Sami Enos

I helped create the #DiversityIsOurStrength project, working as the Design Lead.

My Family History

My great grandparents’ family (on my mom’s side) immigrated to Iowa from Italy in the early 1900s, seeking the widely available coal mining jobs and a better life. Victor (great grandpa) and Lucia (great grandma) met in the 1930s while working at a packing house in the Des Moines area. They secretly got married because the packing house had strict rules against co-worker marriages.

Living in Iowa

I grew up in Ankeny, Iowa. I think that my compassion, determination, and genuineness really define me as an Iowan. I love how honest and kind everyone is. I’m proud that this state has given me these traits, and that Iowa has taught me the importance of looking out for others. Another Iowa trait that I definitely identify with is the lingo: oop sorry, you’re fine, yeah no, and no yea. Iowa is also special because you can be in a city/suburb and then five minutes of driving later you’re in a cornfield.

My Dreams

I am good at design and art-related skills, communicating and encouraging others, making connections, and making Spotify playlists. My dream is to become a freelance graphic designer or run my own design firm, move to Italy, and live on a vineyard! Or somewhere where I can collaborate with other passionate art makers and get inspired.

A Teacher Who Changed My Life

Chris Allen, English teacher, Ankeny Centennial High School. Bettina Fabos, Professor of Interactive Digital Studies, University of Northern Iowa. Mr. Chris Allen really cares about his students and is incredible. He significantly changed my perspective on language arts, and pushed me to achieve my full potential-- he was one of my biggest supporters! Dr. Bettina Fabos inspires me so much with all of her creative ideas and passion projects. Her enthusiasm reminds me of how the things we create are so important.

My Favorite Thing

Abstract screenprint art piece

I created this abstract screenprint during my sophomore year at UNI. It is full of color, spontaneity, a little bit of chaotic energy, and cohesiveness -- all things that describe my life. Creativity and expressiveness are vital to my overall happiness and something I think we should all lean into more. This piece is printed on top of a vinyl record sleeve, which is symbolic to me because I have strong emotional ties to music and I also collect vinyl records as a hobby.

What #DIVERSITYISOURSTRENGTH means to me

The #DiversityIsOurStrength project symbolizes hope and celebrates the greatness that comes out of diversity within our Cedar Valley community. After reading Nikole Hannah Jones’ 1619 Project, I can acknowledge the prevalent inequality and institutional racism in our society, and become more fully aware of my privilege as a white female, and what is going on around me in my community and in our nation as a whole. #DiversityIsOurStrength embodies the need for social justice, and a good place to start is education.

Alex Knospe Amanda Jensen Annebel Trumm Ben VanHorn Brett Foreman Colin Hughes Connor Gibson Dakota Davis Elexia San Nicolas Hannah Stater Kalei Owens Leslie Owusu Madison Watland Preston Larson Reagan Saul Sami Enos

#DiversityIsOurStrength is a public web and mural project developed by Interactive Digital Studies (IDS) majors at the University of Northern Iowa. IDS is an interdisciplinary program focusing on creating digital experiences. We are using what we’ve learned in our culminating IDS Practicum course to create a highly visible public project that both addresses the challenges and embraces the future of educational diversity in the Cedar Valley.

One inspiration for this project came from the 24/7 Wall Street article that identified Waterloo and Cedar Falls as the #1 worst metro area for Black Americans in 2018. Having this distinction continues to be disturbing for all of us. Our second inspiration comes from 1619 Project, a New York Times initiative led by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Waterloo native Nikole Hannah-Jones. The project reframes the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.

Thank you to literacy educator Dr. Shuaib Meacham, Associate Professor at the University of Iowa, who has guided this project.

Also thank you to Anthony Woodley and Mack Vos for helping in the final stages of the project. Due to COVID-19, the project became delayed and was unable to be completed by the end of the spring semester, and without their help, the project could not have been finished.

PROJECT DOCUMENTATION

Contact Us

Email: diversitystrength@uni.edu