/2017/03/20/the-insidiousn.... Gilliam, W.S. 2014. “What Could Make Less Sense than Expelling a Preschooler?” Psychology Benefits Society (blog). American Psychological Association. https://psychologybenefits.org/2014/12/13/ preschool-expulsions. Internet Resources: https://www.nacac.org/resource/seven-tasks-forparents/ https://educationpost.org/9-things-every-educatorshould-know-when-teaching-black-students/ http:// www.ascd.org/whole-child.aspx https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/ may2018/achievement-gap https://learningforward.org/docs/jsd-june-2012/ nelson333.pdf?sfvrsn=2 Additional References Adair, J.K. 2015. The Impact of Discrimination on the Early Schooling Experiences of Children from Immigrant Families. Report. Migration Policy Institute. www.migrationpolicy.org/research/impactdiscrimination-early-schooling-e.... Alter, C. 2015. “Black Children Still Most Likely to Live in Poverty, Study Says.” Time. http://time. com/3955671/black-children-poverty-study. Calarco, J.M. 2014. “Coached for the Classroom: Parents’ Cultural Transmission and Children’s Reproduction of Educational Inequalities.” American Sociological Review 79 (5): 1015–37. Duncan, G.J., J. Brooks-Gunn, & P.K. Klebanov. 1994. “Economic Deprivation and Early Childhood Development.” Child Development 65 (2): 296– 318. Grusky, D., C. Varner, & M. Mattingly, eds. 2015. “State of the States: The Poverty and Inequality Report.” Pathways: A Magazine on Poverty, Inequality, and Social Policy. Special issue. The Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality. http://inequality.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/ SOTU_2015.pdf. ׉ 7cassandra://r9HMv04PFunTOWGKOknvbFY6tn8OCVxH9c6iQkqDpAM"`̵_9U>cY{׉EThe URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 25 ׉ 7cassandra://X-38US73au_pjsAtwL2OxvzOYrluV4JIrA_tsBEe8ck`̵_9U>cY|_9U>cY{{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://4JCDbYqR2gJz-cu-w8EkbwPYtfZv4Bv13AhThHGz5E4` ׉ 7cassandra://tKnWWo9EDmynSPXbWSw79aa9YcMnB94SrJghh8BfzAwͦ`S׉ 7cassandra://GVmQ5hJh-jD87IM8tQe4I5fgdqhO8aRcQUNeYy9-Rhw+v`̵׉ 7cassandra://Gt8P9HVfG-je-6neAAhNLT6Tj5shQqw-9JpRG9lQE90ټ͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://srLHB0bX8842fMiPQDBWInxtmednI3uvGLTUZxaC3t0` ׉ 7cassandra://CvjVm1fgLFn7Nkw4QSkWZH85-7lb8mWbzCyojGwaYxÈ`S׉ 7cassandra://WDBEuDviUtJVHRd6nBSAR-1_XCfC8pBWYTB5B1Gvfb4&`̵׉ 7cassandra://3Esrf0iih520X4Rjgb0DLOQvC0qdURuA_8rvRUBzCRw͠_9U>cYˑנ_9U>cÝ9ׁHhttp://www.cdc.govׁ ׁ Ј׉EaThe COVID-19 pandemic may have put many parts of Health Equity Considerations and Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups CDC website www.cdc.gov Long-standing systemic health and social inequities have put many people from racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19. The term “racial and ethnic minority groups” includes people of color with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. But some experiences are common to many people within these groups, and social determinants of health have historically prevented them from having fair opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health. [1]There is increasing evidence that some racial and ethnic minority groups are being disproportionately affected by COVID-19. [2], [3], [4], [5], [6] Inequities in the social determinants of health, such as poverty and healthcare access, affecting these groups are interrelated and influence a wide range of health and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.[1] To achieve health equity, barriers must be removed so that everyone has a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Factors that contribute to increased risk Some of the many inequities in social determinants of health that put racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19 include: Discrimination: Unfortunately, discrimination exists in systems meant to protect well-being or health. Examples of such systems include health care, housing, education, criminal justice, and finance. Discrimination, which includes racism, can lead to chronic and toxic stress and shapes social and economic factors that put some people from racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk for COVID-19.[5], [7], [8], [9] • Healthcare access and utilization: People from some racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to be uninsured than non-Hispanic whites. [10] Healthcare access can also be limited for these groups by many other factors, such as lack of transportation, child care, or ability to take time off of work; communication and language barriers; cultural differences between patients and • providers; and historical and current discrimination in healthcare systems. [11] Some people from racial and ethnic minority groups may hesitate to seek care because they distrust the government and healthcare systems responsible for inequities in treatment [12] and historical events such as the Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the African American Male and sterilization without people’s permission. [13], [14], [15], [16] • Occupation: People from some racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately represented in essential work settings such as healthcare facilities, farms, factories, grocery stores, and public transportation. [17] Some people who work in these settings have more chances to be exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 due to several factors, such as close contact with the public or other workers, not being able to work from home, and not having paid sick days. [18] • Educational, income, and wealth gaps: Inequities in access to high-quality education for some racial and ethnic minority groups can lead to lower high school completion rates and barriers to college entrance. This may limit future job options and lead to lower paying or less stable jobs. [19] People with limited job options likely have less flexibility to leave jobs that may put them at a higher risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. People in these situations often cannot afford to miss work, even if they’re sick, because they do not have enough money saved up for essential items like food and other important living needs. • Housing: Some people from racial and ethnic minority groups live in crowded conditions that make it more challenging to follow prevention strategies. In some cultures, it is common for family members of many generations to live in one household. In addition, growing and disproportionate unemployment rates for some racial and ethnic minority groups during the COVID-19 pandemic[19] may lead to greater risk of eviction and homelessness or sharing of housing. ׉ 7cassandra://GVmQ5hJh-jD87IM8tQe4I5fgdqhO8aRcQUNeYy9-Rhw+v`̵_9U>cY}׉EThese factors and others are associated with more COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in areas where racial and ethnic minority groups live, learn, work, play, and worship.[5],[10], [20], [21] They have also contributed to higher rates of some medical conditions that increase one’s risk of severe illness from COVID-19. In addition, community strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19 may cause unintentional harm, such as lost wages, reduced access to services, and increased stress, for some racial and ethnic minority groups. [22] What We Can Do The COVID-19 pandemic may change some of the ways we connect and support each other. As individuals and communities respond to COVID-19 recommendations and circumstances (e.g., school closures, workplace closures, social distancing), there are often unintended negative impacts on emotional well-being such as loss of social connectedness and support. Shared faith, family, and cultural bonds are common sources of social support. Finding ways to maintain support and connection, even when physically apart, can empower and encourage individuals and communities to protect themselves, care for those who become sick, keep kids healthy, and better cope with stress. Community- and faith-based organizations, employers, healthcare systems and providers, public health agencies, policy makers, and others all have a part in helping to promote fair access to health. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we must work together to ensure that people have resources to maintain and manage their physical and mental health, including easy access to information, affordable testing, and medical and mental health care. We need programs and practices that fit the communities where racial and minority groups live, learn, work, play, and worship. Data on COVID-19 and Race and Ethnicity CDC resources • CDC COVID Data Tracker • COVID-NET: A Weekly Summary of U.S. COVID-19 Hospitalization Data • COVIDView: A Weekly Surveillance Summary of U.S. COVID-19 Activity Other resources • The COVID Tracking Project’s The COVID Racial Data Trackerexternal icon • Emory University’s COVID-19 Health Equity Interactive Dashboardexternal icon gO dIGITAL aDVERTISE WITH The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 27 ׉ 7cassandra://WDBEuDviUtJVHRd6nBSAR-1_XCfC8pBWYTB5B1Gvfb4&`̵_9U>cY~_9U>cY}{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://Q0FmQsNxklfLMJGiDFDxybB9XG4zDRk2A7aJPmXO9oIj'` ׉ 7cassandra://NFRgt7WfG2ufIIn3OC9KWrWBYw6DkzkpFaeGB_3EIKY͚_`S׉ 7cassandra://GZhDgO6T_r-o6e4GDP826wIZfY4gPBq3kQZ7tLJHZas.`̵׉ 7cassandra://1dctQK1E50CEluWjzgEs9L--5t9pqJTJkbcQO7YXkmE$͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://i0hb4G67aEkOqvUjRCIPD6CT-GK-u7KjbRUtrquQay8M` ׉ 7cassandra://QxtKC7nhzod3_HI1RMpoEkEz3CfimRHz3pEEeKzojyM͗`S׉ 7cassandra://ZruzS6HNE80u3WmgmoxSTGuG-CC72qO3SiDnLk2FbVY'`̵׉ 7cassandra://lwGOnu6H9jBozHIAD-fAOUZemQ0IhtNhRN5BqbW7PWs=K ͠_9U>cYϒנ_9U>cYс̎9ׁHhttp://QuadCities.comׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cYҁE9ׁHhttp://HolaAmericaNews.comׁ ׁ Ј׉EwHola America’s impact in the community over 20 years featured on Hola America News By Jonathan Turner of QuadCities.com Hola America News printed its first issue on Aug. 29, 2000, and is celebrating 20 years as the QuadCities’ bilingual newspaper and a positive force for information, cultural pride and public service throughout the region. “The 20th anniversary of Hola America News is a testament to its hard work and longstanding importance in the media for both Latinos and the community at large,” Nick Salazar, state director for the Iowa chapters of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), said recently. “Throughout the years, the young Latino population has been quickly moving away from print media to digital media and away from Spanish media to bilingual media,” he said. “Hola America has shown its resiliency throughout the years by making these adjustments accordingly and while most importantly maintaining its printed media in Spanish to keep our parents and grandparents informed in the Quad-Cities and across Iowa.” “While mainstream, regional, and local media usually portray a narrow view of Latinos on the surface, Hola America, as a news publication by and for Latinos, has covered a broader range of issues, activities, and viewpoints for its audiences providing a complete picture of the Latino community that otherwise would have been ignored or misrepresented,” Salazar said. “Hola America being able to cover a deeper range of issues in the Latino community played an instrumental role in the activism and growth of LULAC in Iowa throughout the years,” he added. “Hola America, in a place of servitude, has helped LULAC elevate the stories and issues from the Latino community that traditional media could not cover.” Juanita Zertuche, president of LULAC Council 5285 (representing Rock Island County), said from the beginning it formed about eight years ago, “Hola was part of helping us with anything we needed.” “Getting our name out in the community, they were always very supportive,” she said, noting Hola had been members of the long established LULAC Council 10 on the Iowa side. ׉ 7cassandra://GZhDgO6T_r-o6e4GDP826wIZfY4gPBq3kQZ7tLJHZas.`̵_9U>cY׉E“They knew how important it was to find connections for the local community; we are very grateful.” Hola has raised awareness of local scholarship funds and programs impacting the growing Hispanic community (while LULAC scholarships are available to any students), Zertuche said. “They were key to make sure everyone in the community is informed, to keep engaged in what’s going on in our communities,” she said. The paper also “was instrumental for the East Moline Parade and Fiesta. Hola supported this event and donated many hours to showcase and promote this event.” Hola president Tar Macias – a 47-year-old Mexican-American who moved to Moline in 1987 – said his mission was inspired by Jerry Taylor, former publisher of The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus, who told him: “A newspaper is a reflection of the community it serves.” Starting in 2005, The Dispatch printed Hola for many years; it’s currently printed in Marshalltown, Iowa. Its mission statement is: “Hola America will always do its best to properly reflect the Latino community fairly and with dignity.” Macias said when the local or national media focuses on Latino stories, “it’s mainly when we do something wrong.” “For every negative news article about a Latino committing a crime, there are literally thousands of positive stories of Latinos doing something good and contributing to our communities,” he said. “But those stories seldom get told. That is what Hola America has been trying to do for many years.” Macias’ mother’s side of the family has lived in Moline for seven generations. Language was his biggest challenge growing up. “I did not know any English and I had to take all my classes in English at Moline High School,” he said, graduating in 1990, before studying at Black Hawk College. He worked for Voces Weekly, a bilingual newspaper, for about a year and after it went out of business, he saw a void to fill in the area. Macias and his wife Erika are the only official employees of Hola, but they have about 10 freelancers and others who work with them on a regular basis. Before this past April and Covid-19, they published and distributed the paper for free twice a month – 10,000 copies of Hola America News and Hola Iowa (started in 2014). Since April, they combined the publications and print once a month. “With Covid-19, we are reevaluating how we are going to approach the print distribution,” Macias said. “Some locations are closed for now – like restaurants and offices — but some locations like El Mexicano food market in Moline, 1,200 newspapers go there with every issue, just in that place alone.” “Many newspapers are going online only, but I’m afraid we have a big audience that still prefers the hard copy of the newsprint,” he said. “On our social media platform, we are reaching around 250,000 people every month with an engagement of 100,000 people every 28 days in a consistent basis for the last few years.” Its website, HolaAmericaNews.com, reaches about 20,000 people per week. “Their content is so family- and communityminded, also educational,” said Maria Ontiveros, president of Mercado on Fifth. “The fact they’ve been highlighting positive stories in the Latinx community has helped the community thrive. The bilingual resources on immigration, highlighting the community events has helped the Latinx community thrive in the Quad-Cities. Journalism is a tough field to be in and they’ve hung in there for the past 20 years. “That’s because Erika and Tar are so dedicated to this community,” she said. “We’re lucky to have them.” One of the biggest impacts Hola America has had is hosting visits by the Mexican Consulate based out of Chicago, to the Quad-Cities, Macias said. “These visits have helped literally thousands of Mexican residents of the Quad-Cities and surrounding areas get their passports and matricula cards,” he said, noting the cards are needed for a Mexican national to open a bank account. The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 29 ׉ 7cassandra://ZruzS6HNE80u3WmgmoxSTGuG-CC72qO3SiDnLk2FbVY'`̵_9U>cY_9U>cY{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://1EygRMg_1xTbjOGosI8eZ7VOfXLCBhH1qT_oit8QkFct` ׉ 7cassandra://17ownLlu13-gSQNLWy_t9pz7aIWoRIrB-jhFKAYGJJIͥ`S׉ 7cassandra://V1PKdawWCxp34g8IbeEaaqqsS_anszm2HKyQxRCcpms,"`̵׉ 7cassandra://o7gI_k9xnxs1JNb8GnJ8VfhPKEbWqrgdNB0IBtKkplEkR$͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://Kdr8O85NeZZafaPUZa_nPUsRqhhNhanxP22QJNpmRwU` ׉ 7cassandra://MzWLnALy8w8qhQUjeq7lw2oCDLcL6bXFtm-k63ozem8VW`S׉ 7cassandra://34WJGVMz5dOPkUq-WLLdSHsaDlLNKtyS3G89PD1QYqI$`̵׉ 7cassandra://mucGjY8s4O6Sz5m0ZEcqpLrOvId4-58BMMunm8o55dc,͠_9U>cY׉EHola America has organized their visits every year, sometimes twice a year. Before the consulate visits to the Q-C, people would have to drive to Chicago and spend all day at the consulate office to get their passport, to travel back and forth to Mexico. The visits to the Q-C save people money and days off work by allowing them to apply for their passport at these events. The impact is in the upwards of 15,000 families served in the last 20 years, Macias said. Among other programs and events Hola has been closely involved with are: Day of the Dead Fiesta at the Figge Art Museum, which Macias suggested when the building opened in 2005. After handing off the event to different community organizations, Hola America was asked again in 2016 to come back and partner with LULAC and the Figge to help organize it, which draws nearly 4,000 people a year for the one day event Family Fiesta. “Our partnership has just become stronger, with endless support from Hola America – both for the biannual exhibitions and for the family fiesta,” said Heather Aaronson, Figge education programs coordinator. “For instance, Hola America does all the translations to Spanish so that the labels and signage are available to the community in Spanish. “I feel that Hola America is deeply engrained into our Quad-City community and are ever supportive of the Hispanic population – through the arts, culture, politics, supporting businesses, endless partnerships, wonderful ideas, a can-do attitude, and all with an amazing amount of positivity and goodwill,” she said. “It has been more than my pleasure to work with Tar and Erika over the years, and I congratulate my friends on 20 years as Hola America.” March for Immigration Reform May 1, 2006, the biggest march ever in the QC for immigration reform, with 3,000 people crossing the Centennial Bridge. “What made this march amazing was that it was organized in a short time and by a handful of young people who had never organized something of this magnitude,” Macias said.“It was a small group of us that in my dining room we held the meetings trying to figure out how we were going to organize the march. Part of the group were high school kids, but what they lacked in experience they made up in passion,” he said. Project Vibrant Neighborhoods by WQPT-TV, led by Macias over 18 months to offer people in Moline’s Floreciente area a voice to showcase their pride in their place of residence and an opportunity to share what this neighborhood means to them. “Now a heavily Hispanic neighborhood, Floreciente (which means ‘blooming’ in Spanish) is still a gateway for many people from different backgrounds setting roots in the Quad-Cities, and it’s one of the most culturally rich neighborhoods in the area,” Macias said. Hola also produced a bilingual TV show from 2009-2015, the last few years airing on WQPT. “Hola America has been a wonderful partner to our entire area,” said Lora Adams, WQPT director of marketing. “Yes, they are a Hispanic paper, but their reach is throughout the area and not only the Hispanic community. When we worked with Hola America and Tar, it was always as partners in reaching the entire Quad-Cities and sharing information important to everyone.” Supporting Fourth Wall Films’ Hero Street documentary series. “Tammy and I are so grateful for Tar and Erika’s friendship and their support for our Hero Street film series,” director Kelly Rundle said. “Their coverage has been key to keeping the community informed about the project, and their encouragement has helped us get through some difficult times. We congratulate them on this important anniversary and milestone, and wish them the very best as they continue their important work.” “It really is an amazing and influential news source that has empowered the appreciation and recognition of Hispanic arts, culture and history; unity, pride and progress,” producer Tammy Rundle said of Hola. “Tar and Erika had a vision and it has been realized by their hard work and dedication for two decades. ׉ 7cassandra://V1PKdawWCxp34g8IbeEaaqqsS_anszm2HKyQxRCcpms,"`̵_9U>cY׉EGPost Job Openings with Urban Experience The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 31 ׉ 7cassandra://34WJGVMz5dOPkUq-WLLdSHsaDlLNKtyS3G89PD1QYqI$`̵_9U>cY_9U>cY{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://YbalztDfJ2o5Se7eIgeMYYqqNXlw0899ZFA15CUPRqY` ׉ 7cassandra://TfuTapA_ENBbCUSLEUIjYqkwqhrCNPWQVru1IBWkRRUw`S׉ 7cassandra://HI5Pye94vHdeARDbTaf3UXI1iFqKtAZqdB75GuLfP5s%q`̵׉ 7cassandra://S_7ulX4eLefMJoLxBaxnhdXPoguPp-vt22REHAOFDgQY(͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://pFFcNTCKlwyV0mDjAa9iU9Pzr5AeRklHj8QDMccn43cF` ׉ 7cassandra://ZiWpIJV26L1QbnBThQcuXqk66RPnSZDZhixwi3Ec0H8́`S׉ 7cassandra://onv_KmuNzzEa10tXliviqh6Idz7QzCTdINS5hQ-tXnM&C`̵׉ 7cassandra://5xDsVjSNnMLmAppyA4LqRXsqv_apm4eejnO3N0gqw4UZ$͠_9U>cYבנ_9U>cYف9ׁH!http://blackbreastfeedingweek.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉ECelebrating National Breastfeeding Month Tera Hamann, RN, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Broadlawns Medical Center August is National Breastfeeding Month, which aims improve maternal and child health by highlighting the benefits of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding provides many health benefits for both moms and newborns, babies and toddlers. Breast milk allows newborns to receive hormones, cells and antibodies which promote healthy development and can help protect babies from illnesses, especially before they are old enough to receive vaccinations, or develop their own immune system. Studies show that babies who breastfeed have lower rates of asthma, childhood leukemia, childhood obesity, diabetes, ear infections and lower respiratory infections. Breastfeeding also benefits mothers and can lower the risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, ovarian cancer and certain types of breast and reproductive cancers. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 2 out of 3 infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months—a rate that has not improved in 2 decades. Nearly 60% of mothers do not breastfeed for as long as they planned to, citing the following barriers: - Issues with lactation or latching - Concerns about infant nutrition or weight - Concern about taking medication while breastfeeding - Unsupportive work policies - Cultural norms or lack of support - Unsupportive hospital practices - Lack of knowledge to make educated decision National Breastfeeding Month works to raise awareness about these barriers to breastfeeding and advocate for societal changes to remove them. ׉ 7cassandra://HI5Pye94vHdeARDbTaf3UXI1iFqKtAZqdB75GuLfP5s%q`̵_9U>cY׉E National Breastfeeding Month concludes with Black Breastfeeding Week (August 25-31) which was created by three black mothers to respond to the gaping racial disparity in breastfeeding rates which has existed for over 40 years. CDC data shows that 75% of white women have ever breastfed versus 58.9% of black women. Black Breastfeeding Week founders Kimberly Seals Allers, Kiddada Green and Anayah Sangodele-Ayoka wanted to draw attention to the unique challenges black women face when they breastfeed as well as to celebrate and promote the fact that black women do, in fact, breastfeed. Black Breastfeeding Week highlights other areas of racial health disparity which could be positively impacted by breastfeeding including: - High black infant mortality rate: According to the CDC, the infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) in the United States is highest for black infants (10.7), followed by American Indian/ Alaska Natives (8.4), whites (4.9) and Asian/ Pacific Islanders (4.1). - High rates of diet-related disease: The black community sees higher rates of diet-related diseases and death than other racial and ethnic groups such upper respiratory infections, hypertension, type II diabetes, asthma and obesity. - Lack of diversity in lactation field: A predominantly white field, Black Breastfeeding Week works to encourage black women to enter the field while celebrating the breastfeeding champions in the black community. - Unique cultural barriers among black women: Black mothers face unique cultural barriers and a complex history connected to breastfeeding that deserves and receives special attention. - Food Desert-Like Conditions in Urban Communities: Many women cannot access the nourishment and support that they need for their bodies to best produce breast milk for their child. To learn more about Black Breastfeeding Week, or participate in the events that are planned, visit blackbreastfeedingweek.org or find them on Facebook @BlackBreastfeedingWeek. Broadlawns recognizes the importance of breastfeeding and is committed to supporting mothers and babies on their breastfeeding journey. We also support each mother’s decision to nourish her child in the way the works best for her. While there are many benefits from breastfeeding for both moms and babies, we know that breastfeeding may not be the right choice for all mothers and babies. Our certified lactation staff members are here to support you in whichever direction feels best for you. ׉ 7cassandra://onv_KmuNzzEa10tXliviqh6Idz7QzCTdINS5hQ-tXnM&C`̵_9U>cY_9U>cY{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://GjZUJo0N5yMunBv3G5TeEpGf9i1DzZH_GCGLaVK2NGc` ׉ 7cassandra://x722AsIXut0is6vV_oUpo_xIUvcYbAtkXROjv7w9dW0[`S׉ 7cassandra://Y3UCIwQCdXQY9Iuzfea3OhKacpCrJhNtHpUYWbYN_ZY7`̵׉ 7cassandra://9zfdyRz1Zh7wz4shBLs2rfZBtYn7wWh8LZiRZONoHUM ͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://b3CKpsxQj58_hz0b9p2S4ViPftzHAyp376unmyBMjAQL(` ׉ 7cassandra://wqBG13qmLZyOklc5me79j31k3OwhBgrdzoHB4_-wdI4U`S׉ 7cassandra://_QdLcVkSJSuca96YGenUOa7a-Q4Sq57QoL1OA4G8Vs8 `̵׉ 7cassandra://M1gE5xNkrt5oNNWRJ9Udsy17lWOYtG2T3T6aUBusDRgI(͠_9U>cYےנ_9U>cYށj9ׁHhttp://aarp.org/ia.ׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY݁3с̿9ׁHhttp://www.broadlawns.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E$We offer individual breastfeeding support and advice for pregnant moms considering breastfeeding, and those currently nursing. Broadlawns also offers free support to all mothers in our community through classes including: Mommy Matters: Breastfeeding Support Group, Breastfeeding Class, Pumping Class, Plus One Childbirth Education and Pregnancy & Postpartum Depression & Anxiety Support Group. In August 2020, Broadlawns is thrilled to be opening a new state-of-the-art Family Birthing Center which will expand access to nurturing and culturally sensitive maternity care for all members of our community. We invite you to learn more about Broadlawns’ Lactation Services, Women’s Health Clinic, Family Birthing Center or community classes and support groups by visiting www.broadlawns.org. 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://Y3UCIwQCdXQY9Iuzfea3OhKacpCrJhNtHpUYWbYN_ZY7`̵_9U>cY׉EECHOOSE TO REMEMBER by Terrance Haynes The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 35 ׉ 7cassandra://_QdLcVkSJSuca96YGenUOa7a-Q4Sq57QoL1OA4G8Vs8 `̵_9U>cY_9U>cY{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://ATnasIYYO5-mrpnBUgzruWM2n4Qx-NoOmFtBKhsL7Hwv` ׉ 7cassandra://QZq3qLHF9GLWK0I5yN_KYheNKVXd7FpJl5cPRuweNOw{=`S׉ 7cassandra://iML27rMoKQzV2Ap0Qos9K8BLfkJ4LML4ungQLa5q9g0`̵׉ 7cassandra://p6u8ViFQppReFfnCqEdXdJ5d-Mek6fnOxbDFnRqLE5g͉͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://iQFfBuLGABr45B81xDk5oRvJvoLGXTMuxtiUpFkdRtwBO` ׉ 7cassandra://UW67WpJj5A2UUiJvmdHs44HlGYoXFQ0lHR5t2H7k-NEbI`S׉ 7cassandra://5FwgDWkE5YrrbaCcruwkBvgyJbaa2MOCU_LZvFf9nFs"[`̵׉ 7cassandra://1deQqaCe_6srY5E9LmaTRvF5QD_U57mwScPYJg_sU8kpdd͠_9U>cYנ_9U>cY99ׁHhttps://www.facebook.com/ׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY{9ׁHhttps://urbancitymag.co/ׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cYŁ 9ׁH mailto:contactdsmurban@gmail.comׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY7:9ׁHhttp://ga.com/desׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY7%.9ׁHhttps://www.boׁ ׁ Ј׉E I’m not saying I don’t want you to stand with me now, but my BLACK LIFE MATTERED before you stood with the crowd and chanted, “hand up don’t shoot” and held banners that said that that MY BLACK LIFE MATTERED. If you had stood for me and with me before, George and James would not be dead. See most know Georges name because its on tv, and social media right now but few know James though BLACK LIVES MATTER now. James died by gun fire some said for standing for what he believed in, some said for a window that he didn’t break and even if he had is the death penalty the price for broken glass? It is disheartening to say the least that only now the police are willing to say there are those who they oppose who cross that thin blue line. From officer to murderer but there are those of they who crossed it every day committing murder after murder with blind eyes wide open, but until it was posted in its entirety on social media only BLACK LIVES knew it MATTERED. VIOLENCE IS NOT the answer but it spreads like a cancer because people would rather unify to set fires and loot instead of unifying to tell the truth that this MATTER of BLACK LIVES didn’t start and will not end with George or James. Its not the blame game its the truth until you dig down to the root and destroy it, to cut off a weed of evil at the base only prunes the weed to help it grow. We have been on the outside looking in being shunned for centuries from within with Oppression, depression, suppression, segregation, degradation, subversion you name it we have experienced it all. Though some others may have been appalled we were left to continue to fall by the wayside, in the daytime and at night. In an alley, in the street, in our homes, violently violated, annihilated, and wiped from the face of the earth. The illegitimate birth of a nation in secrecy doesn’t negate the pile of bloody rags festering in every corner. Oh no here we go again bringing up the past, even though we quote ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. ‘ (George Santayana-1905). We apparently quote it but still don’t believe it because when the true history of what seems to most to be a mystery begins to be uncovered, unfolded, unfiltered unfortunately the account is then recanted. Realizing the inevitable we suppress until provoked to the point when all reason is out the door. Again, not promoting VIOLENCE but silence is just as deadly especially when the silence comes from being bound and gagged. It’s sad to see human life so frivolously discarded and disregarded like weekly trash. Will, Emmit, Martin, Medger, Malcolm, Fred, Mark, Amadou, Trayvon, Freddie, Sandra, Michael, Philando, Atatiana, Botham, Ahmaud, Breonna, George, JAMES just to name a few, names who many knew and many more I can’t name. The real shame is on anyone who doesn’t know at least one. Because the history behind each one is sown into the fabric on our nation, we call great. We pride ourselves on history so let us not pretend its a mystery when history repeats itself because we choose not to remember. ׉ 7cassandra://iML27rMoKQzV2Ap0Qos9K8BLfkJ4LML4ungQLa5q9g0`̵_9U>cY׉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 $25 a month for the first year. Reach out to us at: contactdsmurban@gmail.com for more details. Urban City Magazine Howell Dixon Magazine/Podcast https://urbancitymag.co/ Ruby B’s Catering Bradley Family Restaurant 515) 681-4028 https://www.facebook.com/ rubybskitchen/ The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 37 ׉ 7cassandra://5FwgDWkE5YrrbaCcruwkBvgyJbaa2MOCU_LZvFf9nFs"[`̵_9U>cY_9U>cY{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://eMgEPT1rsgJ_Mj-kPpDS1ybW2YJ_9tyTLKOhb15CRQ8f` ׉ 7cassandra://5v3MjzuqBmfZQKbMcC23qzC_4cBOLZO2QqJzGMwDLrIf`S׉ 7cassandra://pCTPkEmqb3TZxQUN6KQyqVM4gVV7p3qlFKioG3rG6Eg"`̵׉ 7cassandra://B_V2J-Z3CnjNeV1k9_Dd1nDrXjO5ODs89VxSdI1D8VQ͈͠_9U>cYט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://rghUZ6Ine_5mNffp826Km3XuI0OXkPRKv83Uylh9O0I]` ׉ 7cassandra://QV1unIV59B0pBjnmp0VTJuxpezQWYmSAhDqd8D5yLNkd`S׉ 7cassandra://ZkJY01Ap-7w7I89Q_ifk4iFrB1WxLynoxFm7WMlE5oQ#`̵׉ 7cassandra://F72zi1V5g1EwgyUibV5YXws_ZpRRPuPUq1pJbAu6mS4J*(͠_9U>cYנ_9U>cYG19ׁHhttps://www.facebook.com/DsmSoׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY9ׁH http://www.iowanebraskanaacp.orgׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY,9ׁHhttps://www.naacpdesmoines.org/ׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY9ׁH$http://www.asheasley.myportfolio.comׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY̴9ׁHhttp://www.vanesther.comׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cYk9ׁHhttp://www.iowajuneteenth.comׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY&E@9ׁH!https://www.facebook.com/ma.vs.73ׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY&Á29ׁH https://www.facebook.com/groups/ׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY&W9ׁH)https://www.rootstobranchesgenealogy.com/ׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY&Ձ9ׁH,https://www.facebook.com/TranZitionsBeautySaׁ ׁ Јנ_9U>cY&bq9ׁH)https://hiphopeinc.wixsite.com/hiphopeincׁ ׁ Ј׉EHip 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 Advertising is Changing Digital Campaigns Urban Experience Can help you run a successful Digitla Campaign. Work with our experts to reach 400,000+ leads. ׉ 7cassandra://pCTPkEmqb3TZxQUN6KQyqVM4gVV7p3qlFKioG3rG6Eg"`̵_9U>cY׉EBe Positive. Be Kind. Be Blessed. Be Safe! The world is going through a storm but all storms must come to an end! We want you to know that we are here if you need us. We want to make sure that you have all the necessary resources to help you through this pandemic. Many companies have been joining forces to provide families and businesses with the essentials they need. Please feel free to email us with any questions or concerns you may have and we will do our best to help! The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 39 ׉ 7cassandra://ZkJY01Ap-7w7I89Q_ifk4iFrB1WxLynoxFm7WMlE5oQ#`̵_9U>cY_9U>cY{בCט{u׉׉ 7cassandra://YOPB4U6dPwKkiIajmEvP5759Bn5UcMihojcnCZ-jd6c` ׉ 7cassandra://0i5XuAS57yxuQisIK7P-_6ztd10ngjM6uZU70TGssqYa`S׉ 7cassandra://W8ZPgrDv3EmVbB1-3ur3njxDPxRIMmDigRPOTsU2iTM'9`̵׉ 7cassandra://zNFTXlil4GivNVts3Oc1t5wmvdLlwSz_fi3Hik8h7Doc1 ͠_9U>cYנ_9U>cYm49ׁHhttp://www.broadlawns.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉EzNEW FAMILY BIRTHING CENTER OPENING MID-AUGUST 1801 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA (515) 282-2340 • www.broadlawns.org • ׉ 7cassandra://W8ZPgrDv3EmVbB1-3ur3njxDPxRIMmDigRPOTsU2iTM'9`̵_9U>cY׈E_9U>cY_9U>cY{,UE August 2020 editionOCheck out the August edition of the Urban Experience Magazine. Debra Carr writes about 8 Ideas to Consider When Teaching Black Students. Hola America celebrates 20 years written by Quad-City News. Angela Jackson highlights artist Jacob Lawerence and Broadlawns brings you important health information. Share this magazine with others! _9(QB