Celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The state of Iowa and the surrounding border states are recognized as the worst places for Blacks to live and work. Three out of the six cities that MLK NOW has targeted in Iowa are listed on 24/7 Wall Street’s Worst Cities for Black Americans: Davenport, Des Moines and Waterloo. The study evaluated the racial gaps and percentage rates for 1. Homeownership, 2. Poverty 3. Unemployment 4. Incarceration 5. Median Income and 6. Education, specifically High School Graduation rates. For more information check out the link below.

https://247wallst.com/special-report/2023/02/06/the-worst-cities-for-black-americans-10/

BOB, is an acronym for Black Owned Businesses, a complete one-stop shop business development organization that helps Black Owned Businesses sustain and grow their revenue through a number of marketing and sales solutions, from contract procurement to operating a full-service nationwide virtual call center. For only $25 a year Black Owned Business can join the nationwide network of diverse business industries, partners and supporters. With thousands of members nationwide, BOB Rewards Club was originally founded as a LLC in 2016, the organization became a nonprofit corporation in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

On Saturday, Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., several distinguished panelists, entertainers and vendors will showcase Black excellence as it was once historically seen in Iowa. Their hope is to bring reality to the socio-economic dream of Dr. King Jr. he mentioned before his assassination in 1968. MLK NOW fosters an environment to motivate change, create and sustain more Black Owned Businesses, and build skills and knowledge necessary for today’s systemic problems.

With the support of over 24 corporate sponsors and dozens of personal community donors, the event is free and open-to-the-public for everyone to attend. There will be a free mini-carnival with games, giveaways, and food for children 16 years and younger. To learn more about BOB Rewards Club visit www.bobrewardsclub and www.mlknow.com.

Michelle Gibson Webb is chief events coordinator for BOB Rewards Club.