Des Moines – The Iowa African American Hall of Fame will induct six new members in August 2012. Founded in 1995 in Des Moines, the IAAHF recognizes the outstanding achievements of African Americans with respect to enhancing the quality of life for all Iowans. Since 2002, the IAAHF has been housed in the Black Cultural Center Inc., at Iowa State University. Fifty individuals have been inducted into the IAAHF since its inception. This year, the Iowa African American Hall of Fame recognizes the achievements of:
Michael Allen: The first and only African American wrestling official to officiate the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament, Allen began his 30-year career in the Waterloo public schools as an elementary classroom teacher and retired as assistant principal and athletic director. He has officiated at NCAA Division I, II, and III wrestling championships and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Harry D. Harper Sr. (posthumous): After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa and completing medical school at Howard University Medical College, Harper started his practice in a converted coal shed in Fort Madison in 1927. Eventually named chief of staff at Fort Madison’s Sacred Heart Hospital, Harper was appointed to the first board of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission in 1965.
Phillip Hubbard (posthumous): The first black administrator at any of Iowa's universities, Hubbard was appointed dean of academic affairs at the University of Iowa in 1966. Five years later, he was named vice president of student services, becoming the first African American vice president at a Big Ten university. He served in this position until his retirement in 1990.
Jacqueline Easley McGhee: McGhee, who currently works as director of community and diversity services for Mercy Medical Center, served as president of the arts and culture program “I’ll Make Me A World in Iowa” from 2004 to 2011. The first African American woman on the Des Moines school board, McGhee also was named the inaugural chair of the Central Iowa Workforce Investment Board.
Helen Miller: Miller, currently serving her fifth term in the Iowa House of Representatives, volunteers as executive director of Young At Art, a nonprofit organization promoting Iowa artists. The organization’s Artful Dodger Project exhibits and auctions artwork to benefit other community organizations. Miller also founded the Urban-Ag Academy, which informs urban and minority legislators on agricultural issues and encourages dialogue between rural and urban policy makers.
Arlene Morris: The first black female psychologist in Iowa, Morris earned her master’s in psychology from Drake University and practiced at Broadlawns Medical Center for 30 years. Earlier in her career, as an employee at the University of Chicago, Morris worked with J. Ernest Wilkins on the Manhattan Project. The “Duchess Arlene,” a P-51D Mustang flown by Tuskegee Airman Lt. Robert Williams, was named for Morris.
Inductees will be recognized at a reception and banquet starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, at The Meadows Event and Conference Center in Altoona. Tickets are $50 per person. To reserve a seat, contact Rose Wilbanks at 515-294-1909. In addition to supporting the IAAHF, proceeds help support scholarships for developing youth leadership at Iowa colleges and universities. Proceeds will also help establish a permanent home for the Hall of Fame.