African American Museum of Iowa’s annual History Makers Gala set for Oct. 2

The African American Museum of Iowa has announced it will host its annual History Makers Gala on Thursday, Oct. 2. The event will highlight the achievements of honorees Dr. Michael Blackwell of Cedar Falls, Renee Dunn of Dubuque, Ricki King of Windsor Heights and Nolden Gentry of Des Moines.

History Makers were nominated by their peers and selected by an AAMI committee based on their professional and community impact as leaders. They will be recognized during the gala at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids.

A History Maker is an individual who, by their actions, modifies the course of history; imparting knowledge and impacting the communities in which we live. Through their existence and influence, history is forever changed.

Dr. Michael Blackwell spent his career serving as a spiritual leader, professor and author. Not only has he taught at multiple universities, been the pastorate at several churches and written multiple books, Dr. Blackwell has also been an active and engaged member of his community, serving with an astonishing number of local organizations.

Renee Dunn is the passionate founder and director of Turnt Kidz (TK), Dubuque’s first Black female-owned nonprofit majorette and hip-hop dance organization. Through culturally diverse and family-friendly performances, Dunn uses the art of hip-hop and majorette dance to engage the community, spotlighting the power of creative expression in youth development.

Ricki King is a noted genealogist. King worked with the City of Dubuque on its Black Heritage Survey, uncovering the history of Black people in Dubuque from 1830 to 1980, and more recently researched the history of the farmers of color in Fayette County.

Nolden Gentry is a retired lawyer and leader in the Des Moines community. Alongside his work at his firm, Brick Gentry, P.C., Gentry also served on many community boards, including as a member of the State Board of Public Instruction and the Des Moines Public School Board, the latter of which he was the first African American board member.

The museum’s annual gala brings in hundreds of statewide leaders and community members to celebrate not only the History Makers, but the continued strides of the African American Museum of Iowa to carry out its mission to preserve, exhibit and teach the African American heritage of Iowa.

“At this time when federal funds for nonprofits have been cut and DEI programs have been shuttered, we know the mission of the African American Museum of Iowa is more important than ever,” said AAMI Executive Director Jacqueline Hunter. “This gala is a chance to remind people not only how they can support the AAMI, but also that the AAMI is a resource they can turn to. We’re happy to celebrate these History Makers and proudly showcase Iowa’s Black history.”

Funds raised at the event support the AAMI’s mission. Reservations for the gala can be secured online at blackiowa.org/gala. For more information about each of the honorees, visit blackiowa.org/gala. Contact the museum for additional information at (319) 862-2101.