Izaah Knox
Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Izaah Knox, community leader and Executive Director of Des Moines’ own Urban Dreams, as our Iowan of the Week.
Service for the betterment of others is more than a hallmark of Izaah’s career: it’s his lifestyle. He’s the epitome of a ‘walk the walk’ leader – involved in all manners of activities intended to educate, empower, and raise up individuals in our community.
In his role as Executive Director of Urban Dreams, he leads a team of similarly dedicated Iowans within the heart of urban Des Moines to provide human service programs to the underserved and underrepresented. The non-profit offers critical services like outpatient substance abuse treatment and OWI weekend diversion classes, employment and after-school IT programs, community-police relations initiatives, mental health treatment, and nonpartisan voter education. They’re currently working on a project to build a community park adjacent to the Urban Dreams building so neighbors can gather, celebrate, and engage with one another. Despite narrow operating margins and much to do, Izaah is consistently finding ways to strengthen and expand programming to serve more Iowans in need.
Outside of Urban Dreams, Izaah sits on many boards and commissions working to raise awareness and combat issues of poverty, substance abuse, racial injustice, and urban blight. He’s a past chair and current commissioner on the Des Moines Human and Civil Rights Commission, a Social Capital Tri-Chair for the Capital Crossroads project to address diversity and inclusion within metro Des Moines, and a board member for The Guardian Project to strengthen ties between Des Moines Police officers and community members. While there are more formal roles to mention, I’d rather note how Izaah also spends mornings having breakfast with students at Des Moines North High School. His efforts to make meaningful connections and address tough issues head on are leadership in action.
This honor today is hardly the first to recognize the unique determination and impact of Izaah Knox. In 2012, he was awarded the United States of America President’s Volunteer Service Award, and in 2013 he was named one of Iowa’s most influential people by the Des Moines Register. In 2016, he became one of the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40. Central Iowa is watching this leader grow and recognizing his accomplishments along the way, and for very good reason.
Our future as a nation depends on the strength of our neighborhoods and communities; that’s never been more evident than during these past few months. As COVID-19 spread, Izaah and the Urban Dreams team kept serving those in need by giving away free, hot meals in Evelyn K. Davis Park, providing mental health and substance abuse services through telehealth, and meeting in smaller groups to continue workforce training. And as protestors took to the streets following George Floyd’s murder, Izaah has been there night after night to protect and support the youth voices leading the movement. His steady presence and dedication are helping guide Des Moines through these uncertain times.
Advocates like Izaah – those who are passionate about lifelong learning, connecting with people, and doing the work – are our most valuable agents of change. They push all of us to reflect on where we can be giving more of ourselves to make things better for those around us. We need people like Izaah to keep us moving forward. We need organizations like Urban Dreams to thrive so the individuals they serve can meet their highest potential.
When we lift up one another, the whole community does better. That’s something Izaah Knox not only understands, but also embodies, and it is my distinct honor to recognize him as our Iowan of the Week.