This series was reported by Emily Kestel, Michael Crumb, Sarah Bogaards and Nora Felder. Editor’s note: This is part two of a three-part series looking at how the state’s history and values play a role in workplace inclusion. As businesses continue looking to recruit and retain top talent, understanding the nuances of diversity, equity and belonging at work is paramount. Part one focused on Iowa’s history of inclusion, this part focuses on how this affects the workforce, and part three will talk about how leaders can approach solutions. – Emily Barske, Business Record editor

Message to the HR Community (including all UI Health Care org units) Quarterly Harassment Prevention Education

Join Jim Obergefell at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Iowa Memorial Union for a lecture sponsored by the University Lecture Committee. Obergefell draws from his unique experience at the heart of the Supreme Court marriage equality ruling to move and empower audiences to stand by their beliefs and prove that love always wins.

In a recent PBS installment of Amanpour and Company, Tara Bynum, professor of English and African American Studies at Iowa, talks about her new book, Reading Pleasures: Everyday Black Living in Early America, which explores the ways that four early Black writers named and expressed happiness and joy despite living during slavery.

Last week’s tragedy at Michigan State University hit close to home for many members within the University of Iowa community, and it’s natural to have questions about what campus and local authorities are doing to train for, prevent, and respond to a similar incident here. Read about the UI Department of Public Safety’s protocols and procedures and steps you can take to be informed and prepared.