Noted as one of Iowa's most acclaimed leaders, Betty C. Andrews, through commitment to excellence, has built a reputation as a brilliant businesswoman, a powerful civil rights advocate, and a strong proponent of connecting people around education, culture and arts.  Betty finds tremendous fulfillment and success in creating, organizing, and promoting opportunities that build community.  Betty is president & CEO of Betty Andrews Media (BAM,) a media, events, and strategic communications firm where I'll Make Me a World in Iowa – Iowa's African American Festival is one of her key clients. She serves as Executive Director for the organization.  

Andrews is a gifted strategist  and has provided extensive coaching, branding, media consulting and promotion for clients like The Annie E. Casey Foundation, The United Way, The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, Lt. Governor Joy Corning, Lt. Governor Sally Pederson and the Iowa Committee on Diversity, Drake University, the Institute for Social and Economic Development, the Iowa Status of African-Americans, Civic Music, African American Museum of Iowa, Hoyt Sherman Place, Central College, the NAACP, Youth Vote Coalition, The Central Iowa Chapter of the American Red Cross, The Regional Red Cross Service Area (175 Chapters) and numerous other clients.     

In 2014 Betty Andrews was elected President of the Iowa-Nebraska NAACP State Area Conference of Branches, representing over 30 units of the organization.  Since then, with her vision and strategic insights, she, with the support of the units, has significantly increased the visibility, platform, and achievements of the NAACP in both states including highly successful advocacy for law and policy changes. Andrews is also a 10-year elected member of the National NAACP Resolutions Committee.  In December 2023 Betty was elected to the NAACP National Board of Directors.  She joined the 64–member board representing the Midwestern Region. (Region IV) which covers the largest geographic area among the seven regions of the NAACP, spanning across 10 states. 

Betty had a substantial career in broadcasting, previously serving as Public Affairs Director and Talk Show Host for three Des Moines radio stations:  KJJY, KRKQ, and KBGG. She continues to host various television talk shows, documentaries for local and national clients and has produced several broadcast productions.   

Betty is credentialed in Strategic Communications for Non-profits from American University and the Center for Communications and Community at UCLA.  She received certification in non-profit strategic planning from Iowa State University and is a graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership institute.  Betty is a sought-after speaker and presents frequently on Criminal Justice Reform, Black History and Business Development.  

She serves/has served on a host of boards and committees including Governor's FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice Reform, Iowa Supreme Court Juvenile Justice Taskforce, CASP Strategic Plan Committee, The Governors Criminal Justice Reform Working Group, the Directors Council, the Metro Arts Alliance, Drake University Diversity Task Force, The Des Moines Playhouse Executive Board (Vice President of the Kate Goldman Children's Theater), Des Moines Branch NAACP Executive Committee, The Morris Scholarship Board, Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Curriculum Committee, The African American Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa, The United Way of Central Iowa Investment Committee, National Association of Parliamentarians, Central Iowa & Eastern Iowa Parliamentarians, Jack and Jill of America, Inc. etc.    

Ms. Andrews is also a registered lobbyist and parliamentarian, an award-winning playwright, and a dynamic public speaker and facilitator.  Her work includes founding the Iowa Summit on Justice & Disparities, training hundreds of judges and successfully championing criminal justice reforms like Iowa's Executive Order 7, which allows formerly incarcerated Iowans to vote.   

Among many other accolades her work has been lauded by President Obama, Google, several Iowa Governors and Chief Justices, the American Bar Association, Bryan Stevenson's Equal Justice Initiative and Iowa National Bar Association. A high achiever from birth, Betty sums up her standard of excellence and commitment in her business tagline and personal motto:  Leave 'em saying "Wow!"