Creative Visions

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED!     This all started because last weekend  I was glued to my phone/television.   Friday, Saturday AND Sunday evening there was one constant that stood out to me, and it wasn't the violence.  It was Ako Abdul-Samad.  He was at the state Capitol and in front of the Des Moines police station.     It really touched me last Sunday evening when I watched him show up at a place near and dear to my heart, which is the Merle Hay Mall area.   His appearance tamped down the escalators, and he served as the intermediary between the protesters, who are sick and tired, and our local hard-working and caring police officers.   

I watched Ako, and his support staff, having real conversations with the protestors.    He listened to their heartfelt frustration, as he and his circle of support, spoke to them about moving from protest to policy.     I watched him go back and forth between those who are well meaning (not the troublemakers), and our police, to come to a peaceful resolution.   This man SHOWED up, even though he was accidentally struck by rubber bullet, and a brick (by a looter).   Night three, he still came to the rescue, with a pair of bad knees and a heart of gold.    Monday, he was back at it, speaking on the steps of our Capitol.  What an incredible human being.   

I'm happy to say that on Tuesday, he secured the vote to return to the Iowa House of Representatives for an eighth term. Abdul-Samad is one of only five people of color serving in the Iowa Legislature.     

Creative Visions is his not for profit that is focused on developing economically vulnerable individuals, families, and communities into becoming self-empowered, self- responsible, and self-sufficient through education and economic empowerment.  Creative Visions includes programs that were developed to help stabilize the family units and empower communities. Today, Creative Visions has enabled thousands of individuals to build stronger lives, stronger families, and stronger communities through its core program of services which focus on self, family and community betterment.