Anthony Pawnell Jr.
Title IX coordinator, Des Moines Area Community College
Age: 31
Education: Bachelor’s in law, politics and society, Drake University; Juris Doctor, Drake University
Spouse: Diana Pawnell
Children: Ajani Pawnell
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Tell us four of your proudest accomplishments or accolades.
Raised over $3.6 million in scholarship funding for Drake students in the Crew Scholars Program.
Assisted in over 600 cases in three years as a civil rights specialist at the Iowa Office of Civil Rights.
Facilitated the connection between the National Lawyers Guild and BLM chapter in Des Moines to protect observers during the protests of 2020-2021.
Signed a record deal with Station1 records in 2017, and was the first hip-hop artist to be named Iowa Public Radio’s Artist of the Month in August 2021.
What’s an experience or memory that influenced how you saw the world or what you wanted to do in life?
My mission was born the night police threw my uncles, friends and me to the ground during an illegal search. Experiencing that injustice firsthand made me vow to understand the law, protect my community and help others stand strong when they feel powerless.
What’s one decision you made early in your career that had an outsized impact?
The decision to never give up on the version of myself who believed I could do everything I set my mind and heart to.
What are your aspirations for the future?
I aspire to build an institution where education, art and law converge to transform the lives of young people. I envision a place that ignites creativity, teaches empowerment and equips youths in underserved communities to rise, lead and rewrite their futures with confidence and hope.
What are you still working on to improve as a leader?
I am working on building leaders outside of myself and looking to improve my level of understanding and communication with the leaders of tomorrow.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a young professional?
Anything that could have stopped you would have done it already.
What’s one regular habit that’s made you successful?
I wake up early and attack the work before it ever has a chance to attack me.
What’s one outdated way of thinking that you’d like to challenge?
I want to challenge the idea that experience is a proxy for competence. Someone can spend 30 years doing a type of work, but if their results remain stagnant, longevity becomes a résumé line and not evidence of impact. If we want organizations and communities to evolve, we can’t just maintain; we must multiply.
What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address, and why?
Central Iowa leaders need to reclaim its pride. Iowa is rich in history, culture and talent, yet too often we undersell ourselves. When we don’t honor where we come from, we let others define us. Iowa isn’t a flyover state; it’s the heart of the heartland, and it should shine like it.
What’s one fun fact about you?
I was a professional choreographer with my middle school dance group called “super sick crew” for six years.
Hobbies: Boxing, writing poetry and reading nonfiction books
What is one word that best describes you?
Tenacious.
What’s one food you think people must try in the Des Moines area?
Chicken shawarma from Open Sesame.
What’s the funniest or most surprising thing that’s happened to you recently?
I recently became a father.
What’s your favorite tradition to participate in locally?
The promenade in East Village.
What is your go-to snack?
Oranges.