Debra Carr was honored as the 2023 Iowa Juneteenth Citizen of the Year.

Yesterday was Juneteenth, the federal holiday that marks the day more than 150 years ago when the last vestige of slavery was informed of its end in Texas, over two years after Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Des Moines Public Schools is honored to share that one of our school district family – Debra Carr – was named Citizen of the Year by Iowa Juneteenth.

Debra is the Student Services Coordinator for five middle schools: Brody, Callanan, McCombs, Merrill, and Weeks. Last year she was presented with the Catherine G. Williams Lifetime Diversity Achievement Award by the National Association of Social Workers.

The Iowa Juneteenth Citizen of the Year award is given to a community leader who has had a positive impact on the community and has a passion and commitment for people.

“Debra was selected for commitment to her community,” said Dwana Bradley, a member of the Des Moines School Board and chairperson of Iowa Juneteenth. “She tirelessly works with other organizations in the community making sure they will make an impact in everything they hope to accomplish. Debra also has a heartbeat for people and making sure they lives their best lives.”

We asked Debra to share with us her thoughts on being recognized by Iowa Juneteenth:

“Juneteenth is a celebration of progress and the acknowledgement of the work that remains to ensure life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is a reality for all of us. Juneteenth is an affirmation of the courageous efforts of men and women who sacrificed their lives in the fight for liberation and freedom we continue to strive for today. 

“The resilience demonstrated and significant sacrifices made have created the opportunity for me to live my values and “pay forward,” what was passed on to me.  I’m honored by the commitment of the Iowa Juneteenth Committee to engage members of our community to acknowledge those they believe make a positive difference in our community. The shoulders of those I stand on have led me to live a life of care, compassion, empathy and advocacy for those most marginalized throughout my community and across Iowa. I’m committed to uplift and empower people to build their capacity to become impactful change agents throughout our communities across Iowa.

“I’m grateful to the young woman, Vivette Perry, who nominated me for this prestigious honor and for the selection committee for affirming the nomination. I will continue to fight for equity, liberation, and freedom while modeling responsible citizenship and servant leadership for the betterment of our present climate and for generations to come. “