DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State and community leaders say the state needs to reduce disparities in the number of minorities in Iowa’s criminal justice system, and they hope an upcoming summit will focus attention on the issue. Leaders including Gov. Terry Branstad spoke Wednesday at the Capitol while introducing the two-day summit in Ankeny in late August. The Iowa-Nebraska National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will host.

Iowa-Nebraska NAACP President Betty Andrews says data show Iowa incarcerates African Americans at a high rate.  Branstad, who will make his first appearance at the annual summit, says Iowa has made progress but more work is needed.

Topics at the summit include fair hiring practices and racial profiling. Community leaders say they hope previously introduced legislation on those issues will pick up momentum next session.