Building CommUNITY Icebreaker

It’s time to break the ice about inclusion and belonging in North Iowa! This event is an interactive session designed to bring people together, foster meaningful dialogue about what makes our community thrive, and to encourage actionable solutions to challenges we need to address together.

All are invited to attend, free of charge, to participate in the following:

• Live Music: Enjoy background tunes by local artist Cody Fedeler as you arrive and mingle.
• Inspiring Poetry: Hear powerful readings on community and inclusion from area poets Kelli Lage and Dr. Korey Hurni.
• Message of Belonging: Erick Nganyange shares his journey and insights on creating connections through his How It All Started in North Iowa podcast.
• Interactive Discussions: Engage in one-on-one and small group conversations to reflect on moments of belonging, address current challenges, and brainstorm actionable solutions.
• Call to Action: Leave inspired with a personal commitment to strengthen our community.

This session is perfect for anyone passionate about building stronger connections and creating a more inclusive North Iowa. Don't miss this opportunity to share your voice, listen to others, and take part in shaping the future of our community!

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Meet the Speakers:

Korey Hurni
Korey Hurni was born and raised in Lansing, MI, and is currently an Assistant Professor of English & Creative Writing at Waldorf University in Forest City, IA. He earned his PhD from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and his MFA from Western Michigan University. Previously he has served as a poetry editor for Cream City Review and Third Coast. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in West Branch, RHINO, Quarterly West, and elsewhere.

Kelli Lage
Kelli Lage is a Best of the Net and Pushcart nominated poet. She works at MCHS as an English teacher. In Lage's free time, she is the assistant poetry editor at Bracken Magazine and serves as Student Liaison and Franklin Country Representative at the Iowa Poetry Association. She has had over 100 pieces of work published in literary magazines and she is the author of Early Cuts and I'm Glad We Did This, with two collections forthcoming. 

Erick Nganyange
For 24 years, Erick Nganyange has called Mason City home, bringing with him a rich heritage from Tanzania, East Africa. He works an accountant at Comprehensive Systems, Inc., a nonprofit serving individuals with disabilities, and also dedicates his time to a number of community nonprofit boards. He hosts three podcasts exploring philosophy, civil rights, and the stories of North Iowa, reflecting his love for meaningful dialogue and understanding. Erick co-founded Boys to Men, a mentoring program for young men, and is deeply committed to literacy and youth development. A lifelong learner and avid reader, he can often be found at local coffee shops, engaging in conversations or editing his podcasts. Erick believes in the power of shared values, open dialogue, and service to build a flourishing community.