Empowerment Symposium speakers discuss overcoming barriers, navigating setbacks

On Sept. 19 and 20, a diverse group of professionals from Eastern Iowa converged at the Graduate by Hilton Iowa City for the first annual Empowerment Symposium: Inspiring Black & Brown Professionals to Lead. Held by Black Professionals of Iowa and M.O.G.U.L. Consulting, the symposium featured leaders from different industries tackling subjects covering leadership, marketing, economic development, financing, workplace racism and mental health. In an interview a month prior to the symposium, event organizer and Black Professionals of Iowa co-founder Tasha Lard highlighted the challenges Black entrepreneurs and professionals face, particularly with limited access to economic resources, essential connections and workplace racism. “There's a lot of things that we face here in Iowa that we just probably wouldn't face anywhere else, especially being that the percentage of African Americans here in Iowa is still a very, very low number,” she said. Seeing the need for professional community, Ms. Lard founded Black Professionals of Iowa with Raphael Robertson, CEO of Robertson Branding Company. “I want to create something that we all can come together, have fun and get to know each other, because there are a lot of us in this community that are doing amazing things that I don't even know (about), and I'm sure that they don't either,” she said, of starting the organization.

Building connections through leadership

Bruce Teague, Iowa City Mayor and founder of home health care services company Caring Hands & More, took the podium on Thursday as the keynote speaker. Mr. Teague highlighted the vital role of community action and leadership, recounting his journey from launching Caring Hands and More LLC two decades ago with three employees operating out of a mobile home to now leading a team of 106 employees. He stressed the power of words, the need for self-care, and the importance of balancing work with personal life, while underscoring the value of showing up for others and sustaining meaningful connections.

“Words have power,” Mr. Teague told the audience, underscoring the profound impact of self-talk on shaping one’s reality. Reflecting on the trials he faced while launching his business, he acknowledged the weight of responsibility that comes with managing others' livelihoods and the complexities of financial oversight. “Being in business, you do need to know enough to be dangerous,” he remarked, even with subjects that business owners may not be proficient in. He emphasized the importance of visualization, sharing how the sight of an empty seat on the Iowa City council motivated him to pursue a campaign for city council. “Sometimes you’ve got to see it before you see it,” he advised, urging the audience to remain open to new opportunities and to cultivate supportive relationships. Addressing mental health, Mr. Teague spoke candidly about his past struggles with depression, introducing his personal mantra, “I am awesome and amazing,” as a vital reminder to prioritize self-care. He advocated for the importance of “showing up” in both leadership and everyday interactions, particularly with marginalized communities, highlighting the need for balance between professional ambitions and personal connections. He shared poignant insights from end-of-life patients, who often express regret not for missed work achievements, but for time not spent with loved ones. “Don’t live this ladder-of-success life,” he cautioned the audience, emphasizing the importance of nurturing relationships over ambition. Concluding his remarks, Mr. Teague addressed the intentional effort required for effective team-building, stressing the necessity of clear communication and a firm understanding of both personal and company goals. “Teams don’t magically happen,” Mr. Teague explained. “There’s intentionality involved. You have to communicate the process, state the outcome, and clarify how people will get there.” His advice was practical: “Be very specific in what you want. Know your personal goals, and know your company’s goals.”

Breakout sessions cover wide range of topics

Symposium attendees, representing cities as far as Waterloo and Davenport, alongside a significant local contingent from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, shared their expectations for the day ahead. Monique Washington, a victim advocate and homicide specialist who works out of Cedar Rapids, was eager to attend sessions on business startups and leadership development, while also looking forward to networking with other African Americans in Iowa. “I work with people who never thought they’d be in their position, and I want to help them learn to move forward,” she said. Dream City Executive Director and Founder Frederick Newell, from Iowa City, had a difficult time deciding which breakout session he wanted to attend, as they all seemed applicable to his current work with the organization. The insights from Mayor Teague were inspiring, he said, and he was “looking forward to the connections – I’ve met people here I’ve never met before.” Six breakout sessions were held between the keynote speakers, with panels composed of local leaders representing sectors spanning health care, community leadership, economic development and more. Moderating the workforce panel that discussed diversity, equity and inclusion and workplace racism was Marcus Cooper, president of the board for Black Professionals of Iowa and certified surgical technologist.

Panelists included Stefanie Munsterman, executive director of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission; Carla Anderson, chair of the City of Dubuque’s Equity and Human Rights Commission; and Geneva Williams-Smith, assistant Tama County attorney. The panelists expressed frustration with the lack of representation and opportunities for people of color, the increasing complexity of discrimination cases, and the rise of anti-DEI sentiments locally and nationwide. “Working in state of Iowa's predominantly white (demographic), there is, at times, the lack of sympathy, empathy of the situations that we go through as people of color,” said Mr. Cooper, who said there is a stark lack of representation within the medical sector. There has been a notable rise in discrimination cases, both in Cedar Rapids and nationwide, noted Ms. Munsterman, with increases in complaints reported by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) by 10% and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by 6%. Cases being prolonged have surged by over 60%, and the trend shows no signs of slowing. “Not only (do) we see an increase in cases being filed, we're seeing an increase in the complexity of the cases in which there's multiple ways in which they're discriminated (against),” she said, including harassment, retaliation, refusal to hire and refusal to give promotions. The panel highlighted the need for proactive solutions, calling for greater self-reliance and the creation of spaces for marginalized communities. Stressing the power of collective action, education, and the preservation of cultural heritage as essential tools to help future generations confront and surmount these enduring challenges, the panelists urged continued vigilance in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, warning against complacency and discussing fatigue in the face of persistent obstacles. “What we have to do as a community is build spaces where we can lean on each other, share war stories with each other, share solutions with each other,” said Ms. Williams-Smith, who said there will always be people pushing for regression. “It is exhausting," she said, of the pushback. The Economic Development panel featured Coralville Mayor Meghann Foster, Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly and former Iowa City Deputy City Manager Redmond Jones. Moderated by Sarika Bhakta, president of Nikeya Diversity Consulting LLC, the discussion shed light on the critical role of leadership in addressing pressing community issues, with an emphasis on trust, accessibility, and active community engagement in governance. Panelists shared examples of local initiatives aimed at balancing economic growth with equity, including efforts to ensure affordable housing and support small businesses owned by underrepresented communities. Mr. AbouAssaly recently underscored a key update to city policy aimed at fostering inclusivity. Last year, city staff, in collaboration with the city clerk, systematically replaced the term "citizen" with "resident" throughout the city’s code.

While "citizen" remains appropriate in specific contexts, such as when referring to voters, Mr. AbouAssaly pointed out that its broader use can be exclusionary. By transitioning to the term "resident," the city intends to create a more inclusive environment for all who live there, regardless of citizenship status. This language shift is part of the city’s ongoing commitment to being a community of belonging, he asserted. “That makes a statement to people that we're a city that's inclusionary, and we are a city of belonging, and we care about everybody that lives here,” he said. Ms. Foster recounted a recent experience that underscored the difficulties non-English speakers face when interacting with city services. While meeting with a community group at City Hall, a business owner seeking a sound permit struggled with forms available only in English.

Ms. Foster, along with city staff, helped her navigate the process, but the language barrier remained an issue. This experience underscored the importance of offering city materials in multiple languages, despite state laws that limit some forms to English. The incident reinforced Ms. Foster’s commitment to making city services more inclusive. City leaders are “always looking at each system and trying to figure out and listening and learning about what those barriers are, and looking for ways that we can get around those,” she said. The conversation also touched on broader systemic challenges, such as racial capitalism and economic disparities, underscoring their impact on wealth distribution and access to resources. The panel concluded with a call for continued collaboration among city leaders, urging a commitment to inclusive policies and fostering welcoming environments through strong community ties.

Persisting through obstacles

Closing out Thursday’s event was keynote speaker Randy Moore, 15-year president of Iowa American Water and current senior vice president of strategic programs with American Water. Mr. Moore delivered a powerful and personal speech, highlighting the critical role of leadership, perseverance, and the ability to seize unexpected opportunities. Drawing on his family's history, which spans eight generations back to his enslaved ancestors, Mr. Moore expressed how this legacy has instilled in him a deep sense of pride and responsibility. He called on people of color to take up leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of representation and the strength that comes from it. “We’re better together,” he said, reiterating the phrase throughout his speech.

He reflected on his 40-year career in the water utility sector, discussing his journey through various leadership positions that provided a backdrop for his message that opportunities don’t always come when or how they are expected—but readiness and preparation are key. He shared personal stories of overcoming racial barriers and navigating setbacks while staying focused on his leadership goals. “If you're not where you want to be, work towards it. Don't give up. Don't stop,” he said. A central theme in Mr. Moore’s speech was the importance of unity and collaboration. He underscored the concept of synergy, where collective efforts can produce outcomes far greater than those achieved individually. As he closed his remarks, Mr. Moore offered the audience words of advice: always strive for excellence, avoid making assumptions, and maintain integrity in both words and actions. His motto, “be sharp, feel sharp, and look sharp,” emphasized the importance of confidence and professionalism in leadership. “Whatever it takes, whatever you need to do, keep moving forward. Don't stop. Don't let go. Don't give up,” he urged the audience.