2019 Program Series

Be a part of our mission to to preserve, exhibit, and teach the African American heritage of Iowa with these free monthly presentations by Sean Donaldson, Museum Educator. These one-hour presentations will focus on a variety of topics ranging from broad African American history and the evolution of African American music, to Iowa’s African Americans in sports and African American holiday traditions. With twelve opportunities to explore, you won’t be disappointed.

Upcoming Programs

Following the success of our 2018 jazz performances, this music series will return in 2019! We will host three performances by local musicians. Stay tuned as we list each performance here.

Last year, the AAMI rolled out its inaugural Children’s Summer Series, with regular programming aimed at teaching our youth about African American history through fun activities. This year’s summer program, History Adventures, will give children the same opportunity to have fun engaging with history. This free program will run every other Wednesday in June and July.

Please note that there will be no History Adventures event on June 19, as we will be partnering with Playtime Poppy and the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library during that week for a children’s theatre program.

Upcoming Programs

Humanities Iowa has generously funded another series of presentations from visiting historians, professors, and lecturers. This year’s series will be tied to our current exhibit, Driven By Hope, which focuses on African American migration following the Civil War. Presentations will take place February through July. Topics will focus on responses to migration, including music, fashion, food, social responses, legal responses, and even some discussion on current migration and immigration issues. Be sure to join us for these free, engaging, and thought-provoking presentations!

Upcoming Programs

We are excited to continue a new summer tradition of fitness programming at the Museum. Join us every week in August for a variety of fitness activities to get your blood pumping and your sweat flowing, all while having lots of fun! This year we are partnering with the YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area to bring you exciting opportunities to get active, all led by experienced instructors. Bring your comfy clothes, water bottles, and exercise mats for an evening of fun and fitness!

Upcoming Programs

Presented in partnership with the
YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area

Museums have, more recently, been challenged with lending a voice to issues of social justice (and injustice). The African American Museum of Iowa recognizes this charge and understands the Museum’s growing role in its responsibility to demonstrate history’s direct impact on our present societal culture and climate. By screening these important documentaries, we are opening the door to honest dialogue, discovery, reflection, and even resolution. Documentaries can offer authentic and untold stories that can serve to fill gaps, expose truth and give a deeper meaning. We hope you will join us at the Cedar Rapids Public Library for these real conversations.