Ako Abdul-Samad

Current Office: State House
Current District: 66
Office Seeking: State House
District Seeking: 66
Party: Democratic

Author, photographer, and counselor, Ako Abdul-Samad has impacted the lives of thousands of individuals and families for over three decades. As the CEO/Founder of Creative Visions Human Development Center in Des Moines, Iowa Ako has established this non-profit organization and serves as the senior executive officer. Ako has also established and directed business functions which include Employment Assistance and Support Services, Healthcare Management, Community Development and Advocacy, and consultancy on Culture & Diversity Education. Ako has recently published his first book, "A Deeper Truth, Revelations of the Soul", a collection of poems depicting personal experiences and events within his own life's journey and journey's of those he has encountered. In 2004, Ako was awarded the National Caring Award, the Caring Institute seeks to identify, honor and reinforce the activities of particularly caring Americans; those who enable the human race by transcending themselves in service to others by dedicating the better parts of their lives to helping those in need. They have created solutions where others have despaired of finding answers. The power of Ako's example inspires a new standard of social responsibility. 


Professional Experience: Author, A Deeper Truth, Revelations of the Soul
Chief Executive Officer/Founder, Creative Visions Human Development Center
Vice President, KUCB Radio
Writer/Co-Producer, Teen Talk
Writer/Producer/Director, Understanding Islam.

Political Experience:
Representative, Iowa State House of Representatives, 2007-present.

Organizations:
Black Panther Party, Des Moines, Iowa Chapter
Vice President, Center for the Study and Application of Black Economic Development
Member, International Civil Rights Solidarity Movement
Founder/President, National African-American Islamic Association
Co-Founder/Coordinator, Young Men's Christian Association Downtown Teen Program.




Committees:
Education, Member
Human Resources, Vice Chair
Labor, Member
State Government, Member
Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, Member



Paid and authorized by Citizens for Ako Abdul-Samad