What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 12pm - 4pm Wednesday 12pm - 4pm Thursday 12pm - 4pm Friday 12pm - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

African American Museum of Iowa

Name: African American Museum of Iowa
Address: 55 12th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52401, US
Telephone: (319) 862-2101
Price range: $
Rating: 4.6

Home
United States
Cedar Rapids, IA
African American Museum of Iowa

Preserving our past to enlighten our future. Educating the public on the African American heritage of Iowa.

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 museum tours, traveling exhibits, research services, youth and adult education programs, and community and fundraising events.

01/21/2025

The AAMI will be closed today (1/21/25) due to the extreme cold. Hope you all are staying warm!

01/20/2025

We're having a great time celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - we're open today until 4 PM with $1 admission, family friendly activities, and a children's book exchange.

01/18/2025

Join us for a children's book exchange as part of our programming, where families can share and swap their favorite books during our Dr. King Celebration on Monday. We believe in the power of stories to reflect diverse experiences and cultures. In addition to donating books, we kindly ask for culturally responsive books that represent a wide range of backgrounds, traditions, and perspectives. Let’s fill the shelves in our community with stories that celebrate ALL children! Please bring any gently used books that honor diverse voices and experiences.

01/17/2025

Join us this Saturday at 4 PM for Not a Monolith: Anime & Cosplay! In this new monthly series we're highlighting different, and often underrepresented parts of Black culture - emphasizing that the Black experience is not a monolith. For this first program we're very excited to be joined by Basi Affia of .

Basi Affia is an author and the founder/owner of Sensiil Studios in Des Moines: "Did you know that about 1/3 of Anime's fanbase is the Pan African community? Yet only 5% of the characters reflect that. As Iowa & Nebraska's first black comic book publisher, Sensiil Studios aspires to bring authentic representation to the science fiction and fantasy genres. In many stories the "diversity" seen is fictional races that dramatize stereotypes and represent minorities in a distasteful manner. When we do get actual black people in movies or stories it's in slavery, segregation or prison.
For too long has our trauma been monetized. Sensiil Studios is a space where Pan African people can see themselves in the future, and see that they have a future, by producing stories with black lead characters. We fight today for a better tomorrow. We write to bring the better tomorrow to today."

01/15/2025

We'll see you all this Saturday for Not a Monolith: Anime and Cosplay! Hear from author and founder/owner of Sensiil Studios, Basi Affia!

01/14/2025

Save the date: one week from today is ! We invite you to celebrate the legacy
of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with us at AAMI. The Museum will be open from 10-4 with a special day of events focused on his commitment to justice, equality, and
community. Enjoy family-friendly activities and educational programs that highlight
themes of civil rights and social change. Learn more at blackiowa.org.

01/11/2025

01/07/2025

We are looking for facilitators/speakers to join us at the African American Museum of Iowa for our "Not a Monolith" program, a series of inspiring events celebrating the diverse experiences and contributions of Black individuals and communities. Through thought-provoking discussions, themed showcases, and interactive workshops, participants will explore the rich tapestry of Black history and culture, highlighting the interests that often go untold. This program aims to foster understanding, appreciation, and dialogue, emphasizing that Black identities and experiences are varied and multifaceted. Come be part of this important conversation and celebrate the vibrant diversity within the Black community! Save the date for the first of these programs - Saturday, January 18.

If you haven't yet, take a minute to share your interest in become a facilitator/speaker here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7y0GC0xfjz7gk3P5DuA4Vbpk46qrX1A_9ZqH9hlMnlYdrKw/viewform?usp=sf_link

01/06/2025

We had a great time yesterday at our program "The Life of an American Girl!" This month, we learned about Claudie growing up in Harlem, NY during the Harlem Renaissance. Our art collage project was inspired by Romare Bearden, who like Claudie grew up around the artists of the Harlem Renaissance. Bearden’s family also moved to the north as part of the Great Migration (just as Claudie’s parents had done).

If you're interested in playing, learning and creating with us, we hope you'll join us next month! This free program is offered for participants of all ages on the first Saturday of each month - we just ask that you register to help us know how many craft items to prepare. Learn more at blackiowa.org/events.

01/04/2025

Did you catch AAMI's Museum Educator Jacqueline Hunter on Everyday Iowa talking about our upcoming program, the Life of an American Girl? Learn more about the event and register for this free program at blackiowa.org/events.
https://www.kcrg.com/video/2025/01/03/everyday-iowa-african-american-museum-iowa/

The African American Museum of Iowa presents their American Girl doll event teaching people history through the dolls. Learn more by listening!

01/03/2025

Welcome to the new year! Join us Saturday for the AAMI's First Saturdays series. Each month we offer a series of programs on the first Saturday of the month. Join us 1/4 at 8:30 for Coffee Conversations, an informal discussion centered around topics in the AAMI's exhibit, Racist Things: Hateful Imagery in the American Home. From 10-4, enjoy $1 admission to the Museum as part of our $1 Days. And at 10:30, bring your family to The Life of an American Girl! This month we will be learning about Claudie, who represents the 1920s and the vibrant Harlem Renaissance.

Learn more about all of these programs at blackiowa.org/events.

12/31/2024

The AAMI will be closed tomorrow for New Year's Day. Wishing you all a happy new year!

We will reopen with our regular hours on Thursday (1/2). We hope you'll plan a visit soon or join us for our First Saturdays programming this Saturday. Learn more at blackiowa.org/events!

12/29/2024

Thank you to everyone who joined W.I.N. and the AAMI for our celebration of Kwanzaa yesterday. Wishing you a joyous Kwanzaa as you continue to celebrate.
https://www.kcrg.com/video/2024/12/29/african-american-museum-iowa-brings-back-kwanzaa-celebration/

12/26/2024

Merry Christmas from your friends at the AAMI! If you're looking for things to do with your family and friends, plan a visit to the AAMI or join us for a Kwanzaa Celebration this Saturday (12-3). Learn more at blackiowa.org.

12/21/2024

Check out the AAMI's newly renovated building in gingerbread form at NewBo City Market! Vote for your favorite now through the New Year.

Address

55 12th Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, IA
52401

Opening Hours

Tuesday	12pm - 4pm
Wednesday	12pm - 4pm
Thursday	12pm - 4pm
Friday	12pm - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

(319) 862-2101

Website

http://www.blackiowa.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when African American Museum of Iowa posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to African American Museum of Iowa:

Videos

Explore 30 years of AAMI history in our newest exhibit open through 8.24.24

Let's get back at it! See you next week for the AAMI's #Juneteenth Commemoration! Join us Saturday, June 15 from 11-6 PM at NewBo City Market!

Thanks for following along with us as we explored the seven principles of the #NguzoSaba and celebrated #Kwanzaa! Today is the seventh and final day of the celebration of Kwanzaa. The principle of #Imani, which means faith, is celebrated on January 1st.

On the sixth day of #Kwanzaa, the principle of #Kuumba meaning creativity is celebrated!

Today is the fifth day of the celebration of #Kwanzaa, celebrating the principle of #Nia, meaning purpose. Follow along for the final days of our Kwanzaa celebration!

#Ujamma is celebrated on day 4 of #Kwanzaa, meaning cooperative economics. Join us as we continue our exploration of the seven principles of the Nguzo Saba. #blackiowa

On the third day of #Kwanzaa, the principle of #Ujima is celebrated, which means collective work and responsibility! Follow along as we explore the 7 principles of the Nguzo Saba and celebrate the vibrant and joyous holiday of Kwanzaa, and share your Kwanzaa stories with us.

Today is the second day of #Kwanzaa and today we recognize the Nguzo Saba principle: Kujichagulia or self-determination. Join the #AAMI each day this week as we explore the 7 principles of the Nguzo Saba and celebrate Kwanzaa! #blackiowa

Celebrate the first day of Kwanzaa with the #AAMI! #Umoja, which means unity is celebrated on December 26. Join us each day this week as we explore the 7 principles of the Nguzo Saba and celebrate the vibrant and joyous holiday of #Kwanzaa. #blackiowa

Join the AAMI this week on social media for our annual celebration of Kwanzaa. Created in 1966 by Dr. Malauna Karenga, Kwanzaa creates a space of cultural awareness that pays homage to ancestors of African Americans from various parts of the African continent. It is a uniquely American tradition that is not rooted in religion or any specific African cultural group and that is not celebrated by all African Americans. The Kinara candle holder represents the roots of African ancestry. Each day, a candle is lit with the green representing the land of Africa and hope for the future, the black, the color of the African race, and the red, the blood shed by African ancestors and their struggle. #KWANZAA

Shortcuts

Our Story

Our History

The African American Museum of Iowa was founded by a small group of members of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids in 1993. The church provided meeting space and money to launch the organization.

The current facility was built in 2003. During the flood of 2008, we took on 5.5 feet of water and closed for several months to repair and rebuild. The museum reopened in in 2009 with our current permanent exhibit, Endless Possibilities.