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Permanent LinkRepresentative Ako Abdul-Samad View All Years
Term
Serving sixth term in House.
Profession
Founder and senior executive officer of Creative Visions Human Development Institute.
Education
Graduate of the National Conference of Black Lawyers Community College of Law and International Diplomacy.
Memberships and Activities
Published author of “The Deeper Truth: Revelations of the Soul.” Former chair of the Iowa Democratic Black Caucus. Current elected chair of American Muslim Alliance. Elected to Des Moines Public School Board in 2003 and served as vice president. Co-founder and coordinator of YMCA Downtown Teen Program, founder and president of African-American Islamic Association, vice president of the Center for the Study and Application of Black Economic Development, and co-founder of the first black student union in the state of Iowa. Established and directed business functions that include employment assistance, support services, health care management, community development, advocacy, and consultancy on culture and diversity education. Awarded the National Caring Award in 2004. 2016 Interfaith Alliance Community Advocacy Award.
Birth and Residence
Born in 1951 in Des Moines. Raised and resides in Des Moines.