AMES, Iowa — A variety of events are planned to celebrate Black History Month throughout February at Iowa State University and in Ames.
The United States has celebrated Black History Month in February for more than four decades as a time to recognize and honor the achievements and contributions of Black Americans.
Events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise indicated. Event sponsors are listed in parentheses. Check back often as this schedule is updated throughout the month.
Schedule of events
Throughout February, online: Parks Library will feature an online exhibit with a selection of books related to Black health and wellness, a selection of noteworthy books by Black authors published in 2021, a resource page to supplement Yusef Salaam's Jan. 27 lecture at Iowa State, and a selection of books and films honoring the life and work of bell hooks. This online exhibit is accompanied by a book exhibit in the Parks Library lobby and Fireplace Room that will be on display through the month. (University Library)
Feb. 1, 5:30 p.m., Bessey 2226: Welcome to Black History Month movie night. “Eyes on the Prize” is a 1987 documentary series about the Civil Rights Movement. (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Multicultural Student Success Office)
February, 1-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Ames History Museum: A new exhibit, “Black Trailblazers” explores the legacies of nine Black pioneers in Ames history – Jack Trice, George Washington Carver, Walter Madison, John and Nellie Shipp, Willa Juanita Ewing, James Herman Banning, and Archie and Nancy Martin. Step inside a replica of Banning’s “Miss Ames” airplane, view crayon portraits of the Martins, and learn more about each of these remarkable individuals whose contributions reach far beyond Ames. (Ames History Museum)
Jak Knight
Feb. 3, 7, 15 and 23, 2-4 p.m., Multicultural Center Library: Community rest space. (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Multicultural Student Success Office)
Feb. 4, 8 p.m., Maintenance Shop: Comedy night with Jak Knight. (Student Union Board)
Feb. 5, 12 and 19, 10:30-11 a.m., Ames Public Library: Family storytime with books and readers that celebrate Black voices. Children of all ages and their grown-ups are invited to a socially distanced storytime to build listening, language and literacy skills. (Ames Public Library)
Feb. 9, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Carver 204: Black mental health panel. (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Multicultural Student Success Office)
Feb. 10-13, Carver 101: Cyclone Cinema screening of “King Richard” every night for four days, at 7 p.m. each night. (Student Union Board)
Feb. 12, 2-3 p.m., Ames Public Library: Performance by the ISU Stormettes dance group. The Stormettes Dance Line promotes team endurance and body positivity by performing a variety of different dance styles, often featuring the majorette, heels and hip-hop. This team, open to ISU students with varying levels of dance experiences, serves the Iowa State, Ames and Des Moines communities through performances and workshops. (Ames Public Library, Stormettes Dance Line)
Feb. 14-20, 2-9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Memorial Union Workspace: Drop in to paint your own pottery for Black Lives Matter Week, or take a kit to go. Twenty percent of the week’s pottery paintings will be donated to the Black Student Alliance.
Feb. 15, 6 p.m., Ames Public Library and Zoom: Launch of the “Sharing Our Own Stories: Ames' Black Voices” series. Conversation between Ames Human Relations Commission chair Jahmai Fisher and vice chair Wayne Clinton about the role of storytelling in the Black community, and how it relates to the new series that will highlight Black voices and their experiences in Ames. (Ames Public Library, Ames Human Relations Commission)
Feb. 15 and 21 (6-8 p.m.) and Feb. 28 (5-7 p.m.): A three-part trivia night will test your knowledge of Black history, with a different style of trivia each night. Feb. 15 trivia will be virtual, Feb. 21 trivia will be in the MU Oak Room and Feb. 28 trivia will be in the MU Gallery Room. (Multicultural Student Affairs)
Feb. 17, 5-6 p.m., Black Cultural Center (517 Welch Ave.): History of Black music. (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Multicultural Student Success Office)
Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m., Gateway Hotel & Convention Center: 22nd annual Freedom Fund Banquet. “Our Mission Continues…”, with keynote speaker Joshua V. Barr, founder and chief strategist for Raising the Barr. Tickets are $50. (Ames branch of the NAACP)
James Armstrong
Feb. 17, 8 p.m., Maintenance Shop: Concert with Chicago blues artist James Armstrong. Tickets are $12 ($8 with ISU student ID). (Student Union Board)
Feb. 21-25, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, College of Design Gallery 181: #InclusiveByDesign student art exhibit centering Black art and Black artists across the African diaspora. (College of Design Multicultural Student Success Office, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Multicultural Student Success Office)
Feb. 21-28, 2-9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Memorial Union Workspace: Drop-in craft: Ankara fabric jewelry. Ankara fabric (or African Wax Printing) is created through a wax-resist dyeing technique and is known for its vivid colors and bold patterns. Coer wood jewelry blanks with the Ankara pattern you choose to make a pair of custom earrings. Open to all ages if accompanied by an adult. Cost is $8 for one pair or $14 for two.
Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m., MU Great Hall: Lecture by motivational speaker Jessica Lundy, “Now That's Magic: How Black Women Have Shaped History Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.” (Sorority & Fraternity Engagement; Campus Life Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Committee on Lectures)
March 1, 7 p.m., MU Great Hall: The Reminders, a husband-wife hip-hop duo, will present "Hip Hop 101: The History of Hip Hop Culture and Its Impact on Our World," a combination presentation and performance that will guide attendees through the history of hip hop and its incredible influence in culture. (Ames Public Library, Arts Midwest, Ames Human Relations Commission, Iowa Arts Council, National Endowmen for the Arts, Committee on Lectures)
March 4-5, Ames City Auditorium: The Reminders will hold workshops with youth from Youth & Shelter Services, Boys and Girls Club, Ames Public Library Teen Group and Ames Middle School. The duo will conclude with a concert at 7 p.m. March 5 at Ames City Auditorium. (Iowa Arts Council, Arts Midwest, Ames Public Library, Ames Human Relations Commission, ISU Lectures Program, Ames Police Foundation)
March 4, all day, Online: Thomas L. Hill Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE), comprehensive forum on issues of race and ethnicity at Iowa State and beyond. Free, open to ISU students, faculty and staff. The March 2 pre-conference is open to ISU faculty and staff. Registration is required.