Izaah Knox
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Izaah Knox is a champion for lifelong learning. He is a two-time Drake University graduate, earning an undergraduate in journalism, and a master’s in Education. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Iowa State University. His Masters in Leadership from Drake focused on Urban Revitalization. His Ph.D. dissertation focuses on upward mobility within depressed urban areas.
Even before joining Urban Dreams—when he worked first at Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and then the Des Moines Area Community College as an adjunct advisor, and education coordinator, the focus of Izaah’s career then and now has been to open doors, remove barriers, facilitate partnerships, create educational opportunities and promote mutually beneficial relationships. In his role as Executive Director of Urban Dreams and in his many roles as a community leader, Izaah has been a fierce advocate for improving lives and bridging gaps in four main areas: Community Connectivity, Education and Workforce Development, Mental Health, Substance Abuse. |
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One of the many projects Izaah established to help him achieve these goals was the Executive Vision Series, a collaboration with Tero International to create Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training for business executives in Central Iowa. Izaah’s vision went beyond simply educating people about individual bias and sought to touch the strategic agendas of businesses and facilitate policy change that is essential for lasting and meaningful change. The five-part series was a bold initiative designed to productively harness the societal outrage around racial inequity that found its way into daily business conversation following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
In addition to this important work at Urban Dreams, Izaah serves on multiple boards, and advisory and steering committees. He is past-chair of the Des Moines Human and Civil Rights Commission and a tri-chair of the Capital Crossroads 2.0 Social Capital. Izaah serves on the board of directors for Community Choice Credit Union, the Guardian Project, Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, the Simpson College Board of Trustees, the Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, and he is Commissioner for the City of Des Moines Human and Civil Rights Commission.
Izaah’s service to and influence on others has been recognized and honored as well. In 2012, he was awarded the USA President’s Volunteer Service Award. In 2013, he made the list of Iowa’s Most Interesting and Influential People by the Des Moines Register, was named a Register Person to Watch in 2015, and in 2016 was selected as a Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40. In 2021 he was named among the 25 most influential leaders by the Des Moines Business Record. Truly, Izaah is a trailblazer and innovator in the field of lifelong learning.
In addition to this important work at Urban Dreams, Izaah serves on multiple boards, and advisory and steering committees. He is past-chair of the Des Moines Human and Civil Rights Commission and a tri-chair of the Capital Crossroads 2.0 Social Capital. Izaah serves on the board of directors for Community Choice Credit Union, the Guardian Project, Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, the Simpson College Board of Trustees, the Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, and he is Commissioner for the City of Des Moines Human and Civil Rights Commission.
Izaah’s service to and influence on others has been recognized and honored as well. In 2012, he was awarded the USA President’s Volunteer Service Award. In 2013, he made the list of Iowa’s Most Interesting and Influential People by the Des Moines Register, was named a Register Person to Watch in 2015, and in 2016 was selected as a Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40. In 2021 he was named among the 25 most influential leaders by the Des Moines Business Record. Truly, Izaah is a trailblazer and innovator in the field of lifelong learning.