׉?4ׁB!בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://6fgsdNBB1pA8mC3MIFqdaRhiMPlTcLApsP5STx982jIt`׉ 7cassandra://7Hmi0EwwiNvt5lnA49icBu-OSHPAeKTjriBV2ScWRDsi`s׉ 7cassandra://VuOZ9ZCuXTZEYpp_fvszx4C-KM1eDRija0T00Ar2MA8'`׉ 7cassandra://VgJvl2yPIPGBu60a8J-Kw6XQnHkTjfSeWEVBhoSqpgs !`͠]bB5ט(u׈CNSvu׈EbB5w׉EAugust 2022 Inside ✛ Unmet Needs ✛ Courageous Truths: Deja's Way Out? ✛ Humanitarian Service Award Happy Black Business Month! ׉ 7cassandra://VuOZ9ZCuXTZEYpp_fvszx4C-KM1eDRija0T00Ar2MA8'`bB5xbB5w(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://HKOe2ob1fq997oDVBnzEbYJFBtYww4HfBPEQNxNfy4QE`iq׉ 7cassandra://iiHOBGAtC77NbQJu0BBj0EnuLM-dXdY1-Cs-udTVpJIͽ`׉ 7cassandra://Noilq-fmo2SIOBAIm4-T2aE1C6SwFPqzbPSeVLbj4K4C`׉ 7cassandra://8uLY_hLPphSnAKNgjK2tA5IsadYCeVr_IZZKI3u4Usg T͠ bB5׉EWRITERS & STAFF Editor-In-Chief Dwana Bradley Copy Editor Virgina Smith Contributors Creative Director Nikki Goldman - LosRos Graphix Donnetta Austin Debra Carr Courageous Fire Angela Jackson Celeste Lawson Gary Lawson Bert Moody Lori Young Caleb Thomas Lenore Metrick-Chen MAGAZINE OUTLETS Central Library 1000 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309 DMACC Urban Campus 1100 7th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314 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 Johnston Library 6700 Merle Hay Rd. Johnston, Iowa 50131 Northside Library 3516 5th Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 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 Urban Dreams 601 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50314 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 Slow Down Coffee Co. 3613 6th Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50313 ׉ 7cassandra://Noilq-fmo2SIOBAIm4-T2aE1C6SwFPqzbPSeVLbj4K4C`bB5y׉E.SUMMARY EDITORS MESSAGE 4 6 8 8 22 24 3 SEX AND THE CHURCH TOO TABOO COURAGEOUS TRUTHS: DEJA'S WAY OUT? 12 UNMET NEEDS 14 CULTURE BEGINS WITH CUISINE 18 THE SPIRIT THAT MADE THE GRUBB YMCA 22 ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION:IOWA CHAPTER 24 HUMANITARIAN AWARD 26 WORK BY WANGECHI MUTU 28 SUPREME COURT DECISION bB5zbB5y(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://O-vX6WtymVC7D2dTrai570IPBZSayrtYCj_yQmkM2_g1 `iq׉ 7cassandra://u0-Luutzn8ZLphpBINRoSH1mGCaarbtNdtWMgavVFuU`׉ 7cassandra://3pJb9HXDOKOKhu6PYyz4yIgxWnj2_3oN0DRle9sjLpYM`׉ 7cassandra://qHdTq7tG-qToPj7GPcwjY-QwMhdqd0t0xMXotqJtDvQǨ4͠ bB5׉E GET THE URBAN EXPERIENCE Dwana Bradley Editor in Chief I can remember my dad saying he wanted to start a magazine. The thoughts that ran through my head lacked confidence. I could think of all the reasons why his idea made no sense. I had no journalistic experience; I was working a full-time job as a teacher along with raising my young kids at the time. As the doubts continued to fill my brain, I replaced my doubts with confidence and a why not attitude. I got a mentor and started to research magazines across the country. On February 1, 2015, The Des Moines Urban Experience Now the Urban Experience Magazine was a reality. I left teaching in 2016 and my faith walk began. At the time I did not have income or health insurance. I humbled myself many times for assistance just to make it. I made the tough decision to move me and my kids back with my parents and started the entrepreneurial journey. The journey I was on was rough. I loved the freedom of setting my own hours, but as an entrepreneur no work no pay. Being an entrepreneur isn’t about the workload being less it is about what you put into it is what you get. There were so many times I wanted to give up. The discipline it took and still takes to run a business is relentless but worth more than the regular 9-5 could pay. I currently run The Des Moines Urban Experience a nonprofit which has custodianship of Iowa Juneteenth and Iowa Urban Media a Black owned media company which publishes a monthly publication Urban Experience Magazine and Urban Impact Show a weekly live show focusing on African Americans and the issues that impact the culture. August is Black Business Month. This month was founded by historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick G. Jordan Sr. in August 2004 to highlight Black entrepreneurs and to support their businesses. There are currently 134,567 Black of African American owned businesses in the United States (US Census). This number continues to increase as we have seen numbers rise since covid. Many started businesses during the pandemic. To all my business owners out there doing your thing keep it going. It’s not always easy but the work your doing is necessary, your valued and appreciated. If I can ever be a resource to you or connect you with anyone, please don’t hesitate to reach out. The one thing that keeps me going is something I tell myself often. There is no competition only purpose and every day I am living out my purpose. It provides me joy, fulfillment, and peace. Happy Black Business Month ׉ 7cassandra://3pJb9HXDOKOKhu6PYyz4yIgxWnj2_3oN0DRle9sjLpYM`bB5{׉E5 bB5|bB5{(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://AKOGAW77oUoKyarIHiCxDYnL6q6XWgEcrgZxN11WfNM[`iq׉ 7cassandra://_El2c98V3D4QGLnZeC33agEfr_mxznwkBb5NWUE6vQ8D`׉ 7cassandra://DvQPjPtJntcZr4eECr-o1TALaYDu9y3s3KFeT8n0p8E;G`׉ 7cassandra://nyv3OkuNdm3iG6slnlz_Gr_fSzDe8jRMlSIHJL10B4k͠ bB5֓נbB5Ձ ԁ9׉Hhttps://www.thomasacc.com/Gׁ ׁ rנbB5ځ̸9ׁHmailto:caleb@thomasacc.comׁ ׁ ЈנbB5فԁ{9ׁHhttp://thomasacc.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E^Mental Health: Written By: Caleb Thomas M.A. LMHC SEX AND THE CHURCH TOO TABOO TO TALK ABOUT? ׉ 7cassandra://DvQPjPtJntcZr4eECr-o1TALaYDu9y3s3KFeT8n0p8E;G`bB5~׉EH ave you noticed most churches aren’t talking about sex in the church, I believe this is where these conversations should begin? As Believers in Christ, many churches consider this topic too taboo to talk about, however, just speaking for myself I wish I would have had someone to talk to me honestly about sex, instead of learning about it from tv, peers, or dirty magazines. At some point a child or teen is going to want to know about sex. When it comes to sex, people are in one of these categories, they are either having sex, or they are thinking about sex, or they are wondering what sex is. Most parents have a timeline of when to talk to their kids about “the birds and the bees.” Many times parents find out their kids or teens already know about sex, and some may have already experienced some form of sex, either through masturbation, penetration, oral sex or other form of sexual contact.. It is vitally important to talk to your kids at an early age and let them know God created sex. Sex is holy and should only be done within the matrimony of marriage, between a man and a woman. That said, we all have the same enemy called Satan who comes to kill, steal, and destroy, this enemy takes what God has created for good and turns it around for destruction or an evil outcome. For example: we have adults having sex with kids which is known as Pedophilia, this form of sex is destructive and illegal. If you or someone you know is struggling with pedophilia, please seek help immediately. Adults touching kids or persuading kids in this way will eventually come to light. The Bible tells us what is done in secret will be brought to the light. Help is available. Remember, God is willing and able to deliver you and set you free from this demonic orchestrated evil. Another sexual act done outside of marriage is called fornication. The marriage bed is to be kept undefiled, yet we have men and women cheating on their spouses, this is called Adultery. Other sexual acts that go against the Word of God, is individuals performing a sexual act on themselves called masturbation. Some of us are animal lovers, super cool, however some people have sex with animals, this is called Bestiality. Another abomination is individuals of the same sex engaging in sex with each other, this is called Homosexuality. God created man and woman with a purpose in mind, the only God ordained way to have sexual intimacy is through marriage between a man and a woman. It is worth waiting for God to send you a spouse that will be the best match made under Heaven. I am not making this up, it is the Word of God and you have a chance and a choice starting now to accept or reject this truth. The Supreme Court recently overturned Roe vs Wade. We all have our different opinions, however, I will say God’s word trumps all opinions. God is the Creator of life itself and defines when life begins in the womb. The question is how to help those who are facing a hard situation, be it an unwanted pregnancy, or being raped by an individual or a relative (incest), this is very tragic for any woman or young girl to face. What choices do women/young girls have?. Abortion or life, God’s desire is for you to choose life even in these circumstances. This may not be an easy decision, yet there are many women who chose to keep the baby that could have been aborted, regardless of the terrible event that conception took place, other women have chosen to give the baby up for adoption. The Bible tells us in Genesis 50: 19-20 “Fear not; for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive”. I want to encourage women and underage girls, how you conceived the unborn child may not have been your choice, all is not lost when you trust God who can turn around what the enemy meant for evil and turn it for good. Some of you may be thinking it’s old fashioned or outdated to wait till marriage to engage in sex it’s my body, my choice or it’s too late now you may be thinking. Yes, God gives us a choice and we can choose to do things His way or our own way. I can tell you from one who chose to do it their way, that God’s way is so much better. God Loves you and forgives all who come to Him. Feel free to contact our office for questions you have or needing help in challenging times such as these. Thank you Caleb Thomas M.A. LMHC 319-206-0651 thomasacc.com caleb@thomasacc.com Thomas & Associates Counseling & Consulting Counseling with a God given purpose! 7 bB5bB5~(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://QtqpouZnPB8HwSGkm-NCkAAryK2U_F_lWanKqH3MlmI`iq׉ 7cassandra://VK4URnxboAwO-biL6eohaWgH5VRnd-QDXzAV4xmFbmk`׉ 7cassandra://mS35tOGG3lRHpGvAc9OEfolFcSVuPiEAjugGAgt5yPoI`׉ 7cassandra://bzFjJcWxc4u2avW91GReBwB_HgAz9_LRxN67JLS1Wsc r͠ bC5ۑנbC5̛9ׁHhttp://BlackburnCenter.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E%T Courageous TR UTHS DEJA'S WAY OUT? ׉ 7cassandra://mS35tOGG3lRHpGvAc9OEfolFcSVuPiEAjugGAgt5yPoI`bB5Ā׉E mTR UTHS W ***WARNING: DETAILS OF ABUSE IN THIS ARTICLE. MAY BE TRIGGERING. PLEASE USE SELF-CARE.*** by a fictitious Black man (Denzel)2 brothers? No. Unfortunately, according to BlackburnCenter.org 2020 article here are the staggering numbers3 : • More than 40% of all Black women experience some type of domestic violence (DV) within our lifetimes ▷ 53.8% of us experience psychological abuse ▷ 41.2% of us experience physical abuse • We are 2.5 times more likely to be murdered by men than our whyte female counterparts ▷ 92% of these criminals know their victim ▶ 56% of the 92% were committed by a former or current intimate partner ▶ Nearly all of the 92% were committed by a Black man against a Black woman After reading those statistics and reading the first 7 months’ articles this year, it can be overwhelming at this point. It may seem hopeless. However, the last 5 months of this year, starting with this month, you will see that is NOT the case! Yes, the trap is difficult to see, deep to fall into, but… THERE IS A WAY OUT! This month through the end of the year, we’re going to continue to look at Deja’s story and discover how to walk our Black sisters right on out of the trap of DV and the specific ways that it entangles us as Black women. HERE WE GO. Just as our sister, 40-year-old Deja, was dizzily swirling in the cycle of accusations, silent treatments, sexual coercion, elcome to the August edition of Courageous Truths, Beloved! You’ve stomached hearing the predatory exploits of the perpetrator of abuse against a fictitious Black woman (Deja)1 . Am I picking on our Black spiritual bullying, yelling outbursts, and what seemed like hundreds maybe even thousands of conflicting but emotionally intense apologies, moments of clarity, and tears (yes, he laid those on thick), Deja’s job had a women’s empowerment lunch ‘n learn. A woman from the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence4 and a woman from Courageous Fire, LLC did a virtual presentation on: 1. Hidden yet common types of DV Black women face5 Courageous talked about: a. Verbal abuse b. Psychological abuse c. Sexual coercion within marriage d. Stalking, including digital e. Spiritual abuse f. Economic abuse g. Revenge porn h. Coercive control 2. The National Domestic Violence Hotline. Courageous talked about how they can: a. Confirm what domestic violence is b. The specific type(s) the person calling is dealing with c. Help them find up-to-date resources in their specific area for HELP d. Provide safety plan6 guidance 3. DV Advocates. The Coalition’s representative talked about how they can: a. Help with getting Crime Victim’s Compensation - financial support to access the community supports and/or financial support to get safety; for example, relocation, payment of lost wages, etc. b. Help with getting you and your children connected to local resources - filling out forms, finding daycare, tutors for your school age children, etc. 4. A book, “Domestic Violence, Assault on a Woman’s Worth”7 . Courageous talked about how it: a. Made it clear that even biblically, DV is not okay b. Made it clear that God scripturally does NOT expect women to live in abuse to please him c. Made it clear that men who truly love God and love their mates will NOT abuse them Deja’s soul flatlined as she listened. Her mind flitted from one question to the next? “Where has this information been?!” 9 . bB5ābB5Ā(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://f7cerbd3KH8bEOX4kSx0GzKxgkp-QADiiiDOJO8ePuMU`iq׉ 7cassandra://kuZbJ43kBZUO8aBwXNoMk0mCp8cvAp__5Dm-sN_cqSY``׉ 7cassandra://vZMG9qLWzd7R1Jf760abJZBTnTFK058XDtTcUGqR9noF`׉ 7cassandra://1q8UEBqiPeThQSsmvuWGzq3avAz_nzfDO7vG6Xj0mTM͠ bC5נbC5ށH̼9׉H+https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWkoGNVvnBcGׁ ׁ rנbC5߁̽9׉H+https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmZqgX9ycHUGׁ ׁ rנbC5Ň9׉H+https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-ezkv3fFnYGׁ ׁ rנbC5 3A9׉H+https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-ezkv3fFnYGׁ ׁ rנbC5:uG9׉Hqhttps://eleven-24.org/education#:~:text=%2BRelationship%20Abuse%20%26%20Sexual,Building%20Healthy%20RelationshipsGׁ ׁ rנbC5A99׉H4https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4483007Gׁ ׁ rנbC5K9׉H