AAMI 2026 History Makers Renee Hardman, Lillie Miller, Orville and Billie Townsend, Hannah Stuelke, and Daniel Umemezie
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA (September 17, 2026) — The African American Museum of Iowa will host its annual History Makers event on Thursday, October 8. Emceed by Jennifar Bassett, the event will highlight the achievements of honorees State Senator Renee Hardman (West Des Moines), Retired Major Lillie Miller (Des Moines), and Orville and Billie Townsend (Iowa City), as well as Emerging Leaders Hannah Stuelke (Iowa City) and Daniel Umemezie (Cedar Falls). History makers were nominated by their peers and selected by a Museum committee based on their professional and community leadership. They will be recognized during the History Makers Celebration at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Thursday, October 8, reception at 5PM with the program at 6PM).
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.
State Senator Renee Hardman made history in December 2025 when she won a special election to the Iowa Senate, becoming the first Black woman to serve in the Iowa Senate.
Likewise, Retired Major Lillie Miller is a trailblazer. In May 2022, Miller was promoted to Police Major, becoming the first Black officer, female or male, in the history of the state of Iowa to attain this level of executive leadership.
Orville and Billie Townsend, in addition to careers in public service and education (respectively), have served their communities on dozens of boards, commissions, and more.
Emerging leaders Hannah Stuelke and Daniel Umemezie are already making history. Hannah Stuelke racked up 1,565 points, 910 rebounds, 229 assists, 113 steals, and 49 blocks during her time playing for the University of Iowa. Stuelke will now be playing in Italy with Serie A1 side Logiman Broni.
Daniel Umemezie is the 2026 National Youth Poet Laureate and a multi-time National Gold Medalist in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, who has also been recognized by the Poetry Society of the United Kingdom as a Foyle Young Poet. He is a 2026 Presidential Scholar in the Arts Nominee, and is a recipient of the Cedar Valley Faces of Excellence Award.
All have made an indelible mark in their respective communities and across the state.
The Museum’s annual History Makers event 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 event can be secured online at blackiowa.org/hmc. This event is made possible by sponsors including presenting sponsors Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust and Enterprise Holdings. A full list of sponsors and more information about each of the honorees if available at blackiowa.org/hmc. 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.
