Ames, Iowa, celebrates diversity

by Carrie Boron

December 1, 2003 | | Ames, IA

 

The small university town of Ames, Iowa, is taking steps on many fronts to honor and celebrate race and diversity.

With more than 250 people participating in study circles on "Race, Ethnicity, and Community Relations" since 2000, action proposals from the program, called DIALOGUES, have prompted some major changes in the city. From the newspaper, to the chamber of commerce, to the city council, agencies and businesses are joining volunteers to make action ideas a reality.

"High school and university students, senior citizens, business people and new and long-time residents have participated to discuss how Ames can be less discriminatory and more welcoming to all people," said program coordinator Jan Beran of the Ames Human Relations Commission.

Traditionally thought of as a predominately white community, Ames encountered a growing number of immigrant students from nearby Iowa State University. To help the community find ways to adapt to and welcome new diverse residents, the Ames Human Relations Commission and the Chamber of Commerce partnered to initiate a study circle program on diversity in the community.

In October, volunteers for the second year organized a citywide festival to celebrate its diversity of folk life in dance, song, traditional arts, and ethnic foods in the community. As part of an action proposal from the community's study circles, the FACES (Families of Ames Celebrate EthnicitieS) festival drew more than 5,000 people and featured a variety of cultural events.

Ames residents enjoyed activities such as the Indian Cultural Association Youth Orchestra and Dancers, a Sudanese story teller, African-American hip-hop, a Kids Fun Zone, interactive booths, a Latin jazz group, and more. Residents also had the chance to try a variety of ethnic foods ranging from Iowa pork chop on a stick to Laotian fried noodles. Nearly 200 volunteers helped coordinate this event, which was free to the public.

Other results from the study circles include:

• The Ames Tribune has begun featuring people of various races and ethnicities as active contributing community members.
• To accommodate the growing Hispanic community, Ames city government has posted new road signs in Spanish and has summarized its guide to city services in a Spanish language insert.
• To help and support local businesses handling various workplace issues with a changing workforce, the Chamber of Commerce acted on action proposals recently developed a diversity consumerism committee. It sponsored a luncheon series on "The Workplace and Faith Practices," and has encouraged businesses to send employees to participate in the city's study circles.

Learn more: Diversity