Found in Translation explores the cultural, economic, and political currents that shape the lives of African immigrants in Eastern Iowa. African immigrants account for around 30,000 people across the state of Iowa and the city of Cedar Rapids, in particular, is a hotspot for immigration. From forging connections with religious communities in the area to establishing farming practices to fill a produce gap for African immigrants, these families have played a hand in irrevocably shaping Iowa’s culture.

This website is the inaugural project from the Iowa Stories and Lived Experiences (ISLE) multimedia documentary workshop offered through the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication. This 16-day workshop was produced by eight student storytellers, two student coaches, four faculty mentors and two community and cultural communication leaders.