African American Museum of Iowa

09/06/2026

Reserve your seat for the AAMI's annual History Makers Celebration! Learn more and purchase your tickets or buy a table at blackiowa.org/hmc.

09/05/2026

Voting closes soon for our 2027-2030 exhibit topics! Cast your vote today to help us pick topics for our next exhibits!

https://forms.gle/j4ZRQKtAoK5p4nrQA

09/04/2026

Last week Johnson County recognized namesake Lulu Merle Johnson with the unveiling of a new statue in her honor. You can learn more about Johnson, her achievements and contributions in this AAMI video with Dr. Ashley Howard: https://youtu.be/Apr-AuuDZzQ?si=wajINSF6NGI7uHNu

Johnson County unveiled a statute outside of the Administration Building on South Dubuque Street on Aug. 29 to commemorate the county's new eponym. See link below ⬇️

📸

09/03/2026

Join at the AAMI this Saturday for a blood drive (9/5, 10-1). Donating blood is a critical way to help fight Sickle Cell Disease. Many patients rely on regular transfusions to manage pain, prevent complications, and improve their quality of life. Your donation could provide life-saving blood patients need to stay strong.

Preregister for this event or donate at an ImpactLife donor center and credit African American Museum of Iowa!

09/02/2026

Enjoy free admission to the AAMI this Saturday (9/5) from 10-4 PM! Be sure to explore our new exhibit, Right Where We Belong: Black Resilience, Community, & Culture, 1964-1999, which opens to the public this Friday.

Thank you to for sponsoring this event!

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!