This presentation explores African Americans who invented or improved dozens of items we take for granted every day. Many of these men and women are little-known, and few are household names. Some had very little formal education or training, yet others were college-educated or earned doctorates. All made important contributions to our lives through perseverance, hard work, and ingenuity. The way we eat, grow our food, live, work, get from one place to another, and stay healthy have all been affected by these men and women. Their stories are more than a list of accomplishments, they’re a narrative of American innovation.

About the Series:

Join us at the Museum for 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.