Iowa Civil Rights History

Send us a textThomas and Susannah Western were born into slavery in Virginia. Upon getting their freedom, they decided to head west in search of a better life.In 1864 Thomas and Susannah Western bought their first 80 acres of Farm in Iowa and later bought another 80 acres.My conversation with Todd Western III about his family history.Support the showThank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or corrections on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

Send us a Text Message.Part 2 of the conversation of Carrie Chapman Catt Catt was born on January 9, 1859, in Ripon, Wisconsin, the second of three children of Lucius and Maria (Clinton) Lane. In 1866, at the close of the Civil War, the family moved to a farm near Charles City, Iowa.I had the privilege of sitting down with Karen Kedrowski, the director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, to discuss Catt's life and her significant contributions to the women's movement.Support the Show.Thank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or corrections on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

Send us a Text Message.Catt was born on January 9, 1859, in Ripon, Wisconsin, the second of three children of Lucius and Maria (Clinton) Lane. In 1866, at the close of the Civil War, the family moved to a farm near Charles City, Iowa.I had the privilege of sitting down with Karen Kedrowski, the director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, to discuss Catt's life and her significant contributions to the women's movement.Support the Show.Thank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or corrections on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

Conversation with the founder and publisher of Black Iowa News Dana James on her life as a journalist, state of the media, black media and life in generalSupport the Show.Thank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or corrections on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

The Sioux City Ghosts were an all-black fast-pitch softball team in Sioux City, Iowa. Their exceptional skills and unique style of playing created a legacy that very few can match. It all started in 1925 as a boy's club. After class, they would gather near the former Hopkins school along West 7th and Panoah Street in Sioux City.Jim Tillman, Sioux City native and resident, has been studying the Ghosts story for a while and was able to share the story on his first EVER podcast appearance.Support the showThank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or corrections on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

 James B. Morris Sr. was a World War I veteran, lawyer, journalist, civil rights pioneer, leader, and a role model for his generation of African Americans living in Iowa.  He was the owner and publisher of the longtime nation's first black newspaper the Bystander. In this episode, I have JB Morris's grandson William Morris talking about his grandfather, his family, and black life in general. Support the showThank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or corrections on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

On March 8, 1857, a conflict erupted between settlers and Native Americans, and Professor Kevin Mason(Waldorf University) gives us a detailed account of what led to the outbreak of violence.Professor Mason researched and wrote extensively on this topic. He is an Assistant Professor of History at Waldorf University. He teaches various courses at all undergraduate levels, oversees internship opportunities, and facilitates student research. He currently serves on the Higher Learning Commission Assurance Argument writing team for the university.Support the showThank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or corrections on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

Part 2 of the conversation with history professor, Dr. David Brodnax on black Iowans in the 19th century. Support the showThank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or corrections on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

Conversation with history professor, Dr. David Brodnax about  black Iowans in the 19th century. Support the showThank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or corrections on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

In April 1868,  Iowa Supreme Court issue a decision to desegregated its public schools. That decision made Iowa the first state in the nation to desegregated its public schools.Support the showThank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or corrections on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

William Morris stands out as a contributing author within the pages of the renowned Iowan publication, "Outside In: African-American History in Iowa, 1838-2000." His distinctive contribution resonates through Chapter 5 of this work, entitled "Black Iowans in Defense of the Nation: 1863 to 1991." Generously, William engaged in a conversation with me, shedding light on his literary contributions, his insights into the experiences of Iowa's black veterans, and other subjects.Learn more about William S. Morris check out his websitewww.williamsmorris.orgSupport the showThank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or corrections on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

Judge Romonda Belcher was appointed to the bench on August 20, 2010, becoming the first African American female Judge in the state of Iowa. Born in Plymouth, North Carolina, she earned her bachelor's degree with honors from Howard University in 1990 and her juris doctorate from Drake University Law School in 1995. Support the showThank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or corrections on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

Arabella Mansfield became the first woman lawyer in the United States to be admitted to practice law in Henry County Iowa in 1869. She studied law for two years in her brother's law office in Mount Pleasant Iowa to prepare for the bar exam. Despite her admission to the bar, she never practice law instead she spent her professional life teaching. She was a professor of English at Iowa Wesleyan College and later, dean of the school of art and music at De Pauw University in Indiana. She died in 1911 at age 65. Support the showThank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or corrections on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

Stephen Keyes is sitting in Fort Dodge Iowa Correctional Facility serving a life sentence without parole. Steve was sentenced to prison on October 27th, 1997 after being convicted of two counts of first degree murder of his wife Sandra and his 2yr old son Josh, the two died as the result of the tragic house fire that happened on December 26, in 1996. His legal team -  The Iowa Wrongful Conviction Division & Drake Law School's Legal Clinic-Wrongful Conviction and the Midwest Innocence Project believes Steve was wrongfully convicted and they are working to free him..Support the showThank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or correction on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

Fort Des Moines located in Des Moines Iowa, was the first place in the united states where black men were being trained to be officers in the US Army. Fort Des Moines was also the first place in the United States to train women of all races to be in the military.I travelled to Des Moines to have a conversation with a Des Moines native Jeff Kluever who is a board member of the now Fort Des Moines Museum and understand the history of Fort Des Moines. Jeff is also a student of civil war.Thank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or correction on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

Roxanne Conlin is like a rose that bloomed from concrete. As the eldest of six siblings, she endured a traumatic upbringing in a household plagued by violence, where her father's alcoholism led him to inflict both mental and physical abuse on her mother and children. Nevertheless, Roxanne persevered and rose to become a prominent and influential civil rights attorney in Iowa.Book Referenced to this episode: Unstoppable The Nine Lives of Roxanne Barton Conlin Author: William B. FredricksThank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or correction on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

More than a decade before the Civil Rights sit-ins of the 1960s and six years prior to Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat, Edna Griffin, a prominent civil rights leader in Iowa, had already made a significant impact. Griffin compelled the notorious Katz drug store in Des Moines, Iowa, to halt its discriminatory practices toward Black customers. This event marked an important moment in Iowa's civil rights history, demonstrating the power of grassroots activism in effecting change.In 1948, Edna Griffin and two of her friends were denied service at the Katz drugstore. Griffin sued Katz later that year and won the case. Katz appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court but lost again. This landmark legal victory was a significant moment in the history of civil rights in Iowa, and it helped to pave the way for further advances in the struggle for equality.In this episode, I sat down with Stanley Griffin Jr, a son of Edna Griffin, to talk about his mother, father, and life growing up as Griffin.Thank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or correction on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

The town of Buxton, IA was seen as a utopia by many Black Americans who migrated to the town to work at the coal miners. Black and white families lived, worked and played together and their children went to the same schools. White residents included immigrants from Sweden and elsewhere, and they existed peacefully with the African-Americans throughout the community's history.Buxton was the town that  supported African-American doctors, lawyers and other professionals, with everything integrated in the town, black people in Buxton were shield from all the atrocities that other blacks were facing during the Jim Crow and segregation era. They were living in a utopia world. Thank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations, or correction on any historical facts; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

In this 2nd episode, My guest Kent Sissel, discuss more about the life, family, and the contribution of Alexander Clark to the state of Iowa and the country. Alexander G. Clark was born on Feb 25. 1826 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, to John Clark, a former slave, and Rebecca Darnes Clark. He was a barber, lawyer, diplomat, and activist.Thank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

February 25 is the birthday of Muscatine's famous residents, probably the most famous Black Iowan of the 19th century.Alexander G. Clark was born on Feb 25. 1826 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, to John Clark, a former slave, and Rebecca Darnes Clark. He was a barber, lawyer, diplomat, and activist.In the late 70s, Kent Sissel bought Clark's home in Muscatine Iowa in order to save it from a City demolition that was underway. Mr. Sissel has been owning and living in that house for 40yrs.  In this episode, I talked with Kent Sissel, the preservationist of the  Alexander Clark house and who is arguably to be the best historian of Alexander G. Clark in the country. Thank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

The Tuskegee Airmen was the first African American flying unit in the U.S. military, who fought during World War II. They were trained at Tuskegee Army Airfield in Tuskegee, Alabama. This was the only training facility for Basic and Advanced Flight Training for Black pilots of the U.S. Army Air Force.Out of the 1,000 black pilots who were trained at Tuskegee Army airfield, 12 of them came from the state of Iowa.  These 12 men were William V. Bibb, James E. Bowman, Russell L. Collins, Maurice V. Esters, Joseph P. Gomer, Robert L. Martin      George R. Miller, Clarence A. Oliphant, Robert M. Parkey, Luther H. Smith, Thurman E. Spriggs,  and Robert W. Williams        In this episode, I will be talking to Bill Spriggs, who is the son of one of the Iowa Tuskegee airmen, Thurman Spriggs. We will be discussing about his father's contribution to the state of Iowa and the nation.Thank you for listening.For any questions, suggestions, recommendations; please contact Host: Erick Nganyange Email: iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Facebook @ Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast

When Merry Brown the tattoo artist and the owner of Studio 65 received a call to help a new client to cover his tattoos, Merry didn't know what to expect. When that client showed up to his appointment and showed Merry what he wanted to be covered, Merry had mixed feelings; shocked and happy about the fact that this new client wanted to cover his tattoos.Terry is a former member of a white supremacy gang. From the time he was a little boy he was taught to hate all races that weren't white and not mixed with other races. That hate grew stronger as Terry spent most of his life in the American prison system, where race mixing is a violation that could get a prisoner killed. For almost 50yrs of his life, Terry segregated himself from other races and didn't care for them to say the least. All that changed when Terry met Emily Minear, a therapist/counselor at Prairie Ridge who challenged Terry's thought patterns. Those exercises of thinking differently and integrating with other races led Terry to slowly start to question everything he was taught and everything he learned and believed in his entire life. I had a great pleasure sitting down with Terry and his tattoo artist/friend/counselor Merry Brown to talk about Terry's life journey, his struggles in this new life, his family, his regrets, and his future.For any questions or suggestions, please contact  Erick Nganyange @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

When Merry Brown the tattoo artist and the owner of Studio 65 received a call to help a new client to cover his tattoos, Merry didn't know what to expect. When that client showed up to his appointment and showed Merry what he wanted to be covered, Merry had mixed feelings; shocked and happy about the fact that this new client wanted to cover his tattoos.Terry is a former member of a white supremacy gang. From the time he was a little boy he was taught to hate all races that weren't white and not mixed with other races. That hate grew stronger as Terry spent most of his life in the American prison system, where race mixing is a violation that could get a prisoner killed. For almost 50yrs of his life, Terry segregated himself from other races and didn't care for them to say the least. All that changed when Terry met Emily Minear, a therapist/counselor at Prairie Ridge who challenged Terry's thought patterns. Those exercises of thinking differently and integrating with other races led Terry to slowly start to question everything he was taught and everything he learned and believed in his entire life. I had a great pleasure sitting down with Terry and his tattoo artist/friend/counselor Merry Brown to talk about Terry's life journey, his struggles in this new life, his family, his regrets, and his future.For any questions or suggestions, please contact  Erick Nganyange @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

James Jordan's house is located at 2001 Fuller Rd, in West Des Moines Iowa it is one of the Iowa Underground Railroad houses that is still standing and was one of John Brown's freedom trails. The house was built and owned by James Jordan.James Jordan was a Complicated man like most men of his time. He was born in  West Virginia in 1813 and moved to Iowa in 1845,  he was once a slave catcher and became an abolitionist he was a member of the Polk County Underground Railroad. He was an Iowa state lawmaker, also he was a federal lawbreaker, as he was breaking a fugitive slave act, also helping his friend John Brown to break the same law. He lived in this house until his death in 1893. For any questions or suggestions, please contact  Erick @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

On September 21, 2005, the court asked a 19-yr old Kenneth Nixon if he had anything to say to the court before he was sentenced to life in prison for 2 counts of murder, 4 counts of attempted murder, and 1 count of arson. Ken told the judge and the court “your honor, you are about to sentence an innocent man to prison for the rest of his life for the crime he didn't commit”.The judge and the court didn't take those words seriously, they probably heard them so many times before. Those words will come back to haunt that same judge almost 16yrs later. Because, after Ken spent 15yrs and 9 months behind prison walls, he was released after proving that he was innocent, and was telling the truth all along. Ken was released from prison on February 18th, 2021, and his convictions were vacated. When Ken came to Iowa to talk to the Midwest innocence project, I got a chance to sit down and talk to him about his journey and what the future looks like.For more information on Ken's case please check out law.umich.eduAlso, Ken has an organization called “Organization of Exonerees” if you would like to support his movement, please go to fundly.com  For any questions or suggestions on this episode, please contact  Erick @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

The Henderson Lewelling House also known as Lewelling Quaker Museum (LQM) is located in Salem, Iowa about 20 miles from Missouri border.  Henderson Lewelling, was born in a Quaker family in 1809 in North Carolina, later his family moved to Indiana. In 1837 he moved his wife Elizabeth and 4 children to Salem, Iowa. As abolitionist, Henderson Lewelling represented the more radical side in his opposition to slavery.  Salem Quakers experienced schism between radical members and the moderate and eventually ejected Henderson Lewelling from the faith.In 1843, along with other members of the Salem Monthly Meeting, they established the Abolition Friends Monthly Meeting.In this final episode; My guests, David and Cathy Helman at the Lewelling Quaker Museum in Salem, Iowa continued the discussion on the life and the contribution Mr. Lewelling had to the Civil Rights in the state of Iowa.For more information about Lewelling Quaker Museum, please  Check out their website; www.lewelling.org For any questions or suggestions on this episode, please contact  Erick @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

The Henderson Lewelling House also known as Lewelling Quaker Museum (LQM) is located in Salem, Iowa about 20 miles from Missouri border.  Henderson Lewelling, was born in a Quaker family in 1809 in North Carolina, later his family moved to Indiana. In 1837 he moved his wife Elizabeth and 4 children to Salem, Iowa.  As abolitionist, Henderson Lewelling represented the more radical side in his opposition to slavery.  Salem Quakers experienced schism between radical members and the moderate and eventually ejected Henderson Lewelling from the faith.In 1843, along with other members of the Salem Monthly Meeting, they established the Abolition Friends Monthly Meeting. In this episode; My guests, David and Cathy Helman at the Lewelling Quaker Museum in Salem, Iowa sat down with Erick Nganyange to discuss the life and the contribution Mr. Lewelling had to the Civil Rights in the state of Iowa.For more information about Lewelling Quaker Museum, please  Check out their website; www.lewelling.org For any questions or suggestions on this episode, please contact  Erick @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

When the issue of slavery became the most contentious issue in the country, the courage to act was put to a test, Iowans had a choice, either to stand on the sideline and watch or to act. Some Iowans chose to act.  Abolitionists were people who detested the institution of slavery and wanted to end it immediately. In this episode; Dave Holmgren an historian from Iowa Historical Society of Des Moines discusses some of the prominent Iowa abolitionists of the 19th century.  He also discusses some members of legislatures who were abolitionists at night and legislature during the day.    For any questions or suggestions, please email Erick @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

In 1993  James Clark, Johnny Brown, Marvin Steward, Bebe Davis, Thomas Levi Sr, and Thomas Moore from  Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids Iowa came up with the idea to start the African - American Museum in the state of Iowa. They wanted to preserve, exhibit and teach black history in the state of Iowa. Since its inception, the Museum has had 4 executive directors. The current director LaNisha Reese Cassell is number 4 on that list and she is the first and the only woman to hold that position in almost 30yrs of the museum's existence.In this episode, I had a privilege to talk to LaNisha about the past, present and the future of the museum and the role the museum plays in advancing the civil rights movement. The African American museum of Iowa is standing at 55 12th Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.For any questions or suggestions, please email Erick @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

Founded in 2018 in Des Moines, Iowa.  Spark Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that every student in the community is able to obtain books that they are personally interested in, free of cost. Spark is also, focusing on reducing the reading achievement gap between high and low-income students and summer reading loss by ensuring every student has the opportunity to build their very own personal library. In this episode, I got the opportunity to talk to the founder of Spark Foundation, Mr. Akil Clark, our conversation was centered around the past, present, and future of the Spark Foundation. The fight to reduce/eliminate the illiteracy problem among young black boys and how to inspire children to read. To find more about spark go to https://www.sparkfndn.org/ or check them out on their Facebook pageFor any questions or suggestions, please email Erick @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

In  1879 Alexander Clark Jr, the last-born of Honorable Alexander Clark Sr graduated from the University of Iowa with a law degree and he was the first black person to do so in the state of Iowa. In 1884 at age of 57 Alexander  Clark Sr the father of Alexander Clark Jr graduated from the same  University also with a law degree and he became the second black man to earn a law degree in the state of Iowa. In this episode, Dan Clark discussed the last part of Honorable Alexander Clark's life and the impact he had in the state of Iowa, the country, and abroad. For any questions or suggestions, please email Erick Nganyange @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

Alexander G. Clark, arguably the most influential black man to ever lived in the state of Iowa in the 19th century. Some historians believe that he was probably the second most influential black man after Frederick Douglass that no one knows about.Alexander Clark was born in 1826, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, to John Clark a former slave, and Rebecca Darnes Clark. At age 14 Alexander Clark moved from Pennsylvania to go live with his uncle George Darnes in Cincinnati Ohio, where a young Alexander learned barbering skills. In 1842 at age of 16, he left Cincinnati and moved to Muscatine Iowa, where he opened a barbershop and became a prominent barber in Muscatine. Alexander called Muscatine a home for over 40yrs.In this episode, I sat down with one of the men who studied Alexander G. Clark,  Muscatine's Own, Daniel G. Clark to discuss the life, contributions, and accomplishments of Alexander G. Clark to the state of Iowa.For any questions or suggestions, please email Erick Nganyange @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

On October 8, 1980, a man named William Beeman from Muscatine, Iowa was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Michele Winkel.  His lawyer,  Erica Nichols Cook who is the current director of the wrongful conviction Division, at Iowa State Public Defender, believes her client is innocent.  She has been fighting for his release for a few yrs.  Erica sat down with me to discuss the case, why she thinks Mr. Beeman is innocent and her expectations from the justice system.For any questions or suggestions, please email Erick Nganyange @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

In America, sometimes innocent people are investigated, charged, tried, convicted, and sentenced to prison for the crimes they haven't committed and ended up spending half of their lives behind bars before they could be exonerated.  In this episode, I sat down with Erica Nichols Cook, director of the wrongful conviction Division at Iowa State Public Defender. Erica is on a mission, she is called to be a fighter, her fight is to free as many wrongfully convicted people in the state of Iowa as she can. For any questions or suggestions, please email Erick Nganyange @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

The Mother Mosque of America is located at 1335 9th St in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Is the First and the oldest surviving place of worship for Muslims in North America.   In 1929 the construction of the Mosque began while the Great Depression was underway.  Most community members themselves built the mosque.  Construction was officially completed on February 15, 1934.  14 yrs later after the construction of the Mosque, the first national Muslim Cemetery was also built in Cedar Rapids Iowa in 1948.  In this episode; I traveled to Cedar Rapids to visit The Mother Mosque of America and to talk to the leader of the Mosque Imam Taha Tawil. We discussed his life growing up in Jerusalem, the Islamic faith, and the Mother Mosque of America.For any questions or suggestions, please email Erick Nganyange @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

As the free state came into the union in 1846, its bordering state of Missouri was a slave state. When the issue of slavery became the most contentious issue in the country, the courage to act for Iowans was put to test, Iowans had a choice to make, either to stand on the sideline and watch or to act. Some Iowans chose to act and the Iowa Underground Railroad was born. UGRR was a network of anti-slavery and abolitionists who detested the institution of slavery and wanted to end it. In this episode; Dave Holmgren from Iowa Historical Society of Des Moines discusses why he thinks Iowans got involved with the Underground Railroad even though there were so many risks. He also discusses the Governors and members of legislatures who were involved with the underground railroad when they knew it was against the law, what drove them. Dave also discusses the lesson we can learn from the underground railroad and apply them in the world we are living in today.  For any questions or suggestions, please email us @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

As the free state came into the union in 1846, its bordering state of Missouri was a slave state. When the issue of slavery became the most contentious issue in the country, the courage to act for Iowans was put to test, Iowans had a choice to make, either to stand on the sideline and watch or to act. Some Iowans chose to act and the Iowa Underground Railroad was born. UGRR was a network of anti-slavery and abolitionists who detested the institution of slavery and wanted to end it. In this episode; I sat down with historian Dave Holmgren from the Iowa Historical Society of Des Moines to discuss the Iowa Underground Railroad and the key role some Iowans played in the fight to end the pernicious institution of slavery.   For any questions or suggestions, please email us @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

In this episode;  I sat down with Pastor Robert Radcliff from Riverside friends church in Mason City, Iowa. Riverside is a Quaker church. Pastor Robert discusses Quaker's history, faith, past, and where the organization stands today in the fight for civil rights.As Iowa joined the Union as a free state in 1846 it also attracted people with anti-slavery views to the state, none were more vocal and radical about their detest for the institution of slavery than the Religious Society of Friends(Quakers).Quakers were among the first white people to denounce the institution of slavery in the American colonies, and they became the first religious organization to take a collective stand against both slavery and the slave trade.As slaves were running away from Missouri and sometimes Kansas, Iowa became either their destination or the path to their destination, which was anywhere that they could find freedom. Iowa Quakers either provided food, shelter, direction, or transportation. You could find these people called “FRIENDS” from the small town of Salem to Springdale Iowa. Iowa Quakers played a major role as the safe haven for runaway slaves during the underground railroad time. For any questions or suggestions, please email us @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley touch on George Floyd, the relationship between police and the black men in Iowa/America, his idea on how to build trust, and a better relationship between black men and police officers. Discussion on defunding and abolishing police. Discussion on how to unify the country.   For questions or suggestions, please email us @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com 

Conversation with Jeff Brinkley, a 25yr veteran in law enforcement, he is the current Mason City  Chief of Police. Jeff has been with Mason City Police Department since 2016, he is the 21st chief in the history of the force. In this episode, Jeff explains why he wanted to be a police officer, why he still loves it, the challenges he faces as a police officer, and how can the public assist him and his team. For questions or suggestions, please email us @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com 

St John Baptist Church was once a vibrant black church in Mason City, Iowa. Today is a historic church building at 715 6th St SW. James Thomas Jeffries,  Everet's father, was instrumental in the building of the church. Construction of the church started in 1937.  As one of the surviving members of the church, Everet is taking us down memory lane on how it all started.For questions or suggestions, please email us @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

Everet Jeffries was born in the mid-'30s in Mason City, Iowa, attended Mason City High school, graduated in 1954. A grandson of a slave.  As a young black man growing up in the '40s and '50s in Mason City, Iowa, Jeffries shares his life story and experiences growing up in a small-town Iowa and how it shaped his life. Now at age 84 he is looking back and gives us wisdom on where to go from here.      For any questions or suggestions, please email us @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com

 Welcome to Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast where we discuss the contributions the state of Iowa and Iowans has made to advance the civil rights movement.  From its inception in 1838 & statehood in 1846, Iowa had its shares of wins and losses when it came to civil rights, but there were more wins than losses, in some incidents Iowa was way ahead of the nation. On the Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast, we will be heavily discussing the wins, the wins from historical achievements, courage, passion, and compassion of the past, we will also, discuss solutions for current issues, highlight current achievements & courage and plans for the future. For any questions or suggestions, please email us @ iacivilrightshistorypodcast@gmail.com