Iowa Legislative Black and Brown Caucus

04/29/2026

04/20/2026

Today we did a church tour in Cedar Rapids and it was nothing short of amazing. Thank you to the Pastors, congregations, community leaders and more who welcomed us with so much love.
Shout out to Representative Lindsay James who is running for U.S. Congress
Also
Iowa State Rep. Angel Ramirez &
State Representative Tracy Ehlert
They both represent large portions of Cedar Rapids

THANK YOU
Victorious Life Church
👤 Pastor: Bishop Cymaron Dawson

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church
👤 Senior Pastor: Ray A. L. Coleman Jr.

Word of Faith Church
👤 Pastor: Pastor Beets

03/04/2026

IOWA LEGISLATIVE BLACK & BROWN CAUCUS RESPONDS TO HARMFUL BILLS THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT MINORITY COMMUNITIES

Statement from House members of the Iowa Legislative Black and Brown Caucus regarding HF 2542 and HF 2711, scheduled for debate in the Iowa House today:

“Iowa is consistently ranked among the states with the highest racial incarceration disparities nationwide. Black and Brown communities want safer communities, but expanding “three strikes” laws would likely intensify disparities by mandating longer sentences and limiting judicial discretion.

At the same time, eliminating affirmative action would roll back decades of progress in expanding access to higher education, employment, and economic opportunity. These policies were designed to address inequities and ensure qualified individuals from underrepresented communities have a fair shot.

Together, these proposals move Iowa further away from fairness, equal opportunity, and the real priorities of working families. Instead of advancing policies that deepen disparities, lawmakers should be focused on easing the financial pressure Iowans are feeling every day, such as lowering housing costs, expanding access to affordable childcare, reducing grocery bills, strengthening wages, and making healthcare more affordable.

Iowa's families of color have carried the weight of these disparities long enough. It's time to stop adding to the load.”

02/27/2026

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT: Our spotlight is on Wilburn For Iowa House, who is serving his fourth term in the Iowa House. Learn more about Rep. Wilburn below!

02/27/2026

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT: Today’s feature spotlight is on State Sen. Renee Hardman, who is serving her first term in the Iowa Senate. Learn more about Sen. Hardman!

02/26/2026

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPEAKER SERIES: Representative Ruth Ann Gaines for Iowa presents the life of Sidney Poitier, the first black actor and first Bahamian to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, as her Black History Month speech on the Iowa House Floor.

02/25/2026

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT: Today’s feature spotlight is on State Rep. Mary Madison, who is in her second term in the Iowa House. learn more about Rep. Madison!

02/24/2026

You're invited to the Black History Month Celebration at the State Capitol. Join us at 3pm on Thursday, February 27, in the Rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol.

02/24/2026

We are pleased to announce that Claudine Cheatem, a self-published novelist, playwright, and poet, will be our emcee at this year's Black History Month Celebration at the State Capitol. Join us at 3pm on Thursday, February 27, in the Rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol.

We are honored to announce that Claudine Cheatem will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for our long awaited Black History Month Program this Thursday.

Claudine brings grace, strength, and a deep commitment to community wherever she goes. We are so grateful she has agreed to guide us through what promises to be a meaningful and powerful evening of reflection, celebration, and connection.

Please join us as we honor the legacy, resilience, and excellence that Black History Month represents.

Her bio and photo are included below. We look forward to seeing you there.

Claudine Cheatem is a self-published novelist, playwright and poet. She believes the arts have been and always will be a conduit to change. The arts soothe, heal and teach us how to cope with the prickly edges of life. When the world is seemingly spinning out of control, it is the artist that consumes the chaos and regurgitates it in the form of a song, a book, a play, or a poem and that makes it palatable and allows the world to smile again. Claudine's favorite place in the world is the library. There is a book for any information that one is seeking. If not, that is your opportunity to write it. Claudine is the eighth born of fifteen children. That feeling of always being "stuck in the middle" or "lost in the shuffle" developed in her a sense of humor, boldness and compassion, which shows up in her public speaking, writings and mentoring. Claudine appreciates that she has been called to be part of the community of healers through the arts. She holds a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Goddard College.

02/21/2026

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT: Today’s feature spotlight is on , who is in his first term in Iowa House. Learn more about Rep. Johnson!