[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING DWANA BRADLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 2021

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dwana Bradley as 
Iowan of the Week. Dwana is a mother, a business owner, an educator, 
and a long-time community advocate. She believes education is the key 
to life, which speaks to her passion and career as a teacher.
  Dwana received a bachelor's degree in child and family services from 
Iowa State University, a master's degree in elementary education and 
literacy from Drake University, and a specialist's degree in 
administration. She went on to graduate from the Greater Des Moines 
Leadership Institute, and for almost seven years she worked as a 
reading interventionist with Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) to help 
students reach their potential. In 2019, she was elected to the Des 
Moines School Board and currently serves as the chair of the board.
  Dwana did not let the COVID-19 pandemic slow her drive to educate 
young Iowans. As chairwoman, she serves in an outreach role to help 
underserved communities attain higher education and is working to stem 
the negative impact of COVID-19 on students, especially those who were 
already struggling in school or falling behind.
  Dwana also owns Iowa Urban Media, a community-focused publishing 
company, and is the editor-in-chief for the Urban Experience Magazine, 
a monthly publication that shares news in the African American 
community and seeks to empower voices through positivity. Her 
journalism promotes education, an open dialogue, and a space to have 
important conversations about issues affecting Iowans. She passionately 
believes that these conversations are a crucial step towards achieving 
justice.
  In addition to her commendable career in education, Dwana is an 
active advocate. She is the executive director of Iowa Juneteenth and 
chairs a committee for Iowa Juneteenth Observance, volunteers on the 
DMPS attendance committee, and still makes time to direct the choir at 
True Bible Baptist Church.
  As executive director of Iowa Juneteenth and chair on a committee for 
Iowa Juneteenth Observance, she helps put on events, educate the 
public, and celebrate with Iowans across the state for the annual 
commemoration of Juneteenth: the date the last enslaved African 
Americans were granted freedom in 1865, ending slavery in the United 
States. Just this week, Congress finally passed a bill to formally 
recognize Juneteenth National Independence Day as a federal holiday 
after decades of activism from Americans.
  As we recently gathered to observe Juneteenth and join in community 
celebrations and educational events, let us thank Dwana and her team 
for their efforts to bring Iowans together to share stories, 
experiences, and history with one another. She is a fantastic educator, 
a proud voice in the community, and a fervent advocate for uplifting 
Iowans. Please join me in honoring Dwana Bradley as our Iowan of the 
Week.

                          ____________________