My City Talks

Civic Engagement, Local Power, and Public Health in Des Moines

Civic engagement shapes health. In this episode, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Heather Jones-Brown and Victoria Weber to connect everyday actions like voting, emailing a school board member, riding the bus, and showing up at a neighborhood cleanup to measurable health outcomes. The conversation stays local. They dig into transportation, school boards, city councils, water quality, and how libraries, community fridges, and grassroots networks move the needle.  You will hear: * Why local elections often shape your daily health more than national races * How transportation access influences employment, insurance coverage, food security, and mental health * Practical ways to engage when your time or confidence is limited * The hidden health power of libraries, community fridges, and neighborhood cleanups Links: * My City My Health Conference info and merch: mycity.health * NAACP Des Moines: naacpdesmoines.org * Des Moines Public Library: dmpl.org * Local news and policy explainers mentioned: Iowa Starting Line, Iowa Capital Dispatch, Des Moines Register * Des Moines metro school board and city council meeting streams are typically available on each body’s YouTube channel or website Call to action: * Register for My City My Health Des Moines, Nov 14: use code MCMH100 at checkout on Zeffy to claim the limited promo. Show Notes * 00:01 Welcome and why civic engagement belongs in a health conversation * 02:00 “Local civics matter the most” and how engagement looks different for everyone * 04:45 Transportation as a foundation of public health * 06:30 Commuting, job access, insurance, wages, and downstream health outcomes * 08:15 Voting mindset for local elections and why school bonds matter for long-term community health * 10:40 City councils, budgets, sidewalks, housing, pollution, and potholes as health policy * 12:40 School boards should be nonpartisan, and why parents must track positions and votes * 13:40 Beyond the ballot: attend meetings, email representatives, set coffee or Zoom * 16:55 Where to watch meetings and how to find contact lists * 18:30 Toolkits, newsletters, and right-sized information habits * 20:20 Join organizations for curated updates, like NAACP Des Moines and interfaith groups * 21:55 Water quality alerts and why trusted sources matter * 23:30 Everyday engagement: cleanups, cost savings, and reinvesting in community needs * 26:00 Libraries as civic health hubs: makerspaces, classes, and small business sparks * 28:35 Small mindset shifts, big public health impacts * 30:40 What guests are excited to experience at My City My Health * 33:05 How to connect with Heather and Victoria Resources talked about: 2025 DMPS Bond Conversation [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4ELuRjafRU] Info on the bond [https://reimagine.dmschools.org/] Find your polling location [https://apps.sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx]

Food Insecurity, Community, and Change in Des Moines with Sarah Donovan

On this episode of My City Talks, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Sarah Donovan of Broadlawns Medical Center to explore the complex layers of food insecurity in Des Moines. From the role of culture and community in food access to how employment, transportation, and awareness shape outcomes, Sarah shares both professional insights and personal reflections. This conversation highlights the connections between health equity, social determinants, and community partnerships—reminding us that solving hunger isn’t just about food pantries, it’s about systemic change. Tune in as we lead up to the My City My Health Conference on November 14 in Des Moines, where Sarah will join the Food Insecurity panel. Show Notes: 00:00 – Welcome to My City Talks 01:18 – Introducing Sarah Donovan 02:43 – Why she returned to Des Moines 04:14 – Understanding food insecurity in our community 06:40 – Supporting employees facing insecurity 09:20 – Food as culture and community 10:00 – Launching food pantries at Drake University 11:25 – Why partnerships matter in food access 13:13 – Beyond band-aid solutions 14:19 – Education, awareness & community health workers 15:24 – Broadlawns interpreter services & community health work 16:45 – Looking forward to the My City My Health Conference 17:06 – Final thoughts & invitation to connect Connect with Sarah Donovan on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-donovan-239871330/] Learn more about the My City My Health Conference: mycity.health

Fighting Food Insecurity with Jazzmine Brooks | Double Up Iowa & Community Health

In this episode of My City Talks, powered by My City My Health, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Jasmine Brooks, project manager for the USDA-backed Double Up Food Bucks program in Iowa. Together, they explore the realities of food insecurity, the cultural significance of food, and the importance of choice in nutrition. From the lost art of cooking to the challenges of accessing fresh produce through SNAP, Jasmine shares real-life insights on how programs like Double Up Iowa are helping families stretch their dollars, support local farmers, and reclaim their health. This conversation is a preview of the upcoming My City My Health Conference in Des Moines on November 14, where leaders, advocates, and community members will gather to move from conversation to action. 🎟️ Register for the conference: https://mycity.health [https://mycity.health?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 🔗 Learn more about Double Up Iowa: https://doubleupiowa.org Topics covered in this episode: * Jasmine’s journey into food insecurity work (01:00) * How Double Up Food Bucks stretches SNAP dollars (02:45) * Why food insecurity is about more than “boxes of food” (04:00) * Cooking as a lost art (05:30) * Eating for color: simple nutrition tips (06:30) * Cultural pride vs. healthy eating (10:00) * Access, education, and the stigma of food assistance (13:00) * How Double Up Food Bucks supports local farmers & grocers (18:00) * SNAP, Medicaid, and funding challenges in Iowa (20:00) * Turning conversation into action at My City My Health (25:00) * How to connect with Jasmine Brooks & Double Up Iowa (30:00) Resources & Links: * 🎟️ Register for My City My Health Des Moines (Nov. 14): https://mycity.health [https://mycity.health?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * 🌱 Double Up Iowa: https://doubleupiowa.org * 💡 Presented by UnityPoint Health: https://www.unitypoint.org

Black Men’s Health, Prevention & Equity in Iowa w/ Dr. Gregory Johnson

👉 Want to continue the conversation in person? Join us at the My City My Health Conference in Des Moines on November 14. Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/my-city-my-health-des-moines--2025 In this episode of My City Talks, Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Dr. Gregory Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at UnityPoint Health, to discuss the urgent challenges and opportunities around Black men’s health in Iowa. They dive into why Black men are less likely to seek preventive care, the importance of screenings for prostate and colon cancer, and the role of social determinants of health in shaping outcomes. Dr. Johnson also shares insights on the financial cost of health inequities, how telemedicine can bridge access gaps, and why patients should see their doctors as partners in health. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of prevention, access, and how health systems can better meet communities where they are. Show Notes – Black Men’s Health, Prevention & Equity in Iowa w/ Dr. Gregory Johnson 00:00 – Intro & Welcome 01:00 – Dr. Gregory Johnson’s journey into medicine and leadership 04:40 – From bedside medicine to population health 07:30 – What healthcare access really means: speed to treatment & patient experience 10:00 – Why Black men avoid going to the doctor and the cost of waiting 13:30 – Prevention matters: prostate, colon, and heart disease screenings 16:40 – The financial toll of health inequities in Iowa ($8.6B annually) 19:30 – Barriers to access: transportation and social determinants of health 23:40 – Meeting patients where they are & community-based solutions 25:00 – Doctors as partners in health, not just transactions 27:20 – Diabetes in Iowa: 100,000 undiagnosed cases 29:00 – Innovation in access: telemedicine and rural outreach 32:00 – Closing thoughts, My City My Health conference, and where to connect

Civic Power, Real Talk, and Black Health in Des Moines (with Abena Sankofa Imhotep)

Abena Sankofa Imhotep—author, podcaster, and moderator of the Civic Engagement Panel at this year’s My City My Health Conference—joins Corey Dion Lewis to talk about what civic power really looks like in 2025. From voting and fundraising to storytelling and showing up in community spaces, this conversation unpacks the layers of visibility, accountability, and connection that drive public health outcomes for Black communities. They also explore the myth of “Iowa Nice,” why storytelling personalizes health data, and how public health can’t be a one-and-done conversation. This episode is personal, rooted, and full of real takeaways. 🎟️ Register for My City My Health Des Moines (Nov 14): https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/my-city-my-health-des-moines--2025 [https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/my-city-my-health-des-moines--2025] — Show Notes: 00:00 – Intro: Why This Conversation Matters 01:10 – Abena’s Roots and Love for Des Moines 03:00 – What Civic Engagement Means 06:45 – Showing Up, Boards, and Community Work 10:15 – Fundraising, Bake Sales, and Local Impact 12:30 – The Bike Lane Analogy & Marginalized Communities 15:00 – Deconstructing “Iowa Nice” and Accountability 19:40 – Public Health Is Personal 22:00 – Storytelling that Humanizes Data 25:30 – Stephen’s Story: Prostate Cancer in the Black Community 28:40 – Abena’s Work: Sankofa Group, Substack, Podcast 33:30 – Final Thoughts + Conference Preview Follow Abena:  🌐 https://www.abenasankofa.com  📰 The Imhotep Report on Substack  🎙️ Black and Privileged in America Podcast Subscribe to My City Talks for more real conversations at the intersection of health, equity, and community.