26 Jul 2013

AAMI Seeking History Maker Nominations

By Grant Stevens
(CEDAR RAPIDS, IA) - The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) and the History Makers Selection Committee are currently seeking nominations for 2013 History Maker awards, which will be presented at the History Makers Gala on September 26, 2013 at the Hotel Kirkwood in Cedar Rapids, IA.  More details will be released about the Gala in upcoming weeks.
This year's Gala has two exciting changes in store.  These changes are:
·         This year's Gala will honor both African American women and men for the first time.
·         The 2013 History Makers Gala will be its own stand-alone event.  Proceeds will benefit the AAMI's statewide educational outreach programming and exhibits.
The History Makers Selection Committee is currently accepting nominations.  Nomination forms are available on-line at http://www.blackiowa.org/events/history-makers-gala-2013/ or by contacting AAMI Development Director Grant Stevens at 319-862-2101 ext. 223 or gstevens@blackiowa.org.  Nominations must be received by Tuesday, August 6, 2013.
This is an exceptional opportunity to honor an African American who has truly been a history maker.  This might be someone who has been a trailblazer in their field, been a change agent in their community, left a legacy far beyond their time, or been a role model for all people.  History Makers have come from a wide variety of professions, ages, backgrounds, and life experiences.  We encourage you to nominate anyone you consider to be a History Maker in your community.  A list of past History Makers is available online.
For more information on this or other programs, please visit the AAMI website at www.blackiowa.org or call 319-862-2101 ext. 223.  The AAMI is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and is located at 55 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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29 Apr 2013

AAMI Names New Executive Director

By Grant Stevens
(CEDAR RAPIDS, IA) - Mr. Michael Kates of Des Moines, IA has been selected to replace Tom Moore as Executive Director of the African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI).  Mr. Moore, one of the founders of the AAMI who has served as the second Executive Director since 2003, announced that his retirement will be effective May 31, 2013.
 
During his 10 years at the AAMI, Mr. Moore has guided it through the Grand Opening, years of changing exhibits, the Flood of 2008, the economic recession, and dozens of other challenges.  A retirement reception open to the public will be held May 25 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the AAMI, with remarks at 3:00 p.m.
Over the past eight years Mr. Kates has held positions of increasing responsibility at the Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center in Des Moines, IA, serving as the Executive Director since 2011.  He grew up in Waterloo, IA and  earned both his B.A. and M.A. degrees in History, with an emphasis in Public History, at the University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls, IA); his Master's Thesis was "The Des Moines Crocker Street YMCA: A Legacy of Leaders." Michael served our country with a five year tour of duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. Active in his community, Mr. Kates is a member of the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation Community Connect Leadership Program, and serves as a Board Member on the Museum Education Round Table, the South Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, and the Iowa Museum Association, among others.  He will become the AAMI Executive Director effective May 1, 2013.
Mr. Kates first public event will be the AAMI's 20th Anniversary Celebration Banquet on Thursday, May 2, 2013 from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids Marriott.  More information and tickets for the event are available on-line at www.blackiowa.org.  For more information about the AAMI please call 319-862-2101 ext. 223.  The AAMI is open Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm and is located at 55 - 12th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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25 Apr 2013

AAMI Celebrates 20th Anniversary with events May 2-4, 2013!

By Grant Stevens

(CEDAR RAPIDS, IA) - The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary as an organization with a series of events May 2-4.  The 20th Anniversary Events are:

Thursday, May 2 - 20th Anniversary Celebration Banquet 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids Marriott (1200 Collins Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401).  Join the AAMI for an evening of activities, fellowship, and celebration as reminisce about where the Museum has been and look forward to its future through storytelling and performances.  A formal dinner will be served.  Tickets ($60/Individual, $100/Couple, or $540/Table of 10) can be purchased through the Museum website (www.blackiowa.org/20in2013) or by calling Katherine Smith at 319-862-2101 ext. 216.

Friday, May 3 - Free Friday and Celebration Mixer 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the AAMI.  During the day (10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) enjoy refreshments, free admission, and a look at our newest exhibit "Western Africa: Before the Boats."  If you have never been to the Museum before, or haven't visited recently, Friday is the perfect opportunity.  On Friday evening from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. join us for a Celebration Mixer!  You can ease your way into the weekend by stopping by for a drink, live music, snacks, and free admission to tour our exhibits.  No tickets required.

Saturday, May 4 - 20th Birthday Party 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the AAMI.  Children and families, we are having a birthday party and you're invited!  To start the day off at 10:00 a.m., Eulenspiegel Puppets will present "Freedom Star: Gertie's Journey on the Underground Railroad", a dramatic and moving play that follows a young girl as she travels through Iowa on the Underground Railroad.  At 1:30 p.m., you can learn about African drumming and dance through a dynamic performance by Charles Ahovissi of African Culture Connection.  All throughout the day we will have scavenger hunts, popcorn, face painting, balloon animals, and 20 different ways for you to celebrate our 20th Birthday!  Lunch and a chance to enter the wind tunnel Money Machine will be available for a small fee.  No tickets required.

Founded in 1993, the AAMI opened its current facility in 2003 after a $3.1 Million Dollar Capital Campaign.  The AAMI took on 5.5 feet of water during the Iowa Floods of 2008, but re-opened 6 months later.  In 2012, the AAMI reached 54,715 people through 507 programs.  For more information on these events or the Museum, please visit the AAMI website at www.blackiowa.org or call 319-862-2101 ext. 223.  The AAMI is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and is located at 55 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

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13 Jun 2012

AAMI develops two new traveling exhibits

By Grant Stevens
(CEDAR RAPIDS, IA) - The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) is proud to announce the creation of two new traveling exhibits: "The Only One" and "Against All Odds: The Life of George Washington Carver."
Both portable exhibits include large colored panels (retractable for easy transportation) that can be displayed individually or as a group. These exhibits are available free of charge for use in groups or organizations in Iowa. Previous traveling exhibit locations include libraries, government buildings, colleges, and business offices.
Based on the AAMI's 2012 temporary exhibit of the same name, "The Only One" explores the experiences of Iowans who have been the only African Americans on sports teams, in classrooms, at work and more.  Learn about Alexander Clark, who integrated Iowa schools in 1868 when his daughter Susan enrolled in Muscatine Grammar School #2 or Louis Dade, who won the Iowa Amateur Golf title in 1939 despite being denied access to the Fort Madison Country Club. The three panels of this exhibit specifically focus on social situations, education, and sports.
Funding for "The Only One" travelling exhibit was provided by generous donations from the AEGON Transamerica Foundation, Rockwell Collins, Roy J. Carver Trust, Alliant Energy, General Mills, P&G Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Community Foundation, Sisters of Mercy, State Historical Society of Iowa: Historical Resource Development Program and Tom and Nan Riley.
"Against All Odds: The Life of George Washington Carver" is a four panel exhibit that follows the life and accomplishments of the famous scientist. From his humble beginnings near Diamond, MO to his career as head of the Agricultural Department at the Tuskegee Institute, Carver had a profound impact on agricultural techniques and innovations that continue to shape our world today. The four panels of this exhibit focus on Carver's early life, his education at Simpson College and Iowa State University, his time at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, and his later work in agricultural science.
Funding for "Against All Odds: The Life of George Washington Carver" was provided by generous donations from Dr. Geraldine Felton, James Graham, and Susan Kuecker, and the State Historical Society, Inc.
To reserve panels from either of these exhibits for a group or organization, contact Assistant Educator Tenika Johnson via email at tjohnson@blackiowa.org or by phone at 319-862-2101 ext. 226.
For more information on this or other programs, please visit the African American Museum of Iowa website at www.blackiowa.org or call 319-862-2101 ext. 223.  The AAMI is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and is located at 55 - 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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20 Sep 2011

2011 History Makers Gala to Honor Iowa Women

By Grant Stevens

(CEDAR RAPIDS, IA) - The 2011 History Makers Gala will be held on Thursday September 22,
2011 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI). The Gala will
honor three African American women - Honorable Judge Romonda D. Belcher, Marian Coleman, and Nancy Humbles - who have made history by changing the lives of women - and all Iowans - for the better.

Nancy Humbles of Cedar Rapids has worked in youth services and education in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City communities for over 30 years; she has served as the Director of the Center for Diversity & Enrichment at the University of Iowa since 2007. Ms. Humbles has received numerous awards for her work at the University from other staff as well as student organizations and is a past President of the Jane Boyd Community House. She is active in her community and in 2009 was elected as the first African American to the Cedar Rapids Community School District Board.

Marian Coleman of Iowa City has fought discrimination in all forms for decades. She began teaching in 1969, served as a Principal, and from 1995-2008 was Equity Director for the Iowa City Community School District. Ms. Coleman developed an affirmative action plan, the Spotlight Diversity Celebration, and created tutoring programs. Ms. Coleman co-authored a book, Iowa Women: Our Unsung Heroines, and was awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002 and the Governor's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

Honorable Judge Romonda D. Belcher of Des Moines was appointed a District Associate Judge in August of 2010, becoming Iowa's first African American female judge. She attended Howard University (Washington, DC) and Drake University Law School in Des Moines. Upon graduation, Honorable Judge Belcher worked in the Polk County Attorney's Office where she prosecuted juvenile, criminal and civil matters for 15 years. She is very active in her community, mentoring law school students and serving on the boards of various organizations.

The Gala is being held in conjunction with the 2011 African American Women's Leadership Conference; the Conference will take place on Friday September 23, 2011. The 2011 Conference and Gala Registration is $99; Gala-only tickets are $35. For more information on this or other programs please visit the AAMI website at www.blackiowa.org or call 319-862-2101 ext. 22. The AAMI is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and is located at 55 12th SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

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