Author

Gretchen Lembcke Pena

Gretchen Lembcke Peña is a multimedia bilingual journalist originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She holds a B.A in Multimedia Journalism from Lynn University and recently earned her M.A in Bilingual Journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Her reporting centers on community and cross-cultural storytelling with a focus on representation. Gretchen has long been passionate about writing surrounding social issues, arts, culture, and entertainment, which led her to pursue journalism. Outside the newsroom, she spends her time tackling her reading goal for the week.

Gretchen's Latest Articles

Five Des Moines students receive Inaugural Teree Caldwell-Johnson Servant Leader Scholarships

The inaugural scholarship recognizes underserved students pursuing higher education while carrying forward Teree Caldwell-Johnson's commitment to opportunity and service.

Des Moines resident shares firsthand witness of life in West Bank

Urbandale resident Tom Rendon shared photographs and firsthand knowledge from locals from a June trip to Palestine.

Central Iowa mentoring nonprofit organizes fall fundraiser for young Iowans

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa's annual Big Shots Golf tournament raises funds to connect young people with caring mentors across the region.

Sounds of West 7th festival returns to celebrates Sioux City’s cultural history

After a year-long hiatus, the festival returns with performances from local artists, food trucks and a commemoration of Sioux City's jazz scene.

DART prepares transportation service for annual Iowa State Fair

The Iowa State Fair begins this week. DART's Park & Ride will help you get there.

New ACLU report reveals Black Iowa students continue to face disproportionate school arrests, referrals by school resource officers

Report found Black students and students with disabilities face disproportionate arrests and referrals by school resource officers.

The Price of the Style: Toxic chemicals used in synthetic braiding hair raise health concerns for Black Iowans

A study found toxic chemicals and unidentified ones in the hair extensions that Black consumers use to create their popular braided hairstyles.

From the ground up: Reimagining housing in Iowa City

David Houston, founder of nonprofit Homes for My Peeps, brings affordable housing for the Black community in Iowa.

‘Banned in Iowa — Read in Waterloo’: 1619 Freedom School hosts Read-In featuring Black authors, book giveaways

In a time when book bans are becoming increasingly common in schools, the 1619 Freedom School pushes against literary censorship.

NAACP expresses concern over new Iowa law ending police bias training mandate

The Iowa-Nebraska State Area Conference of Branches opposes a new law that went into effect on July 1.