African American Museum of Iowa2011 Annual Report

The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) is guided by our:

Mission: To preserve, publicize, and educate the public on the African American heritage and culture of Iowa.

Vision: The Museum Vision, and the promise that its creation holds, embodies the idea of shaping the complexities of the role of “cultural crucible” - that is, to be recognized as Iowa’s leading statewide resource of education on African American history and the appreciation of the variety of contributions of the African American legacy to the cultural life of Iowa. Thus the Museum has accepted the duty and responsibility to be an environment, a place, and a situation in which the different elements interact to produce something new - the reconciliation of conceptual clarity and positive thinking.

During 2011, the AAMI reached 52,126 people through 307 programs.

2011 Board of Directors:Oather Taylor III, President (Cedar Rapids)

Gwendolyn Randall, Vice President(Cedar Rapids) Marty Brown, Treasurer (Cedar Rapids)

Miriam Tyson, Secretary (Waterloo)Betty Andrews (Des Moines), Judge Brown Jr. (Fort Dodge), Dr. Ray Brown

(Des Moines), Paul Danforth (Des Moines), Dr. Geraldene Felton (Iowa City), Bill Harriott (Council Bluffs), Karen Rhines (Cedar Rapids), Lyn Stinson (Burlington),

Inkyung Westfall (Council Bluffs) and Gregory Wolff (Iowa City)

55 12th Ave. SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401Phone: 319-862-2101

Fax: 319-862-2105www.blackiowa.org

Oather Taylor, III2011 Board President

Thomas MooreExecutive Director

2011 - A Year of Growth

The best way to describe 2011 is with the word “growth.” The only thing about the AAMI that did not grow was the size of our building. Our relationships with schools and libraries greatly expanded as more institutions became aware of our programming and resources. Our education department added more content and relevance to our traveling trunks, workshops, public programs, and tours. The statewide demand for our programs far exceeded the 2010 level, which was also a record year. Thanks to Michelle Poe, Director of Education, we reevaluated our offerings and restructured their delivery, produing a larger volume of more focused programs.

In 2011 our annually changing exhibit, “Unconditional Loyalty: The Military Service of African Americans”, was the highlight of the year. African Americans proudly served in the US military and fought a double battle for both freedom and civil rights. This exhibit gave us the opportunity to tell an important story which most Americans were not familiar with.

As demand for the AAMI’s programs continues to grow, so has the need for a larger staff to serve our many constituents. Grant Stevens, Development Assistant, was hired to assist Benjamin Hoover, Development Director, with fundraising, publicity, community involvement, and programming. Although 2011 revenue reflected recessionary conditions, the AAMI closed the year in good financial shape. We value all of our donors and recognize that without their continuous support, the AAMI would cease to operate.

In 2008 the AAMI’s entire collection of books was lost to the flood. Thanks to Professor James Randall’s (Cedar Rapids) large donation of books, along with several other donations, the Museum’s library now exceeds the pre-flood collection. We have become one of the largest public repositories of African and African American literature in Iowa.

Thanks to Harriette Cooper (Cedar Rapids) and several of our Board Members, the AAMI’s membership increased significantly in 2011. Our challenge for 2012 is to grow the membership even more. Membership in the museum is a great way to support us financially and is also a vote of confidence in the AAMI’s operations and mission.

The Board of Directors established secession and emergency plans; organizational by-laws and core values were reviewed and revised with an eye to the future. Overall the AAMI experienced a strong year in 2011 and is well positioned to go forward into the future. A special thanks goes to all of our volunteers, members, and supporters for making 2011 a memorable year!

Betty AndrewsKimberly Abram–BryantCody BeckmanSam BeezyCeleste BembryNicholas BenzKathryn BergstromDenise BridgesDebbie BrooksJames BrooksMarty BrownAnthony BryantJR ByersCarol Cater-SimmonsDr. Mary ChapmanDr. Hal ChasePaulette ClarkWhitney CoffeyJim CollinsRachel CollinsHarriette CooperLouise CraddockNeisha CroffittKatrina DavenportHenry DavisonSandra DavidsonDedric DoolinLaSharon DuckettDr. Claibourne DungyDr. Madgetta DungyJaleesa EppsEastern Star Auxiliary (Cedar Rapids)Keisha FieldsLinnea FletcherTerry FullerBernard GillPearl GillJenna GuiterAngelica HallRenee HardmanLenora HarrisMichelle HendersonDiana Henry

Joe HenryHelena HerbstMarvin HillsmanMarta HollidayNancy HumblesRobin JenkinsDr. Ida JohnsonLynn JohnsonBernice JonesJuneteenth Fashion Show ModelsChris LawlerKenneth LongdonJesse MartinezShirley McLemoreBettina McWilliamsRebecca MioneJulie MitchellLarry MonteiroJeanette Moore-LogginsKenneth MorrisRobert MorrisEara NimmersMartin NordHoa HguyenClaire NosekPamela NosekBarbara OsgoodTroy PatrickPrince Hall Masons (Cedar Rapids)Danielle PotterDiane RamseyGwen RandallJames RandallHeather RobertsHeather RobyRichard RocarekSue RocarekRugi RuragiraLinda SandersSabryna ScheidtSami SchmittRita Sidhu

Chad SimmonsZachary SmejkalBrian SmithKacy SmithMartin SmithPhoebe SmithClaire SolakLyn StinsonDr. Brie Swenson Arnold and Coe College StudentsBev TaylorQulishia TaylorDr. Jacqueline ThompsonSlayton ThompsonPrentiss ThurmondConnie Jo ToyneMiriam TysonMargaret WilliamsSherrie WilliamsTrish WilliamsFelicite WolfeMeinard WrightLori YoungPatricia YoungYique ZhangLei Zhao

2011 AAMI Volunteers

Our mission would not be possible without

the amazing support we have from our

volunteers each year. Thank you and our

apologies to anyone we may have missed!

Assets: $2,354,615 Liabilities: $28,863 Net Assets: $2,325,752

AAMI Financial Position (as of Dec. 2011)

During 2011, the AAMI developed several

partnerships with school systems across the state. In the Davenport School District, the AAMI now

does three annual Learning Safaris for

all preschool students (225+). When the Cedar

Rapids School District adopted

new Social Studies curriculum, the AAMI attended

teacher training and now most 3rd grade

students visit the AAMI.

School System

Partnerships

Journey to

Freedom

“Journey to Freedom” is the AAMI’s award-winning annual collaboration with Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center, part of the Linn County Parks System. “Journey to Freedom” is an immersive,

interactive event where students and the general public experience what it was like to travel Iowa’s Underground Railroad.

Directors Circle: $5,000+

Cedar Rapids, IAAlliant Energy CorporationCity of Cedar Rapids Hotel/Motel Tax GrantGeneral MillsGreater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation (GCRCF)Ken & Ortha Harstad FundNorman Erickson FamilyQuaker OatsRockwell CollinsTransamerica Life Insurance CompanyUnited Fire Group

Des Moines, IAState Historical Society of Iowa: HRDP

Iowa City, IAHumanities Iowa

Moline, ILJohn Deere & Co.

Mount Vernon, IAMcIntyre Foundation

Muscatine, IARoy J. Carver Charitable Trust

Washington, D.C.Institute of Museum & Library Services

Museum Partners: $1,000-$4,999

Cedar Rapids, IACommunity Corrections Improvement Assn. Drs. Robert Nicholson & Mary TarboxGuaranty Bank & TrustLinn County Board of Supervisors Witwer Trust Linn County Historic Preservation CommissionMediacom Communications CorporationMercy Cedar RapidsOather & Mirela Taylor III

Cincinnati, OHThe P & G Fund

Des Moines, IABankers TrustIA Department of Cultural Affairs: Iowa Arts CouncilMidAmerican Energy FoundationNationwide Mutual Insurance CompanyPrincipal Financial GroupIowa Economic Development AuthorityUS Bank Wellmark BlueCross BlueShieldWells Fargo Foundation

Hiawatha, IAThomas & Lillie Moore

Iowa City, IAUniversity of IowaDr. Geraldene FeltonU of I Health CareUniversity of Iowa Community Credit Union

Marion, IA Maxwell Grant: OHE IndustriesRalph SpringTom and Nancy RileyWayne & Shirley Engle

Midland, MIJames & Anita Jenkins

Omaha, NESisters of Mercy West Midwest Community

Pittsburgh, PAJames Graham & Susan Kuecker

Princeton, NJPepsiCo Foundation

Museum Patrons: $500 - $999

Cedar Rapids, IAGazette Foundation Donor Advised Fund of the GCRCFGleason ElectricHills Bank & TrustKaplan UniversityLinn Area Credit UnionVan Meter Industrial Donor Advised Fund of the GCRCFVeridian Credit Union

Council Bluffs, IABill Harriott

Des Moines, IAAARPIA Department of Cultural AffairsFriends of IA Civil Rights

Muscatine, IARichard & Mary Jo Stanley

Rock Island, ILRoyal Neighbors of America

Waukee, IAThomas & Carline Phillips

Waukesha, WIUS Cellular

Museum Contributors: $100-$499

Aberdeen, MDJames Hamilton

Ames, IAG.E. Klonglan

Anamosa, IARuth Carlson

Burlington, IAJacquelyn Tolson

Carroll, IADavid Martin

Carson, CAKeith & Dr. Martha Brown

Cedar Falls, IARuth Schild

Cedar Rapids, IAAaron & Wynetta GreenAlzheimer's AssociationBart & Jennifer WoodsBecky & Clay LindwallBrad & Lynda DirksCedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors BureauClipper Windpower Inc.Collins Community Credit UnionCynthia & John JohnsonDale & Louise Morgan

2011 AAMI Donors

During 2012, the AAMI developed

two new traveling exhibits. “The Underground

Railroad in Iowa,” is 3 panels and is

shown with summer intern Claire Solak of Cornell College (Mt. Vernon, IA)

who helped write the text and select

content.

“Unconditional Loyalty: The Military Service of African Americans” was the AAMI’s 2011 temporary exhibit. In addition to

the exhibit displayed at the AAMI, a 5-panel traveling exhibit was created to add to the traveling exhibit collection, and the AAMI

coordinated a statewide summer adult lecture series and programs for children and families in venues across the state.

Traveling Exhibits

Drs. Mary Kemen & Brian RandallDwayne DanielsEmmett & Mary Ann ScherrmanErb's Business SolutionsFirst Presbyterian ChurchFleck SalesFrank A. VarvarisGE Capital Inclusion and Diversity GroupHarding Middle School Student CouncilHenry DavisonJack & Dilla CosgroveJames & Gwendolyn RandallJan & Sally HornbeckJim & Jean WhiteKaren RhinesKathleen HalloranKenneth Penn Leni StastnyLileah F. HarrisLloyd E. SmithMike & Barb KlappholzPearlie GriggsPeter & Joan RileyQuinn Arnold & Brie Swenson ArnoldRay & Jacqueline WilsonRenee SneitzerRichard & Linda SandersDr. Ruth WhiteScott & Janice ByersScott & Penny OlsonShirley & Don NebergallSkogman CompaniesSpielman's Event ServicesSt. Paul's United Methodist ChurchTerry & Linda HellerThea Lavon LeslieTom & Margaret SearsTom & Nancy LacknerVeridian Credit Union StaffVirginia RystromWilliam & Winifred Shuttleworth

Chicago, ILGeorge R. Pope

Clinton, IALaMetta Wynn

Coralville, IADr. & Mrs. Benny HawkinsVanessa Shelton

Council Bluffs, IADavid A. HarrisGeorge K. KleineInkyung Westfall

Decorah, IACorrine & Harland Nelson

Des Moines, IADr. Mary ChapmanDr. Hal & Avril ChaseSen. Jack HatchLinda M. Carter-LewisLu SpaineHon. Judge Romonda D. Belcher

Dubuque, IA Melvin & Ernestine MossSisters of St. Francis

Ely, IALes & Katrina Garner

Evansville, INReginald & Gloria Gibson

Fairfax, IABill & Verna Boland

Fort Madison, IALinda MarshallMarceine Hyche

Fort Dodge, IANick Johnson

Hiawatha, IAHonkamp Krueger & Co., P.C.

Iowa City, IAACT, Inc.Drs. Claibourne & Madgetta DungyDr. Georgina DodgeGregory & Benita WolffJames & Mary McCueJim & Chris WaltersKevin Kummer & Maria Ortega KummerLindsay JarrattLyell HenryMartin Diaz Law FirmPearsonPhilip & Barbara PetersonPhillip & Jo Lavera Jones

Marion, IA James Dyer

John Dowdall & Jan BolandMarilyn SippyPat KappesVoanne Hansen

Marshalltown, IA Gayle & Lois Strickler

Mt. Pleasant, IAJerard Naylor

Muscatine, IA Susan Moore

Ottumwa, IAByron & Geri Winston

Perry, IARev. David Polich

Phoenix, AZDelores Gibson

Waterloo, IAMiriam Tyson

West Des Moines, IAPaul Farris

Windsor Heights, IASteve Stenstrom & Donna Mueller

Museum Supporters: $1-$99

Amana, IA Joyce Fels

Ames, IA David GradwohlMartha Miles

Ankeny, IAGalin & Carol Berrier

Armonk, NYIBM: Matching Gift Program

Belleview, NEGarnett Shoffner

Burlington, IADeborah McLainLyn Stinson

Cedar Falls, IA Bruce RogersStephanie Wright

Cedar Rapids, IAAlice SmithAmal AbdelrahmanAmy & Tim BoyleAnthony ArringtonArchie & Dianne EllisonArt PenningtonArthur & Harriette CooperBarbara WeeksBetty Jean FurgersonBill & Lu BarronBob & Susan MoranBruce & Gwen HallCarl & Topsy AschoffCarlous RichardCarole BernardCharles & Mary BrolinCharles & Rhonda GreenCharlotte A. VaughanDan & Gail HusmannDavid & Donna BensonDavid & Joanne LodgeDavid & Mary RaterDonna ButikoferDoris HamiltonDorothy RamseyEdwin HemphillEugene JahnckeEvelyn M. AndrewsFern FacklerFred & Janet PilcherGenevieve GattoGeorge & Marilyn RousharGeorgene StapeltonGrover & Dorris BellHarlan & Kay GarberJ.P. & Phyllis BesongJamie & Yvonne JonasJane GilmorJanet EvansJanet Moore-EckerJason & Jennifer EdwardsJay ShuldinerJean ImoehlJoan ThalerJoann HowardJohn & Diane RiccoloJohn SchmidtJonathan & Karla IceJosh Holland & Dawn Svenson HollandJoyce J. BryantJudith K. DanielsJulie Mitchell Karen & John BrandtKarl CassellKarl WernerKate Hawkins

Kathy HallKeith & Cheryl KrewerBill & Kathy KilbournLaShelia YatesLee Ola H. AndersLeon & Vera MehringLinda & Howard PetersonLinda TopinkaLouise RoalsonMarian ArensMartin & Janet TomkinsMary Lawrence BiasMeinard WrightMillhiser Smith FoundationMrs. David PickfordMrs. Warren H. Erbe (Dorothy Joan)Jerry & NancyLee ZieseNedra JuengerNita BrownPhoebe D. SmithRachel CollinsRalph & Delores BecickaRichard & Jeanne SentmanRichard & Mary DoyleRick WilliamsRob HoggRobert & Juanita DennertRobert SperryRobert & Joan KocherRon & Pat GonderRugi RuragiraRuth EhrhardtSally HedgesSam’s Club Sher Jasperse & Daryl JulichSpiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Cedar RapidsStephanie KarrSteven Meehleder & M.L. Folkedahl-MeehlederTekeste GebrekidanTerry & Marlyse StraitWallace CooperWalter & Evalyn MollmanWilbert & Inez JonesWilliam & Gwen Hood Jr.William JamisonWilma Shadle

Center Point, IA Connie J. RobinsonJon & Sue NovakKatherine Lavelle

Chicago, ILLois Eichacker

Council Bluffs, IAJim BurtonShelley BishopTamra MadsenUnited Credit Union

Davenport, IABernice JonesBlaine & Khara WashingtonEvangeline LewisDr. Ida JohnsonJim & Karen CollinsKaren & Laura CornishLinda CunninghamRev. Marvin MottetMichael & Hedy Hustedde

Decorah, IAArlin BranhagenSheila Radford-Hill

Des Moines, IAFloyd & Donna JonesGeraldine DanielsJanice E. WellsKing Irving Neighborhood AssociationKoch BrothersLynda Walker-WebsterThomas & Vera Spencer

Essex, IAJan Frank-De Ois

Fairfax, IAAndrew & Jasmine Al-MoayedSam & Linda Black

Fort Dodge, IAJane G. BurlesonRichard BailieHelen MillerRoger Natte

Fort Wayne, INAllen County Public Library

Glenwood, IAJohn & Valerie Ware

Goldfield, IAWillis & Hope Kuecker

Gregory, SDJerry Wilske

Grinnell, IAJohn Clayton

Hampton, GADr. Eugene & Charlotte Dryer

Hiawatha, IABelinda OwensPatrick & Courtney St. John

Independence, IAJames & Shirley Rozendaal

Indianola, IAArt & Wanda Johnson

Iowa City, IAAdrien WingArchie GreeneCarol ScherrmanJoan TuckerJoan Ziffring-Zug BourretJoseph & Diana HenryLisa & Alberto SegreMarcella DavidRichard & Jean Lloyd-JonesRobert & Elizabeth EngelStefanie BowersTeresa McAndrewsTom Gilsenan

Keokuk, IAFrederick Seay Jr.

Lisbon, IAJudy Vopava & Roger Johanson

Macomb, ILCurtis Smith

Madison, WITerrance & Rose Mary Jackson

Marion, IACarol PrestonDwayne Augspurger

First Light Christian FellowshipLarry J. NepplLeonard M. GrabauMarian FlinkMarlyn L. OeltjenNina BappePatti Ann MarolfTerry & Kay Crist

Mason City, IAWillis & Ruby Haddix

McDonald, PAC. Barnes Rowland

Mechanicsville, IAEverett & Dorothy Russell

Milwaukee, WIJanice & William Welburn

Moline, ILAKA Sorority - Xi Eta Omega ChapterArthur PitzDave Markward Family

Mount Pleasant, IADonald E. YoungEdward & Susan KropaJames & Quetta McCane

Mount Vernon, IAChristine & Theodore LawlerMichelle Mouton

Nashville, TNGisele Warner

Oceanside, CAThomas Holton

Omaha, NEEdgar HicksLaura KochPeg Harriott

Oskaloosa, IAAllen Anderson

Ottumwa, IAJacqueline Thompson

Princeton, IAPrudential Foundation: Matching Gift

Rock Island, ILBerlinda Tyler-Jamison

Sioux City, IAMargaret & Robert WalkerRichard E. Hayes

Urbandale, PAJerry WeinerJohn & Jean Schneiders

Van Horne, IAKaren Schlue

Washington, DCWarren Nash

Waterloo, IACeleste Bembry

Waukee, IAThomas & Karen Banse

Winfield, IAJ&G Olson Farms, Inc.

Woodward, IAJ.E. Kaiser

The AAMI Staff Front Row: Lynn Koos - Curator, Grant Stevens - Development Assistant and

Katherine G.F. Smith - Administrative Coordinator. Second

Row: Thomas Moore - Executive Director, Michelle Poe - Director of

Education, Dan O’Connell - Facilities Technician, Tenika Johnson - Assistant

Educator, and Benjamin Hoover - Development Director.

55 12th Ave. SECedar Rapids, IA 52401

www.blackiowa.org

AAMI Special Events

History Makers Gala An annual event honoring

African American Female Leaders

September 27, 2012

The Annual Iowa African American Women’s

Leadership Conference September 28, 2012

Journey to Freedom An interactive living-history event

held at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center

September 22, 2012