About the Guest(s):
Dana James is a prominent figure in the journalism industry, particularly championing the voice of the Black community in Iowa. She stands as the publisher and founder of Black Iowa News, which is currently the only Black-owned newspaper in Iowa. With her background as a former reporter for the Des Moines Register, Dana brings her extensive experience to the forefront in her current pursuits. Beyond her editorial capacities, she's the treasurer of the Iowa Association of Black Journalists and has vast involvement within the realm of written media, including a column titled "New Black Iowa." Dana is also a member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative and co-hosts the "Being Heard" podcast alongside Lya Williams. Her diligent work showcases her unwavering commitment to amplifying Black perspectives, showcasing the Black community, and advocating for others.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Dana James speaks up about the challenges and triumphs of running Black Iowa News, which illuminates the Black Iowan perspective on current issues. This conversation delves deep into the importance of representation in media, the handling of Black stories by news outlets, and the role of journalism in addressing community-specific needs concerns.
Dana reveals how the events of the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd catalyzed her return to journalism, with Black Iowa News coming into being as a necessity to sound the alarm for her community when others wouldn’t. Offering her insights via a digital platform, Dana emphasizes the mission to facilitate interconnection within the dispersed Black communities across Iowa state. This episode, thriving on transparency and empowerment, underscores Dana's commitment to amplifying Black voices in a state that often overlooks its Black population's issues and triumphs.
Key Takeaways:
- Dana James challenges mainstream media's representation of Black communities, emphasizing the need to surface personalized Black narratives.
- Her paper, Black Iowa News, aims to bridge gaps across Black communities in various Iowa locals, striving for statewide collaboration and support.
- Despite the obstacles facing the newspaper industry, Dana persistently drives her business forward, acknowledging the multi-fold support she receives from the community and beyond.
- The discussion reveals a critical view of the "Iowa nice" mentality, scrutinizing its potential to silence oppression rather than fostering true community support.
- Dana emphasizes the significance of using one's voice and platform to tirelessly combat systemic issues and foster generational progress within the Black community in Iowa.
Resources:
- Black Iowa News Website: blackiowanews.com
- Facebook Page: Black Iowa News
- Social Media: Black Iowa News on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter
Send your DEI&B questions to info@toprankculture.com,
To learn more about Top RANK please visit toprankculture.com or follow us on social media.
Linkedin bit.ly/TR_linkedin
Facebook bit.ly/TR_face_book
Instagram bit.ly/TRC_Instagram
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.