Why we are “All-In” on Waterloo, Iowa
Nyra Jordan, Community and Social Impact Investment Director for the American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact, and American Family Insurance are committed to closing equity gaps in the communities we live and serve. In Waterloo, Iowa, our partnership with the All-In-Grocers development is another step toward achieving this dream. Read Nyra’s thoughts on why we’re ‘All-In’.
It is hard to meet Rodney Anderson and not immediately feel part of his family. It’s also impossible not to be moved by his dreams for his community. His is non-stop energy and determination to improve his community of Waterloo, Iowa.
Waterloo is a city that’s been defined as being one of the worst places to be Black in America. Wide gaps in income, unemployment, and homeownership run along racial lines. Segregation still exists today. It’s not enforced by any laws, but by the economics of finding affordable housing. A racial wealth gap has festered over the generations.
Rodney wants to change that.
It’s taken him years to advance the All-In Grocers development that’s now being built on the city’s northeast side, where Waterloo’s African-American population largely lives and has no current access to fresh fruit and vegetables. The neighborhood meets the textbook definition of a food desert.
But All-In is not just a grocery store. The 28,000-square foot development will also include a restaurant, a community center, a laundromat, an after-school program focused on literacy, and a nonprofit partner providing re-entry services to the formerly incarcerated.
Watch the KWWL-TV story from February 16 on the construction status and the impact this development will have on the community.
“You have everything here that’s an anchor in any community, Black or white,” said Rodney. “It’s going to be a beacon of light in a community where a lot of people don’t have chances or opportunities.”
The American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact is proud to partner with Rodney in Waterloo. He’s working to close equity gaps and we’re honored to support him.
American Family’s investment in Waterloo, Iowa is an opportunity to immerse ourselves with the individuals transforming their communities. We understand that structural barriers can prevent families and individuals from achieving their dreams, but we’re committed to doing our part to support efforts in clearing these obstacles.
As Rodney always says, this isn’t just a grocery store. It’s a project about hope.
It’s pretty easy to be passionate about that and why we’re “All In” going forward as well.
# # #
About the American Family Insurance group
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance group is the nation’s 12th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 251 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, The General, Homesite and Main Street America Insurance. Across these companies the group has more than 13,000 employees nationwide.