2026 LGBTQ Legacy Leader Awards

Celebrating our 8th year, dsm's LGBTQ Legacy Leader awards recognizes the outstanding professional, personal and civic achievements of queer Iowans.

Join us in celebrating the six honorees September 10, 2026.

Networking – 4:30-5:15 p.m.

Program – 5:15-7:00 p.m.

Krause Gateway Center

2026 Legacy Leader Honorees Include:

• Marlú Abarca, author, advocate, artist and nonprofit consultant.
• Keenan Crow, director of policy and advocacy at One Iowa.
• Gregory Neal, pastor at Grace United Methodist Church.
• Matthea Little Smith, retired director of African American outreach for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
• Emerging leader Jordan Mix, education director for Iowa Safe Schools.
• Ally Jill Bjorklund, choir teacher at Ankeny’s Southview Middle School and co-founder of Ankeny Pride.

As a media company, we believe our products should mirror our community both in the ways we celebrate diversity and in the way we facilitate meaningful conversations about equity. We understand this is essential to supporting a strong and growing community.

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