In Episode 13, titled North Meets South, I’m joined by my good friend, April Finley, a woman who has come to embody so many of the themes we’ve talked about on this podcast — Black womanhood, motherhood, leadership, and what it means to build a life far from where you started.
April is a Birmingham, Alabama native, now living in Ames, Iowa, where she’s built a beautiful life alongside her husband, Demetrius, and their daughter. She’s a Tuskegee University alum, a historian working on her master’s in history at Alabama State University, a community organizer, and founder of Jubilee Gospel Choir at Iowa State University.
In our conversation, we unpack what it means for two Black women from very different regions of the country — one Southern, one Midwestern — to find common ground in Iowa.
Growing Up in Birmingham: Legacy, Community, and History in April’s Words
April’s roots run deep in Birmingham, Alabama — one of the most historically significant places in the Civil Rights Movement. Growing up in a city shaped by both the trauma of segregation and the power of Black resilience, April reflects on how that history influenced her upbringing:
“In Birmingham, Black history is living history. I grew up around people who were part of the Movement, people who knew Dr. King, people who marched. That gives you a sense of pride and responsibility.”
April was raised in a close-knit, church-centered Black family, where everyone — from grandparents to cousins — played a role in shaping her identity. Her experience of Blackness was full, present, and affirmed:
“There wasn’t a day I didn’t see Black people in power, leading in church, in schools, in the community. You know you matter when your community reflects your greatness.”
Choosing an HBCU: Tuskegee as a Life-Altering Experience
Although she once dreamed of attending Auburn, life had other plans — and April says God led her to Tuskegee, where she found not only an education but a sense of self that still anchors her today:
“Tuskegee taught me that Black excellence is not an exception; it’s the norm. Being surrounded by Black brilliance every day — from professors to classmates — changed how I saw myself forever.”
Tuskegee also gave her lifelong friendships, leadership opportunities, and her husband, whom she met during a quiz bowl competition.
Her HBCU experience also helped her reclaim a deeper understanding of Black history — beyond what’s taught in schools:
“Tuskegee made me confront our history in a real way — and also showed me our strength. I carry that with me in Iowa.”
From Sweet Home Alabama to Iowa: Adjusting to Life in the Midwest
Moving to Iowa — a place that couldn’t be more different from Birmingham — was a leap of faith when her husband began his PhD in Chemistry at Iowa State.
April was candid about the challenges — from culture shock to navigating predominantly white spaces — but also about the unexpected blessings:
“The biggest adjustment was going from seeing Black people everywhere to sometimes being the only Black woman in the room. But it forced me to be intentional about building community.”
She also reflected on the strength and resilience of Black women in Iowa:
“Black women here are different — strong, independent. They don’t wait for someone to create a space; they create their own. And that’s powerful.”
Creating Space: Jubilee Gospel Choir & The Importance of Black Spiritual Expression
One of April’s most important contributions since moving to Iowa is founding the Jubilee Gospel Choir at Iowa State University, a space for students to express themselves musically, culturally, and spiritually.
“I saw that these students didn’t have a space for gospel music — music that reflects our culture, our faith, our history. Jubilee became that space.”
Jubilee is about more than music — it’s about healing, belonging, and legacy:
“When you sing songs that have carried our people through slavery, segregation, and today’s struggles, you remember you are part of something bigger. And students need that reminder.”
Motherhood and Community: Raising a Black Girl in Iowa
As a mom, April reflected on what it’s like to raise a Black daughter in Iowa, balancing her desire to protect her daughter while giving her a strong sense of self:
“I want her to know where she comes from — to know her history and her worth. And part of that is creating a community around her that reflects her identity.”
April is intentional about connecting with other Black moms, joining community organizations, and showing her daughter what strength and joy look like.
North Meets South: What We Share as Black Women in Iowa
Throughout our conversation, April and I kept coming back to this idea that no matter where you’re from — North or South — there are shared experiences we have as Black women:
- Creating community when it’s not naturally there
- Navigating predominantly white spaces with grace and strength
- Finding joy and pride in our Blackness, even when we’re “the only one”
April shared:
“Whether you’re from Birmingham or Des Moines, we share that understanding of having to navigate worlds that weren’t built for us — and still shining anyway.”
Final Reflections: What Iowa Has Given Us and Where We Go from Here
When I asked April what she would take with her from her time in Iowa, her answer was full of emotion:
“Starting Jubilee, raising my daughter here, and building a circle of sisters — those are the things I’ll always carry. Iowa has made me stronger, and it’s taught me to be intentional about creating spaces where we thrive.”
Closing Thoughts: Black Women Are Bridges — Not Just Between North and South, but Between Past and Future
This conversation reminded me that Black women are bridges — between North and South, between history and the present, between struggle and joy.
April’s story is a testament to what happens when we create home wherever we are, when we refuse to shrink ourselves, and when we build community with purpose.
Whether you’re a Black woman in Alabama, Iowa, or anywhere in between — you are seen, valued, and powerful.
💫 Thank you, April, for your heart, your leadership, and your truth.
Want More Black. Girl. Iowa?
🎧 Listen to the Podcast
Catch April’s episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pandora, iHeart Radio, and YouTube. Each episode shares powerful stories, real conversations, and authentic Black voices from Iowa.
🛍 Shop the Merch
Show your love for the podcast and represent the movement! Visit the Black Girl Iowa Etsy Shop to grab tees, journals, and more.
📲 Follow & Connect
Join the community on Instagram and TikTok: @blackgirliowa.
Visit the blog and explore more content at www.blackgirliowa.com.
💬 Subscribe, Rate, and Review
If the podcast has inspired or moved you, let the world know. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend!
Black. Girl. Iowa. 