Iowa-based Inclusive Cultural University works to empower communities through the value of respect
In front of a room of law enforcement members on Monday, father-son duo Del and Jonnell Marion are leaving their mark. They're working to make a difference through their company, Inclusive Cultural University.
"The mission is to empower each person with a consciousness of the part they play to promote an inclusive, safe, and equitable society," ICU founder Jonnell Marion said.
In its seventh year, ICU continues to take Jonnell Marion and his father, Del Marion, to a number of places, including the governor's office, companies and schools across Iowa.
"We do certain things, whether it's walking hallways, but also going to lunch rooms and see what they're really about," Jonnell Marion said. "They have an opportunity to see a tangible person that is going to pretty much connect with them, build with them, understand them."
However, a key partnership ICU develops is with Iowa police departments and sheriff’s offices.
Right now, ICU partners with more than 20 law enforcement agencies.
"Everyone keeps saying that law enforcement officers need to be retrained or they need to be defunded," Del Marion said. "They resent that. So we packaged it and we create an orientation and then we do a workshop."
The workshop involves police chiefs, officers, deputies and more actively taking part in discussions and exercises.
"When people get a chance to interact, then they are active and they feel that you give them the opportunity to value opinions," Del Marion said.
ICU has partnered with the Marshalltown Police Department for the last six years.
It's a partnership Chief Michael Tupper tells KCCI has been very impactful for him and his officers.
"It has reminded them of the importance of just treating people with dignity and respect," Tupper said.
Tupper tells KCCI the partnership involves a lot of things, including Del and Jonnell Marion going on ride-a-longs.
"You get an opportunity to really get the perspective of what they deal with, how they interact with citizens, and the highlights and sometimes the frustrations that come with the job," Jonnell Marion said.
Jonnell Marion says the end goal is for people to operate with respect throughout society.
That's why Jonnell Marion and his father do what they do and, Jonnell Marion says, for his sons, who he refers to as his "supervisors."
"They didn’t ask to be born into this world and I have a responsibility as their earthly father to guide, guard, and govern them," Jonnell Marion said. "That’s definitely a motivation when it comes to them and their peers."