DES Moines BLACK Liberation Movement Collective

The DES Moines BLACK Liberation Movement (DSM BLM Collective) was formally incorporated on October 3, 2021, though its roots trace back to the days following the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. The organization was founded to center BLACK voices, leadership, and ideas while advocating for meaningful, transformative change. DSM BLM Collective affirmed that every BLACK life matters and worked to uplift the dignity, well-being, and lived experiences of BLACK individuals across DES Moines and throughout Iowa. Its programs were created to directly support and improve outcomes for BLACK residents, while also building solidarity with organizations across the state working toward racial justice. DSM BLM Collective dissolved on February 27, 2026, after facing a lack of sustained financial support needed to continue its operations and programming.