What a Great 2011!
A huge Thank You to all of you for making 2011 a really outstanding year for the Museum. Thousands of people experienced African American history and culture via our exhibits, programs, workshops, this website, and the many tours. Over 20 communities throughout Iowa welcomed us for programming. Many educators used us for the first time to enhance their class lessons.
The very successful Military Exhibit has been taken out of the Changing Exhibit Gallery to make room for the new exhibit”The Only One”. This unique exhibit is scheduled to open Saturday January 14, 2012. Admission is free that day. The staff looks forward to serving you to make your 2012 a fun filled learning experience.
Did You Know
To all of you who have a dream or an idea for something bigger than yourselves, I say go for it. Do not let people’s opinion of you define who you are and who you become. The idea for a museum that has now become the African American Museum of Iowa started 18 years ago as a dream of mine. I was neither a historian nor a museum professional, so there were plenty of nay-sayers that dismissed my dream as impossible. There were only a handful of friends, at the beginning, who bought into the idea and worked tirelessly for years to establish a small organization that grew slowly and sometimes regressed. God honored our faith and determination with a wonderful facility, unique programming, professional exhibits, a dedicated staff, and a distinguished Board of Directors from communities throughout Iowa. I encourage you to step out of your “expected role” and follow your inner drive. Don’t be surprised at finding that passion that consumes you and let’s you discover new things about yourself. It’s both fun and rewarding. Hopefully what you do is to benefit others.
Special Thanks
Thanks to all of the many people who supported and volunteered at our annual banquet on April 30. Your support will go a long ways in making possible our educational programs. Hazel Pegues, the keynote speaker, encougaged the audience to embrace change and educational opportunites that open doors which expand our world of experiences. She related her limited childhood exposure that her parents were able to provide due to their lack means, which was limited by their lack of education. College education provided responsible and lucrative employment that has led to travel and exposure to art, worldwide cultures, and expanded her realm of possibilities. There were 20 young students present to hear her message of encouragement. Thanks Hazel. Marylee Camp, a great soloist, graced us with two spiritual selections. Wow what a voice!
Celebrating African American Heritage
On Saturday April 30, 2011 at the Clarion Hotel in Cedar Rapids, the museum will hold its annual banquet. The featured speaker is Hazel Pegues of Diversity Focus and Mary Lee Camp will sing selections. There are seats available so contact Katherine Smith at 862-2101 ext. 16. This fundraiser is a boost to our educational programs See you there.
Disaster Recovery
On March 7, 2011 Elizabeth Eide of the National Academies, Washington DC and a special team of professionals visited our museum. This group has been traveling nationwide to communities that are recovering from various disasters. They are tasked with site visits and interviews to note how the disaster was prepared for and handled, as well as recovery efforts and the effects on the community. Our museum and the National Czech and Slovak Museum was selected in addition to the City for interviews related to the 2008 floods. Our Museum recovered our building in six months and reopened to the public in December 2008. It was felt that this short recovery period was noteworthy to share with other communities as part of the team’s report. An emergency plan that was well communicated to the staff, was key to saving our collection of artifacts and documents. Assembling a team of professionals to prep and implement the plan accounted for the timeliness. Our learnings from the recovery have allowed the staff to position the museum for a secure existance beside the Cedar River.
Museum Recognized for Statewide Impact
On Thursday February 24th the African American Museum of Iowa will be recognized at the State Capital, Des Moines with a Community Influence Award. Isaiah McGhee, Director of Iowa Dept of Human Rights, will present the award as part of the Black History Program that the African American legislators have sponsored. This is in recognition of the statewide programs that bring communities together through enlightening experiences. The Black History program is conducted annually in the House Chamber of the State Capital. The Museum recognizes and thanks all of those who work with us to accomplish these programs.
Black History Month
Over forty years ago Carter Woodson began Black History Week to instill a sense of pride among African Americans and to inspire them to set and achieve lofty goals. He recognized that Black History was an overlooked component of American history. African American achievements benefit the American community at large. Each year the President of the United States proclaims February as the month to acknowledge Black History. Knowing more about each other helps us to better relate, which brings people together based on commonalities. Our museum works at this year round but welcomes the opportunity in February to have a more pronounced emphasis. Over 90 percent of our visitors and audiences are not African American, which excites us to know of the general interest in the subject.
Signs of Progress Recognition
The Museum was recently recognized as an organization that showed a Sign of Progress in Cedar Rapids in their recovery from the 2008 flood. We were awarded a beautiful sculpture and were presented to a large contingent of the city as an inspiration to others in their effort to recover.
Kudos to the staff and Board in bringing the museum back so quickly.
