African American Museum of Iowa

05/30/2026

AAMI Juneteenth Festival | June 20 | 12-6 PM | 55 12th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA | blackiowa.org/juneteenth

05/29/2026

Be sure to purchase your copy of "Was That Racist? How to Detect, Interrupt, and Unlearn Bias in Everyday Life" by Evelyn R. Carter, Ph.D. Orders received by June 2 will be available for book signing at the AAMI's event.

Then join us on June 11 at 6:30 PM as Evelyn R. Carter, Ph.D. sits down with Rob Cline to discuss her book!

Purchase book and register for this free event: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/BECZGREVXG096/checkout/EYNOY763DTVG676HAC5HITFZ

Register for this free event: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/BECZGREVXG096/checkout/ZUY7LKEMH4PABNZ47FHYGDPC

05/27/2026

📢 Explore Iowa’s Black History Online: A powerful new digital collection is making Iowa’s Black history more accessible than ever. “Amplifying Black Voices in Iowa” brings together more than 5,000 digitized items including historic newspapers, oral histories, photographs, manuscripts, and artifacts dating back to the mid‑1800s. This collaborative effort connects collections from institutions across the state to tell a more complete story of Black experiences, achievements, and community impact in Iowa.
🔎 digitalcollections.lib.iastate.edu/abvi/
✨ This project was made possible through a grant funded by the Mellon Foundation, in partnership with:




library

This site contains thousands of digitized resources created by Black Iowans from the 19th through 21st centuries. Explore local newspapers, correspondence, oral histories, artifacts, photographs, programs, and other resources. Topics covered include everyday life, major events, World War I, social m...

05/26/2026

Today a team from the Public Art Incubator performed maintenance on "Trumpet." This public art piece inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is located on the Museum grounds, near the 12th Ave. bridge.

05/23/2026

Are you a local musician, dancer, or performer? Are you part of a dance troop, youth center, music group, or band? Sign up to participate in the talent show at the AAMI's annual Juneteenth Festival (Saturday, June 20, 10-4)! Catch the full slate of performers, vendors, and sponsors at blackiowa.org/juneteenth

https://forms.gle/i29gQgxbxMb6BizQ6

05/20/2026

Looking for a part-time job for the summer? The AAMI is hiring a Patron Services Associate to work our front-desk on Saturdays (10-4) during the summer. Learn more about this position at blackiowa.org/careers.

05/16/2026

This weather has us thinking about how it's just 5⃣ weeks until our Festival! We can't wait to see you there!

05/14/2026

Thank you to the volunteers from Rapids & Affiliates (Rapids Wholesale) for helping tidy the garden beds at the AAMI for the Way of East Central Iowa's ! Stop by to enjoy their hardwork and visit the Museum (Tuesday-Friday 12-4, and Saturdays 10-4)!

05/12/2026

The African American Museum of Iowa staff and board are excited to welcome Anne Harris Carter as new Executive Director! Anne brings a professional background spanning government, regulated industries and senior leadership in multibillion-dollar corporations, as well as a personal history of support for many community initiatives. Anne also previously partnered with the Museum and shared family history for the AAMI's 2021-2022 exhibit, 'Mapping Exclusion: Redlining in Iowa.'

Anne will begin her new role May 26. We invite you to join us in welcoming Anne to her new role through a welcome reception at the AAMI (55 12th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids) on Thursday, June 4 from 4-6 PM.

05/11/2026

We are deeply saddened to share the news of Marvin Steward's passing. Marvin was one of the six founding members and the first president of the African American Heritage Foundation. Through his vision, and dedication the African American Museum of Iowa has become a lasting source of education, culture, and community pride. Marvin Steward leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.

We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and admired him.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/marvin-steward-obituary?id=61440991&utm_source=copiedlink&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=obitshare