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Ako Abdul-Samad's Biography
Contact Information
Capitol Email
ako.abdul-samad@legis.iowa.gov
Capitol Website
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?personID=6284&ga=87
General Website
http://iowahouse.org/members/ako-abdul-samad/
Capitol
1007 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50314
Phone: 515-281-3221
District
1506 18th Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
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Full Name:
Ako Abdul-Samad -
Gender:
Male -
Birth Date:
1951 -
Birth Place:
Des Moines, IA -
Home City:
Des Moines, IA -
Religion:
Muslim
- Attended, Des Moines Area Community College
- Graduated, National Conference of Black Lawyers Community College of Law and International Diplomacy
- Representative, Iowa State House of Representatives, 2007-present
- Assistant Minority Leader, Iowa State House of Representatives, present
- Former Assistant Majority Leader, Iowa State House of Representatives
- Former Vice President, School Board, Des Moines Public Schools
- School Board Member, Des Moines Public Schools, 2004-2007
- Environmental Protection, Member
- Human Resources, Member
- Public Safety, Member
- Subcommittee on Administration and Regulation (Joint Appropriations), Member
- Subcommittee on International Relations, Member
- Chair, Iowa Democratic Black Caucus, present
- Former Member, Administration and Rules Committee, Iowa State House of Representatives
- Former Member, Education Committee, Iowa State House of Representatives
- Former Assistant Minority Leader, Iowa House of Representatives
- Former Member, Legislative Council Committee, Iowa State House of Representatives
- Former Member, Subcommittee on Capital Projects, Iowa State House of Representatives
- Chief Executive Officer/Founder, Creative Visions Human Development Center, 1995-present
- Photographer, present
- Vice President, KUCB Radio, present
- Employee, Patton's Restaurant & Catering, present
- Writer/Co-Producer, Teen Talk, present
- Writer/Producer/Director, Understanding Islam, present
- Founder/President, African-American Islamic Association, present
- Chair, American Muslim Alliance, present
- Member, Black Panther Party, Des Moines, Iowa Chapter, present
- Co-Founder, Black Student Union, Iowa, present
- Vice President, Center for the Study and Application of Black Economic Development, present
- Member, International Civil Rights Solidarity Movement, present
- Founder/President, National African-American Islamic Association, present
- Co-Founder/Coordinator, Young Men's Christian Association Downtown Teen Program, present
Awards:
2009 Martin Luther King Jr. Community Activist award
National Caring Award in 2004
Bankers Trust Award 2015
Favorite Movie:
Malcom X
Favorite Musician:
Marvin Gaye
Favorite Quote:
"Life or death-our children r precious to us." Ako Abdul-Samad
"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired" Fannie Lou Hammer
"Remember to give your child or children a hug while saying I love you." Ako Abdul-Samad
"Their are two important days in your life the day you are born and the day you find out why." Mark Twain
Favorite Sport:
Muhammad Ali
Favorite TV Shows:
Soul Train
Publications:
The Deeper Truth: Revelations of the Soul