Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
Debra Carr, who has spent more than 25 years in public service, is director of economic development for ISED Ventures which helps Iowans who have low and moderate incomes create financial stability. 
The non-profit, where Carr has helped secure and manage $5 million, provides small business training and technical assistance and helps minority and women business owners become certified targeted small businesses, among other things. ISED also offers a variety of programs including free tax preparation, job placement and credit education and debt reduction programs.
The community activist and life-long member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is the mother of twin ninth-graders, Derek and Darren, 14. Carr founded the Miss Black Iowa USA Pageant in 1987. She talked with Iowa Independent about the challenges facing blacks in the state.
Iowa Independent: What is the top challenge facing African-Americans in Iowa and what do you think must be done to solve the problem?
Carr: The disproportionate numbers of African-Americans incarcerated, lagging graduation rates — and ability to achieve academic success, lack of affordable health care and lack of economic prosperity for some have impeded a number of individuals and families from achieving their fullest potential. These issues combined with disparities in health and wellness, feelings of hopelessness, the implications of the drug culture on communities are just a few of the numerous obstacles that communities, individuals and families are confronted with. Many of these disparities are deeply rooted in a number of systemic factors — policies and practices that have oppressed African-Americans for hundreds of years and in some ways continue to do so but in a more subtle manner. The residual effects of these factors continue to be manifested today as we experience the effects of these realities on our communities, families, and individuals.
The community has done a great job in defining the numerous problems. Now it is time to take action. Set goals and create the action steps to achieve the results we desire. We can’t afford to take our eyes off of our goals if we want to reduce or eliminate the problems. It is evident that all of the obstacles and challenges do not stand alone in isolation from one another. They are all interconnected and interrelated. What affects one of us, impacts all of us
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