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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: $

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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.

08/31/2026

Save the date and plan your visit! The AAMI's next exhibit, 'Right Where We Belong: Black Resilience, Culture, & Community, 1964-1999' opens to the public this Friday! Learn more at blackiowa.org/RWWB

08/28/2026

The AAMI is hiring a Museum Educator! Learn more about the position and how to apply at blackiowa.org/careers.

08/26/2026

Thank you to everyone who followed along as we announced our 2026 History Makers! Congratulations to State Senator Renee Hardman, Retired Major Lillie Miller, Orville & Billie Townsend, Hannah Stuelke and Daniel Umemezie. If you haven't yet, be sure to reserve your tickets for our History Makers Celebration (10/8) at blackiowa.org/hmc, and congratulate these awardees!

08/25/2026

Meet your 2026 History Maker Senator Renee Hardman!

Renee Hardman is a leader who has made a positive impact in the private, public and non-profit sectors. She recently made history as being elected as the first black female to the Iowa State Senate. After her first term, she was elected as an Assistant Leader of the Senate Democratic caucus. Hardman graduated from Drake University with a BA in psychology and later earned a Masters in Business Administration. She has held executive level roles in banking, health care and several non-profits. She has been inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame. Among many other accolades, she has been voted as one of Des Moines' top business leaders, received Women of Influence by the Business Record, President Obama and Biden's Community Service Award, NAACP Role Model Award, West Des Moines Chamber's Diversity award, just to mention a few. She has served as CEO of several non-profits and has served on close to twenty non-profit boards. In 1998 she was elected to the West Des Moines City Council - again being the first black women in this role, while also being Mayor Pro Tem throughout her tenure serving the City of West Des Moines. Hardman cares deeply about young people and the communty and is proud to have encouraged other women to successfully run for office. She is one of Iowa's trailblazers.

08/22/2026

We're taking a pause in our series to remind you to vote for the AAMI's next exhibits! Cast your vote to help us as we plan the next three exhibits to be featured in our temporary gallery from fall 2027 through summer 2030!

08/21/2026

Meet your 2026 Emerging Leader: Hannah Stuelke!

Hannah Stuelke, a Cedar Rapids native, attended Washington High School where she was awarded Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year and Miss Iowa Basketball. She then went on to play with the University of Iowa, where she also majored in English and Creative Writing. During her freshman season, Stuelke was named Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year. Throughout her time with the Univeristy of Iowa, Stuelke continued to amass awards for her playing including three All-Big Ten second-team honors and Iowa Athletic Department's Women's Athlete of the Year (2026). Stuelke totalled 1,565 points, 910 rebounds, 229 assists, 113 steals, and 49 blocks.

Stuelke will now be playing in Italy with Serie A1 side Logiman Broni.

Learn more and reserve your seat for our History Makers event on 10/8 at blackiowa.org/hmc!

08/20/2026

Meet your 2026 Emerging Leader: Daniel Umemezie!
Daniel is a Nigerian-American writer and student whose work explores identity and home. A multi-time National Gold Medalist in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, he has also been recognized by the Poetry Society of the United Kingdom as a Foyle Young Poet. He is also a 2026 Presidential Scholar in the Arts Nominee, and is a recipient of the Cedar Valley Faces of Excellence Award.

Beyond the literary world, Daniel’s work spans scientific research, civic leadership, and educational equity as an MIT THINK Scholar, Legislative Affairs Chair of the State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council and the founding chair of the Iowa Youth Poetry Council. Across disciplines, his work is rooted in his passion to help people feel seen, remembered, and connected.

Learn more about Daniel, the other History Makers, and how you can reserve your seat for the History Makers Celebration (10/8) at blackiowa.org/hmc!

08/19/2026

Meet your 2026 History Makers: Billie & Orville Townsend!

Billie Townsend worked for the University of Iowa for over 25 years in various departments, during which time she served on several Univeristy committees including, the Staff Diversity Committee, the African American Council, and the Advisory Board for Women in Science and Engineering. Billie also served as advisor to several student groups including Voices of Soul and Black Student Union (BSU) and was chair many years for the University’s January Convocation program celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She also served on the Iowa City Human Rights Commission.

Billie continues to serve her community through the Black Voices Project, the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Board of Directors for the Iowa Black Alumni Association (past -Chair) and more. The Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity 2024 Women Build in Iowa City was dedicated in her honor, and she received an Eight over 80 award from the University of Iowa Center for Advancement for 2026.

Orville Townsend worked at the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services for 42 years and as supervisor for 25 years. He has served on numerous committees and boards over the years including: the Iowa City Community School District, Life Skills Incorporated, the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Iowa Rehabilitation Association, the National Association for Mental Illness of Johnson County, Iowa City Human Rights Commission, and more.

Orville continues to serve his community through his work with the Iowa Black Alumni Association, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and the Black Voices Project. In 2023, Orville Received the Eight over 80 award from the University of Iowa Center for Advancement.

Learn more about Billie & Orville Townsend, the many organizations they have been involved with, the other History Makers, how to purchase your tickets, and more at blackiowa.org/hmc.

08/18/2026

Meet your 2026 History Maker, Retired Major Lillie Miller!

Lillie M. Miller is a native of Iowa who earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and her master’s degree, along with a Certification of Public Managers from Drake University. Sheis currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, and is now All But Dissertation (ABD).

Miller is a retired 27-year law enforcement veteran of the Des Moines (Iowa) Police Department. In 2009, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, becoming the first African American women in the department’s history to be elevated to a management position. She continued to break barriers with her promotion to Police Lieutenant in 2014 and to Police Captain in 2020, each time making historic milestones for Black women within the department and across the state of Iowa law enforcement. In May 2022, Miller was promoted to Police Major, becoming the first Black officer, female or male, in the history of the department, and the state of Iowa, to attain this level of executive leadership.

Miller has been a proud active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, has received numerous community awards, served on several boards, and been involved in many professional organizations. She enjoys spending time with her adult son, who resides in a sunny southern state and is a devote member of Corinthian Baptist Church of Des Moines, Iowa.

To read Lillie Miller's full biography, purchase your seats for the History Makers Celebration, or to learn more about the other honorees, visit blackiowa.org/hmc.

08/17/2026

Meet your History Makers! Throughout this week we will be announcing the 2026 History Makers. These awardees were nominated by friends, family and colleagues for their actions, modifying the course of history, imparting knowledge and impacting the communities in which we live. Through their existence and influence, history is forever changed.
As we highlight each of these winners, take a moment to register for the AAMI's annual History Makers Celebration! Join us to honor these award winners and support the AAMI's non-profit mission. Learn more at www.blackiowa.org/hmc.

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/

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