For the Common Good: A Community Artist Interview with Anna Jinja Kees
I’m so thrilled to end the year with an interview of Anna Jinja Kees, my friend and all around amazing human being. Anna and I connected this year through our mutual friend, Akwi Nji, and became instant kindred spirits. Also Ames-based, Anna’s energy is uplifting, inspiring, and infectious. She’s one of those folks who infuses every conversation, gathering, and organization with connection, creativity, and empowerment. The Ames community sure is lucky, that’s all I’m saying.
Each Tuesday evening, Anna hosts Heart2Heart Messages, an hour-long show on KHOI, Ames’ community radio station. Heart2Heart Messages envisions a world where everyone has a loving adoption experience by connecting audiences to the adoption experience in all facets of their lives. In Anna’s words, she “was adopted as an infant and grew up in Iowa. After leaving and returning to her home state, she has come to believe that we all experience adoption in our lives. We actively choose people, values, and dreams that define who we are in this world.”
Anna is also the Executive Director of Able Up Iowa, an organization that helps people of all abilities become independent by providing solutions to financial needs and empowering them to achieve their financial goals.
More about Anna:
“Anna was adopted from Seoul, Korea and grew up in Iowa. She went to high school in Des Moines and earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa.
Following her days at the University of Iowa, she worked for Opera Carolina, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, and Kids Voting. She also worked in the Advancement department and earned her master’s degree in Public Administration at Wright State University. She lived in England for over three years before returning to her home state in 2018. Her most recent position is with Able Up Iowa serving as the Executive Director.
Anna has served on several community and regional boards, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals, A Special Wish Foundation, Children’s Defense Fund, League of Women Voters Dayton, and Youth in Philanthropy Council. Anna was nominated and selected to participate in the 2003 Association of Performing Arts Presenters Emerging Leadership Institute in New York City. She was also nominated and selected as one of the 2006 Dayton Business Journal 40 Under 40 award recipients and most recently was selected to be a member of the 33rd class of Leadership Ames.”
Wisdom. Image courtesy of Anna Jinja Kees and Heart2Heart Messages.
Listen to Anna’s Interview:
I offer each For the Common Good participant to choose their own adventure in terms of the interview format. Fitting for Anna to chose an audio interview with KHOI station manager, Mike Murphy. Please enjoy their conversation below.
Connect with Anna:
Listen each week to Heart2Heart Messages, live or via podcast.
Send an email to hello@heart2heartmessages.com.
Become a sponsor of Heart2Heart or apply to be a guest on the show.
Like learning about the ins and outs of being a community artist or a community arts leader? Check out interviews with artists Akwi Nji, Catherine Reinhart, Jordan Brooks, Reinaldo Correa, Kristin M Roach, Rami Mannan, Jill Wells, and Kaleb Stevens and interviews with community arts leaders Amber Danielson, Allison McGuire, Andy McGuire, and Jennifer Brockpahler.
Have a phenomenal community artist or an inspiring artist leader to suggest? Comment below or email jennifer@whatsgoodproject.com.