Iowa City Human Rights Commission presents 'White Privilege 101: Getting in on the Conversation’

Monday, May 24, 2021 - 4:00pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

What does white privilege mean and how does it impact all of us personally, professionally, and systemically? This program consists of a film that compiles personal interviews and presentations by experts, followed by a Q&A session with Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. and small group discussions. Join the Johnson County Chapter of the United Nations Association, and the Iowa City Human Rights Commission to screen White Privilege 101: Getting in on the Conversation.

This virtual event will be held via Zoom from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, June 3, 2021.

How to participate...

A sign with a rainbow background and the phrase 'It's a matter of Pride Iowa City' is shown.

Iowa City Pride yard signs available for free at City Hall

Monday, May 24, 2021 - 9:00am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights
Note: The City is currently our of Pride signs. This will be updated when new signs arrive.

June is Pride Month, so the City’s Office of Equity and Human Rights is offering free Pride yard signs available for Iowa City residents for pick up at City Hall. Please be advised that City Hall offices are still closed for regular business, but signs will be available at the front lobby information desk.

The reusable sign is waterproof, making it perfect for any home or business outdoor space. Display your Iowa City Pride by simply inserting the included H stake into the...

Racial equity tracker available for businesses

Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - 9:00am
Equity and Human Rights

The past year has seen an unprecedented focus on equity. Between disproportionate effects of the pandemic on People of Color and shocking cases of brutality against Black Americans and Asian American Pacific Islanders, a renewed national conversation regarding systemic racism has begun. Corporate leaders, especially, have become increasingly aware that the way they do business can either promote or hinder racial equity. But how do leaders and consumers know if a business is driving change or taking a back seat? JUST Capital, a platform for measuring corporate performance, has launched an...

Join us for a book discussion of “On Juneteenth”

Tuesday, May 11, 2021 - 12:00pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

In honor of Juneteenth, the Johnson County Juneteenth Planning Committee invite you to participate in a book discussion featuring “On Juneteenth” by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and Texas native Annette Gordon-Reed.

Weaving together American history, dramatic family chronicle, and searing episodes of memoir, "On Juneteenth" provides a historian’s view of the country’s long road to Juneteenth, recounting both its origins in Texas and the enormous hardships that African-Americans have endured in the century since, from Reconstruction through Jim Crow and beyond....

A graphic that reads Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Mayor Bruce Teague proclaims May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Iowa City

Wednesday, May 5, 2021 - 3:30pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

Mayor Bruce Teague proclaimed May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Iowa City during the Tuesday, May 4, 2021 City Council meeting. The full proclamation, which can be read on our website , celebrates the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.

In 1977, Congress passed, and President Jimmy Carter signed, a joint resolution designating the first ten days of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Week. This ten days was...

A graphic for the Power, Privilege, and Leadership virtual training.

City offers free virtual training on power, privilege, & leadership

Friday, April 30, 2021 - 8:00am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The City's Office of Equity and Human Rights will be hosting an online training addressing the issues of privilege from 1 p.m. -4 p.m. on Thursday, May 6, 2021.

This interactive, informational, and challenging session will examine and explore issues related to power, privilege and leadership. It’s imperative that those promoting equity and diversity “get in on the conversations” about systemic change and progress. Participants will leave the session with the skills and knowledge necessary to begin addressing issues of privilege, power and leadership comprehensively.

This is...

A graphic that reads: April Is Arab-American Heritage Month

Mayor proclaims April as Arab-American Heritage Month

Friday, April 9, 2021 - 1:00pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague has proclaimed the month of April as Arab-American Heritage Month in Iowa City.

According to ArabAmerica.com , It was first celebrated in the 1990s, primarily in school districts. Since then, it has grown to be recognized increasingly by states, cities, and school districts across the country. In 2017, Arab America, a media and educational resource organization dedicated to portraying the Arab community in the United Sates, began an initiative to designate the month as a national holiday.

Arab...

Graphic for Real Talk.

#RealTalk #RealSolutions virtual program on race, gender, and violence now available

Friday, April 9, 2021 - 8:45am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The City's Office of Equity & Human Rights is offering an online training for area businesses and organizations. There is no charge to participate in this virtual event.

The #RealTalk #RealSolutions program will be presented by Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. and Dr. Marguerite W. Penick-Parks. The virtual event will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 29, 2021, and is scheduled to end at 4 p.m.

How do you have the tough conversations during difficult times? This interactive, informational, challenging, and energetic session examines and explores issues related to...

A cartoon depicting housing discrimination is shown.

Fair Housing Month recognized by Office of Equity & Human Rights

Thursday, April 8, 2021 - 10:00am
Contact: 
Kristin Watson
Equity and Human Rights

Fair Housing Month is an annual, month-long celebration of the signing of the Fair Housing Act on April 11, 1968, by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Office of Equity and Human Rights is recognizing the month in a variety of ways.

Utility bills will include an insert explaining a person’s fair housing rights in Iowa City. A video training eligible for certification of one hour of fair housing training is available 24/7 online . Finally, in collaboration...
A graphic with cartoon humans of different skin colors used to promote the City's Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant.

City announces SJRE grant recipients for FY21

Wednesday, April 7, 2021 - 10:00am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

In 2017, the City Council created the Social Justice and Racial Equity (SJRE) Grant to assist community-based organizations in building capacity to address social justice and racial equity needs. In Fiscal Year 2019, the City tripled the SJRE Grant funding, allocating it $75,000 yearly since then.

The grant is available to for-profit and non-profit Iowa City-based organizations to fund programs, activities, or services that help eliminate inequities in the community. The grant lists six priority service areas: education, building community, housing, criminal justice, health, and...

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