GREATER DES MOINES, IA (November 18, 2020) – Capital Crossroads, the organization driving our region’s strategic vision plan, is excited to announce Izaah Knox as the recipient of the 2020 Capital Crossroads Vision Award.

This annual award acknowledges, recognizes and celebrates individuals who have driven and implemented effective solutions, guided community efforts, mobilized groups or projects and brought about meaningful change in Central Iowa.

“Izaah is a force in our community who uses his voice to elevate conversations and action around racial equity, social justice and leadership in Greater Des Moines,” said Kristi Knous, co-chair of Capital Crossroads and president of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. “As the Executive Director of Urban Dreams, Izaah has created and strengthened programming, all while being an advocate who pushes us to do and be better as a community. He also lends his vision and expertise as one of the leaders of the Capital Crossroads Social Capital where he is elevating conversations and change related to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. His determination is unstoppable.”

The Vision Award recognizes individuals that work within the Capital Crossroads leadership team and have built social capital throughout the region by bringing people together to create effective solutions. The recipient may have mobilized groups to address a community issue in a new way or organized a collective response to a critical issue. Past award winners include Todd Ashby with the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Mayor Bob Andeweg of Urbandale, Kathryn Kunert with MidAmerican Energy Company, Kristi Knous with the Community Foundation and Angela Connolly with the Polk County Board of Supervisors.

“Izaah is a driven doer and motivator of others, and his valuable feedback and contributions to our community drive results on meaningful projects,” said Jay Byers, Co-Chair of Capital Crossroads and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. “Izaah successfully works collaboratively across organizations and has helped countless people through his advocacy work and ability to inspire those who are underrepresented.”

 

About Capital Crossroads

Capital Crossroads is a bold but achievable vision pushing Central Iowans to dream big, not settle for good enough, think long term, and work together. Capital Crossroads brings together nearly 700 community volunteers to meet the challenges of the future while building on our past successes. It is in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Prairie Meadows, Catch Des Moines and the United Way of Central Iowa. To learn more, visit: http://capitalcrossroadsvision.com/               

About Urban Dreams
Since 1985, Urban Dreams has been providing Des Moines’ inner city with a wide range of human service programs in a comfortable and non-threatening environment. Just as the problems that plague the inner city continue to evolve, Urban Dreams continues to change to meet them. Urban Dreams offers programs that are in tune to the unique issues affecting Polk County’s economically depressed areas. Programs including information and referral and ex-offender support have been just two of the services that Urban Dreams offers at no cost. Urban Dreams advocates for all members of the community, breaking down barriers to success and collaborating with key stakeholders to overcome obstacles and uplift underserved and underrepresented people. To learn more, visit: http://urbandreams.org/               Â