Angie Jordan, South of 6 director, steps down following medical diagnosis

Angie Jordan’s enthusiasm is infectious. Just five minutes with her and one can easily envision the possibilities she perceives for Iowa City’s south side, the place she calls home and regularly champions to the rest of the municipality. “I love Iowa City. I think that's one of the main things is, I just have such fond memories here…I would like more people to love Iowa City. Probably more importantly, just love where you feel like you belong. And I get that every day when I live here. So it's hard not to be geeked about it,” she said. Ms. Jordan, South of 6 Iowa City Business District’s executive director, is stepping down from her two-year role following a diagnosis of stage IV small cell carcinoma of the cervix.

While her tenure as director was short, her accomplishments and advocacy with Iowa City’s south side go back at least 15 years. Along with founder and CEO of M.O.G.U.L Consulting Tasha Lard and founder and CEO of Mendoza Consulting Marlén Mendoza, she was instrumental in developing a SSMID (Self-Supporting Municipal Improvement District) for South of 6 through the South District Neighborhood Association. SSMIDs raise funds through a voluntary tax levy on commercial, industrial and multi-residential properties for an area. They typically have a lifespan of five years, which means “there has to be these high impactful changes, in a very short amount of time,” said Ms. Jordan. “You have to show that you can increase foot traffic, that they (businesses) see a reflection in their sales going up, that a negative stigma or stereotype of that side of town is lifted and replaced with something more positive,” she said. Significant progress has been made in the South of 6 Iowa City Business District with the introduction of two major markets. The South District Market, a year-round indoor venue at Pepperwood Plaza, has opened its doors, providing a steady marketplace for local businesses. Additionally, the Diversity Market, a pop-up event, has emerged as a vibrant platform for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), women entrepreneurs and artisans, to showcase and sell their products and services.

Entrepreneur and advocate

In addition to her role as South of 6’s executive director, Ms. Jordan is also the founder and CEO of Banjo Knits Empowerment. Additionally, she’s held several positions with the South District Neighborhood Association, participated on the steering committee for Better Together 2030, worked as an adjunct instructor for University of Iowa, and has served numerous roles in advocacy and project coordination in Iowa City. “Every day is different,” said Ms. Jordan, of her role as director. Writing grants and reports, coordinating events and engaging with business or commercial property owners are a fraction of what she typically does. “A lot of what I enjoyed doing is just the pieces of work that I'd been doing for the past 15 years, just kind of weaving them together to make sure that community development and economic development actually were working for each other mainly to benefit the South District Neighborhood,” she said.

Much of that work has involved face-to-face canvassing and building relationships with people and businesses, a process that takes time, patience, and a willingness to listen and be consistent, she said.

A professional and a friend to lean on

Ms. Lard, who, in addition to operating M.O.G.U.L Consulting, owns JD Beauty Supply and is the co-founder and executive director of Black Professionals of Iowa, first met Ms. Jordan during the pandemic.

Describing her as “bubbly,” Ms. Lard said a hallmark of Ms. Jordan is her consistency and commitment to the South District. “She is consistent. And she is a go-getter. And she is one of those people that when she sees a need, she wants it to happen, she's going to make sure it happens, and she's going to push so that it does happen,” said Ms. Lard. “And she is all about the South District. She wants this to grow.” In addition to her tireless advocacy for South of 6 businesses, Ms. Jordan is also a good friend who wants to bring out the best in people, said Ms. Lard. “She pushes and she pushes, she oftentimes will push you to be a better version of yourself,” said Ms. Lard. “I'm not a public speaker but Angie is, but she also pushes me to be that and tells me, ‘you have to…I'm not going to always be here. There’s going to be some times where you’re going to have to do this.’ And it’s not that I’m bad at it, it’s just out of my comfort zone.” Ms. Mendoza, associate director of external affairs with the Latino Policy Forum in Springfield, Illinois, met Ms. Jordan during a transitional period in her life in which she was seeking to connect on a deeper level with the community.

The two worked together on several community projects, including the SSMID, South of 6 Iowa City Business District, and an economic focus group with the city that resulted in Lunch and Learns for entrepreneurs and business owners, which proved to be very successful. "She wants you to feel like you belong, that you are seen," said Ms. Mendoza, noting that it's a rare quality to be found in people. As the two worked together, she began to see Ms. Jordan as a big sister, mentor, and confidante, as well as a friend, learning from her along the way. Ms. Jordan would often emphasize that "you cannot have a strong, local economy and community without the fundamentals," Ms. Mendoza said. Those fundamentals were the ability to connect with people -- to listen, extend empathy, offer empowerment and operating from a place of love. "She did those fundamentals so well. She listened. She wanted to get to know you," said Ms. Mendoza. Thinking big, having vision, and bringing people together are one of Ms. Jordan's many unique strengths, she noted. "She can show you so much," said Ms. Mendoza, her voice breaking. "How to live a beautiful and fulfilling life."

Passing the baton

During the planning stages of creating a SSMID for South of 6, the committee often met with Nancy Bird, president of Greater Iowa City Inc., who then was the executive director of the Iowa City Downtown District (ICDD). The Downtown Association of Iowa City successfully petitioned for -- and received --  a SSMID several years prior, and Ms. Bird acted as a mentor to Ms. Jordan, describing her as “unabashedly the champion of the South District Neighborhood.” “Once that (SSMID) was stood up, we just met a lot to kind of help – you know, maybe be a sounding board, but to support in ways that she needed. The neighborhood champions really kind of showed up, and a lot of that has been who Angie is and how much she cares. She's got so much energy and she's so smart that you can’t not show up to support this district,” said Ms. Bird.

One of Ms. Jordan’s proudest achievements is working as a team to focus on a singular goal to improve a geographic location, she said. “The idea that you can bring these people together who have different viewpoints, different backgrounds, different ideas, different methods of working together, different perspectives and experiences in life,” she said. “You can bring different together, because we actually have more in common. So I think that's what I'm most proud of, is continuing to find what we have in common and then building action around it. “I think that's something that I'm going to miss about this position. I thought I'd be here longer to continue creating that strategic path for change. And I feel really good about the relationships and trusts that are built. They'll be able to carry that on with or without me,” she said.

The South of 6 Iowa City Business District threw a party for Ms. Jordan on her last day, May 17. Her advice for the next director is to focus on building relationships with area businesses and people and to celebrate the South of 6 District’s wins. “First and foremost, make this position yours. Your strengths, your ideas – weave them into what's currently there, because what is currently there is there for a reason – everything,” she said. “Trust the goals, but spend a chunk of your time getting to know and understand and building that relationship with who you're serving.” There is still much work to be done, but Ms. Jordan wants to focus her energies on quality time with her husband and two children. “It’s not the way I thought it would be. But again, this life is a gift. It's not yours. It's an experience to have,” she said.