Program will feature local, national speakersNEWTON - United Way of Jasper County is once again bringing innovative and educational programming to Jasper County. The new program is called “Voices of Inspiration” and kicks off in spring of 2024.
“Voices of Inspiration” will feature engaging speakers who will inspire, motivate and inform the audience. The series aligns with the core mission of United Way of Jasper County, which is to uplift and empower the community, and promote life-long learning. Featured speakers for the spring series will include: *viral sensation and philanthropist Carson King on April 4; *Former professional football player Andre Allen on April 11; *Newton resident, Native American and community activist Carol Kramer on April 25; *Historian and founder of Notes on Iowa Dr. Kevin Mason, PhD., on May 2; *Olympic Gold Medalist Ben Peterson on May 9; and *Newton resident, award-winning journalist and author Mike Chapman on May 16. "All our amazing speakers were carefully selected so we could cover a variety of topics, and provide interesting and different viewpoints," said Jessica Lowe Vokes, UWJC Executive Director. "We will feature local residents to international guests from all different backgrounds. The special thing is everyone has a story and there is power and knowledge in hearing people share those stories and this series will focus on that." |
The speakers will present at the 325-seat state-of-the art auditorium at DMACC – Newton Campus. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with programs beginning at 6:30 p.m. Following the programs, some of the guest speakers will have time to meet and greet with those in attendance.
Adults and students alike are encouraged to attend. The event is open to all with a free-will admission collected to help continue and grow the speaker series. Lowe Vokes said she got the idea to develop the series in Jasper County because of past experiences getting to hear programs and the impact it had on her life. "I have had the opportunity to hear some amazing speakers - Civil Rights leader Coretta Scott King, 'Superman' actor Christopher Reeves, astronaut Peggy Whitson, local resident Jean Cleere, former presidents and many others," Lowe Vokes said. "I left those events feeling informed, empowered and I have kept many of the things they said close to heart. They are experiences I won't forget and I wanted to replicate that here." UWJC Board President Deb Pence said the speaker series is just another way the organization is working to reach people, promote education and have a positive impact in Jasper County. "Looking at the lineup we have an impressive group of people who will be part of our first season of speakers," Pence said. "The ability to offer people the chance to learn and engage through these events is just another way United Way of Jasper County is making positive things happen. We are so excited for these events and to offer these memorable experiences." |
Jessica Lowe Vokes
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CARSON KING - April 4CARSON KING – What started out as a funny sign asking for beer money turned into a life changing event for Jasper County, Iowa-native Carson King. During ESPN’s College Game Day coverage of the Iowa State University football game, King’s “need beer money” sign caught national attention. After a few hundred dollars in contributions came in, King decided to donate the total amount to University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospitals (Less $18 for a case of Busch Light). Word spread and King’s plans went viral leading to a $3 million donation from more than 35,000 donors. Today, King continues his philanthropic work through the Carson King Foundation.
Learn more at www.carsonkingfoundation.org |
ANDRÉ ALLEN - April 11ANDRÉ ALLEN – André Allen grew up in King-Irvin neighborhood during the critical time of a heighten crime, drug trafficking and prostitution. He moved from the country side of Itta Bena, Mississippi, to the low-income living in Des Moines, Iowa, but he dreamed of one day living a life where his environment would not negate his position in life. So after graduation he accepted a full scholarship to the University of Northern Iowa where he became one of the most feared Linebackers in the game of football. After graduation from college his dreams of joining the NFL became a reality as an undrafted free agent to the Philadelphia Eagles. After a two-year bid in the NFL, Allen’s career carried him to World Football League for the London Monarchs. He then played for the Montreal Alouettes and Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League. Allen currently holds a B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa & B.A. from Hamilton Business college and a Masters of Business Administration/Technology Management from the University of Phoenix. In addition, he carries other certifications and leadership trainings. Allen has three sons, André (AJ), Trevor and Ayden. -
Learn more at: https://www.blackexcellenceiowa.org/andréallen |
CAROL KRAMER - April 25 CAROL KRAMER - Carol Kramer is an enrolled member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and a life-long conservationist and educator. She was born on the White Earth Reservation in Northern Minnesota and raised by my Anishenabey parents. She lived in a traditional Ojibway home with her father supporting the family by trapping mink, beaver and ermine and hunting wild game in the winter. The whole family helped by finishing Maple syrup and sugar, berry picking, cutting pulp to sell to paper companies, and harvesting wild rice.
Kramer graduated from Bemidji State College. She and her husband Rev. Fritz Kramer were married in 1956, and moved to Newton in 1966 to raise their family. During their time in Newton, they were active in many groups, volunteering thousands of hours, and hosting dozens of foreign exchange students, campaign workers and other visitors to stay in their home. Kramer shared she was involved in “too many things” to list but includes Jasper Conservation Board, Iowa State Dept. of Natural Resources, Project AWAKE Board, Military Academy, Skiff Auxiliary, Willowbrook Day Center and Mitchellville Women’s Correctional Institute, along with many political offices, church involvement. |
KEVIN MASON - May 2Dr. KEVIN MASON, Ph.D. - Kevin Mason serves as Associate Professor of History at Waldorf University, an award-winning author and a member of the State Historical Society of Iowa Board of Trustees.
Mason is also the founder of Notes on Iowa, a social media channel that shares daily interesting historical facts about Iowa and Iowans. Focusing on the history of the American Midwest, and Iowa specifically, Mason strives to help the Iowa community better understand our shared past through multimedia storytelling. Learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/NotesOnIowa or www.notesoniowa.com |
BEN PETERSON - May 9BEN PETERSON - Ben Peterson is former gold-medal winning Olympic wrestler. He competed in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics and won a gold and a silver medal, respectively. He also won a bronze in the 1973 World Championships and a gold medal in the 1975 Pan American Games.
As a college wrestler, Peterson was a two-time NCAA champion at Iowa State. Peterson also coached wrestling at Maranatha Baptist University for 28 years. In 1977, Ben and his brother John, a fellow gold-medal Olympic wrestler, started Camp of Champs Wrestling Camps to help develop wrestling and leadership skills in youth. In 2002, he was inducted in to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Peterson lives in his native Wisconsin with his family, and continues to champion the sport of wrestling, and travels the country sharing his insight and wisdom for life both on and off the mat. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/people/Camp-of-Champs-INC/100064435344183/ |
MIKE CHAPMAN - May 16MIKE CHAPMAN - A native of Waterloo, Iowa, Mike Chapman retired from a 35-year newspaper career in 2002 and in 2009 retired from an 11-year career serving as the executive director of the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum (DGIWIM). Currently he writes books and gives speeches on a wide variety of topics, ranging from Iowa history to the sport of wrestling and to Greek mythology and the Trojan War. He has written 32 books, 17 of them on wrestling, and his articles have appeared in dozens of national and regional magazines. He also wrote the official biography of the nation’s longest serving state governor – Terry Branstad. He has produced four videos and has two screenplays in Hollywood. He has also been featured in a number of documentaries including “Kinnick: The Documentary.” Chapman also created the “Iowa History Journal” and “W.I.N.” publications. He resides in Newton with his wife Bev.
Learn more at: https://www.mike-chapman.com/ |