The Iowa Commission on the Status of African-Americans (ICSAA) is a state agency that exists to address the needs and concerns of Iowa's African-American citizens. Since it was established by the Iowa Legislature in 1989, the ICSAA has been a division of the Department of Human Rights and serves as an advocate for African-Americans in Iowa.
The ICSAA is composed of nine citizens representing different regions of the state. Each is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Iowa Senate. The director, who administers the Division on the Status of African-Americans within the Department of Human Rights, is also a gubernatorial appointee and confirmed by the Senate. The Director of the Department of Human Rights serves ex officio.
The Iowa Commission on the Status of African-Americans is accepting nominations for the following awards in 2011:
1. Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award - recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to Dr. Kings' vision, helping others, cultural awareness, diversity, active community participation and promoting racial equality of all people in Iowa. 2. Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project Award - recognizes individuals and/or organizations who are/have participated in a service project that has strengthened their Iowa community, such as mentoring, reading to children at community centers or shelters, restoring schools, building playgrounds, and organizing neighborhood watches, etc.
Nomination forms must be postmarked by December 5, 2010.
The awards will be presented at the 22nd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration in January 2011.
If you have any questions, please call the division office at 515-281-7283 or 800-351-4659.
What's New:
New MLK Day Report Shows That Economic Policies Must Be Targeted to Address Racial Income and Wealth Gaps
A new report released finds that African Americans and Latinos are experiencing the brunt of the economic recession, from joblessness to foreclosures, and that targeted economic policies are required to address the racial economic divide in the US.
