2025 Rising Star Award RecognitionCopyrighted
October 6, 2025
City of Dubuque PRESENTATIONS # 2.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: 2025 Rising Star Award Recognition
SUMMARY: A Telegraph Herald (TH) representative will recognize
Community Impact Director Antonio Mouzon for being
selected as a 2025 TH Media Rising Star.
SUGGUESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. bizTimes Profile of Mouzon
Page 18 of 1264
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A n i o n i c
BY DUSTIN KASS
ntonio Mouzon believes
that he is doing what he was
meant to do.
A man of faith, Mouzon be-
lieves he is serving in the way
that God intended as the di-
rector of the city of Dubuque's Department
of Community Impact.
The department only has been in exis-
tence for a little over a year, but the impact
of its efforts already can be seen.
For example, Iowa's first Equitable Fine
and Fee Program reduces financial penal-
ties for low-income residents in exchange
for volunteering while connecting them with
community resources. It started this year with
overdue city water bills, but it could expand in
the future.
"To truly create a thriving community, we have
to start with one person, one family at a time,"
Mouzon said.
Mouzon, 37, has been named a 2025 TH Me-
dia Rising Star for his career success and civic
engagement.
b truly create a thriving community, we
o start with one person, one family at a
time."
Antonio Mouzon
Page 20 of 1264
'Antonio serves as a powerful role model through his
unwavering commitment to equity, service and inclusive
leadership;' wrote Kristen Dietz, city of Dubuque talent
acquisition manager, in her nomination of Mouzon. "He
leads by example, consistently using his platform to ad-
vocate for underrepresented voices, bridge gaps between
communities and institutions, and challenge the status quo
in meaningful, actionable ways."
Mouzon was born in New York and also lived in Texas
and Germany while growing up in a military family. He
credits his high school football coach with "inspiring me
to think bigger than what I was thinking:' That belief from
his coach and a connection with a recruitment officer from
University of Dubuque led Mouzon to apply to one college.
He became the first in his family to attend college when
he arrived at UD. He earned his bachelor's degree in health
and wellness.
His path after college included owning a health and
wellness business and serving as an instructor of personal
empowerment for more than six years at UD, during which
time he completed his master's degree. He also since has
earned his Ph.D.
In July 2023, Mouzon was hired to lead the city's Multi-
cultural Family Center.
"That got me even more invested in the community and
especially the downtown community," he said, noting that
his work was "fueled by passion, fueled by purpose."
In July 2024, he was named the city's city impact director.
His department uses programming, events and advocacy
in efforts to improve the quality of life for residents. The
Multicultural Family Center and local AmeriCorps pro-
gramming also fall under the department's responsibilities.
"We're truly valuing people, and we're people -centered;'
Mouzon said.
ANTONIO MOUZON
Age: 37.
Job title: Director of Office of Community Impact,
city of Dubuque.
Family: Wife, Alicia, and children Avionnah, 13;
Avaeah, 10; Avahni, 6; Adonis, 4; and Amias, 1.
Community involvement: Greater Dubuque
Development Corp. board member, Dupaco
Community Credit Union board member, Dubuque
Black Men Coalition member and Phi Beta Sigma
Fraternity Inc. member.
City officials said the impact of his work is already evident.
"His ability to bring people together, drive measurable
results, and lead with both vision and compassion posi-
tions him as a rising star in public sector leadership with
clear business and community impact," Dietz wrote.
Outside of work and a busy family life as a husband and
father of five children, Mouzon gives back through vol-
unteer work and mentorship. He serves on the boards of
Greater Dubuque Development Corp. and Dupaco Com-
munity Credit Union, and he is a member of Dubuque
Black Men Coalition and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
"Every minute counts, and I love to be productive," he
said. `Again, it's not work — it's service. It's not work — it's
purpose."
Dietz highlighted Mouzon's mentorship of young peo-
ple, "particularly those from underserved backgrounds."
"Whether through formal service or informal mentor -
ship, Antonio leads with a spirit of giving and a passion
for building stronger, more connected communities;' she
wrote.
"Every minute counts, and I love to be productive.
Again, it's not work — it's service. It's not work — it's purpose."
Antonio Mouzon
�s
Rising Star Award Winner
`i Antonio Mouzon
City of Dubuque
Community Impact Director
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Page 21 of 1264