Special Event with Representative Ako Abdul-Samad

Please join us for a special event with IOP Spring 2025 Resident Fellow Joe Mitchell and guest Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, currently serving his ninth term in the Iowa House of Representatives!

About Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad

As a national & international Motivational Speaker, Activist, Author, Photographer, Business Owner and Counselor, Ako Abdul-Samad has impacted the lives of thousands of individuals and families for over five decades. After being expelled from two high schools for standing up against injustice, racism and discrimination he joined the local chapter of the Black Panther Party and helped to develop their free breakfast program, which launched his lifelong pursuit of social justice. He is currently serving his ninth term in the Iowa House of Representatives making him the longest serving Black Iowan in the state legislature. He also helped form Iowa’s first Legislative Black Caucus. Throughout his years of service, he has sponsored and co-sponsored several legislative bills that have led to systemic change for minorities and all citizens of Iowa. He was co- sponsor and an integral part, working across the aisle to get Iowa’s historic bi-partisan “More Perfect Union” legislation passed unanimously in a record two weeks’ time. Ako was also elected and served on the Des Moines School Board for three years and held the office of Vice President.