2019 History Makers Gala Event Program

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History Makers Gala Thursday, October 3 | 5:30 PM The Hotel at Kirkwood Center

Congratulations to tonight’s

History Makers Gala 2019 honorees.

Bridget Saffold

Lori Ampey

Marie Christian

Dr. Raynard Kington Dr. Simon Estes Lifetime Achievement honoree

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Now Open at the African American Museum of Iowa

Dear Friends of the Museum:

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elcome to the Museum’s 2019 History Makers Gala!

On behalf of our staff and board of directors, thank you for joining us in celebrating five outstanding Iowa leaders who continue to make a notably positive impact in their communities. Tonight’s gala is the perfect occasion to celebrate them and to recognize their contributions.

The History Makers Gala also serves as a fundraiser in support of the work the Museum provides throughout the year to achieve its mission to “preserve, exhibit, and teach the African American heritage of Iowa.” Thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, staff, board, and all of you, we continue to exceed our goals. Your support makes a tremendous impact on our ability to provide culturally and socially relevant educational programs and exhibits to schools, tourists, visitors, and communities across the state.

As we look to the future, we hope you will always remember the important role you play in sustaining the African American Museum of Iowa as a valuable statewide resource far into the future. Thank you again, and enjoy the Gala!

Sincerely,

Dr. Vincent Reid

LaNisha Cassell

Dr. Vincent Reid Board President

LaNisha Cassell Executive Director

Board of Directors Anthony Betters, Jr. Jamarco Clark Maurice Davis Ruth Hairston Dr. Benny Hawkins Benjamin Hoover, Vice President Nancy Humbles LaShonda Kennedy Chris Lindell Candice Luter Judge Kevin McKeever Doris Montag, Treasurer Ramadhan Muzo Scott E. Olson Dr. Neil A. Patrick Dr. Vincent Reid, President Tonya B. Scott, Secretary

Please join us in offering a very special thank you for the support of the AAMI Board of Directors.

Since the last gala...

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rom September 2018 to August 2019, the AAMI’s temporary gallery was home to “Driven By Hope,” an exhibition that explored the history of African American migration to Iowa from the end of the Civil War to the Great Depression.

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he AAMI opened a new temporary exhibition on September 7, 2019. “Untangling the Roots” explores the cultural and historical roots of beauty ideals surrounding African American hair, from the historical effects of slavery and colonialism to modern issues or cultural appropriation and natural hairstyles in the workplace. The exhibit features stories and objects from Iowa beauty schools, salons, and hairstylists.

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ver 4,000 people visited our on-site exhibits, including hundreds of children on school field trips.

ith a quarter of the year left in 2019, our Education department has already provided over 5,000 hours of learning to over 3,000 people through tours and programs.

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ur annual Juneteenth celebration was held on June 14 and 15, with over 200 visitors enjoying a lecture, live music, food, activities, and celebration.

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ur traveling exhibits travel the country, helping us educate thousands each year. In 2018 they visited 13 Iowa communities Iowa and 4 additional states, reaching over 30,000 people.

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n May 21, we hosted a one-day traveling exhibition titled “Humanize My Hoodie,” that explores and attempts to destigmatize the image of African Americans in hoodies and what that symbolizes in our culture. The exhibit was followed by an adult ally training in August at Metro High School.

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e welcomed three new staff members. Jennifer Beall joined our team in November 2018 as Communications Associate.

Operations Coordinator Lisa Buckman and Patron Services Associate Harold Walehwa joined us this May.

5:30 PM

Cocktail Hour

AAMI Nikee Pop-Up Store

6:00 PM Welcome LaNisha Cassell

Executive Director African American Museum of Iowa

6:05 PM

Opening Remarks

Order of Events

Jemar Lee, Master of Ceremonies

Sophomore, Morningside Community College Alumnus, Prairie High School & Iowa Big

6:10 PM

Invocation

Pastor Keeyon Carter

Adult Ministry Leader Veritas Church, Cedar Rapids

6:15 PM

Dinner

6:45 PM

Heads or Tails Game

Ben Hoover, Anthony Betters, Jr., & Jamrco Clark AAMI Board of Directors

7:00 PM Presentation of 2019 History Makers

& Youth Mentees Lorinida Ampey (Mentee: Precious Kimbrough)

Marie Christian (Mentee: Laila Pledger) Dr. Raynard Kington (Mentee: Regina Logan) Bridget Saffold (Mentee: TaDaja Love) Dr. Simon Estes, Lifetime Acheivement Honoree

7:55 PM Closing Remarks Dr. Vincent Reid, President

Benjamin Hoover, Vice President AAMI Board of Directors

A History Maker is defined as an African American who fits at least three of the four categories below:

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railblazer: An African American who initiated a first or showed innovation in their field and was instrumental in developing or enhancing a process that positively impacted the lives of Iowans.

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hange Agent: An African American who has made an indelible mark on their community and who has changed the lives of people in their area forever.

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egacy Maker: An African American who has created a legacy or accomplished something that lives beyond them, or contributed to a legacy by passionately continuing an effort or participating in a movement.

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ole Model: An African American who is an outstanding role model and someone whose character and accomplishments all people, regardless of race, age, or gender, can admire and emulate.

Past History Makers

2018 Dr. E Dale Abel Dr. Venise Berry Shelby Humbles, Jr. Rudolph Simms 2017 Deborah L. Berry Leon Mosley Dr. Jerome Pierson Dale Todd 2016 George Boykin Kim Cheeks Melvina Scott 2015 Henry Davison William B. Hood, Jr. Flora Lee Rufus & Betty Johnson

2014 Betty Andrews Lois Eichacker Dr. Percy Harris James Randall 2013 Elaine Estes Dr. Angela Franklin Henri Harper LaSheila Yates Thomas Moore (Lifetime Achievement) 2012 Dr. Mary Chapman Sandra K. Bell Dr. Geraldine Felton 2011 Romonda D. Belcher Marian Coleman Nancy Humbles

2010 Freda Long Teree Caldwell-Johnson Bernice Jones 2009 Dr. Ida Johnson Lou Porter Dr. Paula Mahone 2008 Lyn Stinson Dr. Ruth White Francis Hawthorne Betty Furgerson 2007 Willie Stevenson Glanton Anna Mae Weems Catherine Gayle Williams LaMetta K. Wynn

2019 History Makers

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& Youth Mentees

orinda Ampey is the Director of Programming and Outreach at the Boys & Girls Club. She is living her dream working with youth and upholding the promise she made to herself after a very traumatic school experience.

Lorinda’s promise was that if she ever had the opportunity to work with youth, she would never treat them differently because of the color of their skin. Lorinda began her work with youth at the Jane Boyd Community House where she spent eight years learning how to plan and implement youth programming with the help of Suzy Beshears. After the loss of her daughter, Briahnna, Lori took a hiatus from youth work.

She started her career again at the Boys & Girls Club. Lorinda is a member of The Professional Association of Boys & Girls Clubs and is a lifelong learner. She has received many accolades for her work in the community including the Viola Davis “Yes I Can” Award, the NAACP Outstanding Community Service Award, the Iowa Association for Colored Women Award, and the Arc of East Central Iowa Precious Kimbrough Community Inclusion Award. Lori sees Involved with Cafe 361, the here greatest accolade is the success Young Mentors program, and of her mentees. She defines success, making survival bags for the homeless. not by what you have, but by who you have become.

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arie Christian has over twenty years of experience as an educator, career counselor, consultant, and prevention professional. Her positions have included serving as In-Touch Coordinator for the Rock Island County Council on Addictions and an Assessment Specialist for the Scott Community College Career Assistance Center.

She has served as Project Director for federally-funded substance abuse prevention grants, CSAP and as an instructor for local colleges in communication, diversity/ multicultural relations and other business subjects. She is also a Certified Surrogate Parent for Illinois Children. Marie is a recipient of several statewide Master Teacher Awards, as well as the American Association of University Women’s Scholarship. She has served on the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts and the Youth Service Bureau and is a member of several Laila Pledger community governing boards, the Davenport 7th grade student at Washington Junior High Schools Curriculum and Development School in Rock Island, IL..

Planning Board, and the NAACP 2nd V.P. and Educational Co-Chair.

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r. Raynard S. Kington has served as President of Grinnell College since 2010. Prior to Grinnell, he held multiple positions at the National Institutes of Health including Principal Deputy Director and Acting Director. Prior to NIH, he was a division director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a Senior Scientist at RAND. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, where he serves on the Governing Council. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education.

He attended the University of Michigan, where he received his B.S. with distinction and his M.D. He received his M.B.A. with distinction and his Ph.D. with a concentration in Health Policy and Economics from the Wharton School of Regina Logan the University of Pennsylvania. His research Passionate about promoting has focused on social determinants of civic participation, especially health and more recently on diversity in the in historically underrepresented scientific workforce. communities.

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ridget Saffold, is employed as a Registered Nurse in an internal medicine clinic that treats kidney and diabetic patients. She serves as the coordinator of the Cedar Valley and Cedar Rapids Focus on Diabetes, a grassroots diabetes initiative endorsed by the State of Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative. It partners with doctors and healthcare organizations to share research, treatment options and free screenings with diabetic patients, their families, and the community. Additionally, Bridget serves as the diabetes adviser for a 6.5 million-member, faith-based organization offering education and coordination support for their state, regional, and national conferences. In June, Bridget made history when she hosted a party for Presidential Candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren.

TaDaja Love That event marked the first time in history Freshman at Hawkeye that a high-profile presidential candidate Community College. Enjoys campaigned at someone’s home on the acting, dancing, & working east side of Waterloo. During this event, with animals.

Bridget shared her personal story and advocated for healthcare reform.

2019 Lifetime Acheivement Honoree

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orn in Centerville, Iowa, in 1932, Dr. Simon Estes’ first singing experience came at age eight when he performed with the choir in Centerville’s Second Baptist Church. From those humble roots, Dr. Estes would become one of his generation’s greatest bassbaritones.

After enrolling at the University of Iowa in the late 1950s as a pre-med and psychology major, Dr. Estes became the first African American member of the university’s Old Gold Singers.

His voice caught the attention of Iowa music faculty member Charles Kellis, Estes’ first and only vocal teacher. Dr. Estes won the Bronze Medal in Moscow’s Tchaikovsky competition in 1966 and it signaled the launch of his international career. He would go on to build a global reputation and win numerous awards and accolades while performing with 84 of the major international opera companies as well as 115 orchestras around the world. He also advocated for more opportunities in opera for AfricanAmerican performers. Even as Estes achieved stardom on stage, he helped others in Iowa and elsewhere through many philanthropic efforts. He has also inspired new generations as a teacher at music schools around the world including Wartburg College, Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and Des Moines Area Community College, all in Iowa.

History makers Thank you for showing us all how to use our Energy for Good. alliantenergy.com/foundation Š 2019 Alliant Energy 6397459 8/19 MJ

STAND AGAINST DISCRIMINATION! Everyone has the right to live a life free of discrimination, regardless of their race or skin color! Areas of protections include employment, housing, education, credit, and public accommodation!

To file a complaint with the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, contact us at (319) 286-5036 or civilrights@cedar-rapids.org.

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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!

Bronze Sponsors

Thomas & Lillie Moore Scott & Penny Olson

Other Contributors Rudolph and Veronica Simms, Award Sponsor The Chocolate Shop, Honoree Gift Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Honoree Gift Pearson, Game Sponsor Target Store #1768 (Blairsferry Road, CR)

The Gazette, Door Prizes Phelan’s Interiors, Door Prize World Class Graphics, Game Poster Ames Ford Lincoln

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