An Iowa Bystander commentary has called for the ouster of the top
official at the Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans,
citing concerns with his leadership and role in the commission
spending $75,000 on a disparity study in Davenport. The commentary's
headline read "Time for a change: Fire Abraham Funchess." It slammed
the commission's division administrator for his "lack of leadership"
in the commission's Ongoing Covenant with Black Iowa (OCBI), which is
a five-year project to improve the lives of blacks in 10 cities. The
article stated Funchess is "one of the nicest people you'll meet in
Iowa" but stated he isn't qualified to do his job and lacks the
leadership skills necessary to lead the OCBI effort and the
commission.