CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA (August 16, 2022) — The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) will host its annual History Makers Gala on Thursday, September 29, 2022. The event will highlight the achievements of honorees Sean Baylor (Cedar Rapids), Diana Henry (Iowa City), Pastor Chassidi Martin (Waterloo), Fred Seay (Keokuk), and Ross Wilburn (Ames). History Makers were nominated by their peers and selected by a Museum committee based on their professional and community impact as leaders. They will be recognized during the Gala (Thursday, September 29) at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
A History Maker is an individual who, by their actions, modifies the course of history, imparting knowledge and impacting the communities in which we live. Through their existence and influence, history is forever changed. Sean Baylor is an educator, currently Associate Principal at Franklin Middle School, using his position to intentionally serve as a positive role model for African American students. Diana Henry is an award-winning educator who, in retirement, continues to serve on a variety of committees. Pastor Chassidi Martin is a co-founder of the Royal Legacy Christian Academy and Legacy Littles Christian Early Learning Center. Fred Seay, until his recent retirement, served as the Drug and Mental Health Counselor for the state, and is the founder of Mountaintop Seminars, a non-profit which aims to educate the public about black history. Ross Wilburn is a member of the Iowa General Assembly as the representative for House District 46 (Ames, Iowa) and is the current Chairperson of the Iowa Democratic Party. All have made an indelible mark in their respective communities and across the state.
The Museum’s annual Gala brings in hundreds of statewide leaders and community members to celebrate not only the History Makers, but the continued strides of the African American Museum of Iowa to carry out its mission to preserve, exhibit, and teach the African American heritage of Iowa. Funds raised at the event support the AAMI. Reservations for the Gala can be secured online at blackiowa.org/gala. This event is made possible by sponsors including presenting sponsor GreenState Credit Union. Contact the Museum for additional information (319-862-2101).
About AAMI: The African American Museum of Iowa is a statewide museum dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and teaching Iowa’s African American history. As Iowa’s leading educational resource on the topic, we educate more than 30,000 people each year through in-person and virtual museum tours, traveling exhibits, research services, youth- and adult-education programs, and community and fundraising events.
