In 2016, the City of Iowa City applied for and received an African American Civil Rights Grant from the National Park Service for a two-part project. The first was to nominate two buildings in Iowa City associated with African American housing equity during the Civil Rights Era to the National Register of Historic Places. The second was to create educational signage for these two buildings, as well as provide print and digital media educational materials. The two buildings are the Iowa Federation Home, located at 942 Iowa Ave., and Tate Arms, located at 914 S. Dubuque St.
Both houses are being recognized because they provided off-campus dormitory-style housing for African American students during a time when the University of Iowa barred them from living on campus and housing was difficult for Black students to find due to racial discrimination. One specific incident of racial discrimination in housing occurred in 1921, when a “powerful but sinister organization,” possibly a local branch of the Ku Klux Klan or a similar white supremacist organization, outbid the University’s chapter of the Black fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi, preventing them from purchasing a site for their chapter house. Learn more here.
Youth Human Rights Awards
The City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission is now accepting nominations for its Youth Human Rights Awards. This annual event celebrates the impactful contributions of local youth who have advanced human rights causes, whether locally or abroad.
Awards Criteria:
The Human Rights Commission is seeking to honor young individuals who have demonstrated creativity and initiative beyond the typical classroom or pre-organized activities. Nominations should focus on additional efforts made by youth to address human rights issues, and activities that stem from classwork or organized events are welcomed, provided they go beyond what was initially planned.
Deadline for Nominations:
All nominations must be received by Monday, April 21, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
The Lens Webinar Series - Insubordination
The February Lens Webinar Series will feature author Shirley Moody-Turner. In this talk, Dr. Moody-Turner will discuss her biography-in-progress on trailblazing Black educator Anna Julia Cooper and her recent Washington Post article, “Punished for Leading: How the Black Female Head of a DC School was Punished for Leading,” (free to read by creating a Washington Post account or using an ICPL card). She’ll examine what was at stake in the battles over Black education at the turn of the twentieth century and how the national ascendency of Jim Crow segregation played out in local politics affecting the lives of Black Washingtonians. Most importantly, she’ll explore Anna Julia Cooper’s “Courageous Revolt” against Jim Crow education and show how Cooper was punished for doing the work she was hired to do. This webinar is co-sponsored by the Iowa City Public Library.
How to register to watch:
Pre-registration is required. Sign up at this link.
Questions or accommodations:
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all City of Iowa City–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the Office of Equity and Human Rights in advance at 319-356-5022 or humanrights@iowa-city.org.
John Lewis Youth Leadership Award - 2025 Nominations Now Open
The late Rep. John Lewis in front of an exhibition devoted to his life at Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, April 2019. Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal- Constitution/Associated Press
The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office is now accepting nominations for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award. Each year, Secretary Paul Pate recognizes two young community leaders for their civic-minded efforts and work toward positive change.
To be eligible, candidates must be aged 25 or younger and actively involved in making a difference in their community.
Do you know someone who would be a great fit for this recognition? Nominations can be submitted here.
Creating Accessibility-Informed Events
The Accessibility-Informed Events and Programming Guide is designed to equip event organizers with the tools needed to plan events that are accessible to all attendees.
This guide was collectively authored by the University of Iowa campus community to ensure inclusivity and equal access for everyone. You can download the guide here.
Spring University of Iowa Center for Human Rights Webinar Series
Join the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights (UICHR) for a three-part webinar series centered on the role of human rights in moving from conflict to lasting peace. Expert panelists will discuss approaches to ending conflict, the challenges of accountability and reconciliation, and models for building lasting peace.
The webinar series takes place from noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, with Mitigating Conflict & Ending Hostilities. Moderated by UICHR Associate Director Brian Farrell, this roundtable discussion will explore strategies and models for bringing violent conflict to a close. Panelists include Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen and Professor Sara McLaughlin Mitchell. The series continues Wednesday, March 26 and Wednesday, April 30. All webinars are from noon to 1 p.m.
Trip Connect Virtual Lunch & Learn
Join Johnson County Social Services for a virtual lunch and learn from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, to explore Trip Connect, Johnson County's new transportation service for accessing employment, education, and childcare in the evenings.
During this online session, attendees will learn about the background of Trip Connect, its operating hours and locations, and how to access the service. Webcams are optional.
The event is free and open to the public, including riders, human services agencies, employers, and more.
Mayor Pro Tem Mazahir Salih presents Commissioner Roger Lusala with a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Proclamation.
Commission Chair Kollasch presents outgoing Commissioner Jahnavi Pandya with an award for her service to the commission.
(L-R) Coralville Library Community Resources Navigator Samira Abdalla, Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague, Human Rights Commissioner and Mariam Girls Club Executive Director Viana Qadoura. Mayor Teague proclaimed Feb. 1, 2025, as World Hijab Day. Abdalla and Qadoura accepted the proclamation.
Questions or accommodations
If you have questions or need disability-related accommodations to participate in any of our programs, contact the office at 319-356-5022 or humanrights@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
