About

The African American Museum of Iowa's oral history project, Adult Voices Children's Eyes, provides a platform for Iowa's vibrant African American history. Students and youth groups throughout the state are hearing the little known stories of African Americans in Iowa. Not only are Iowa's students learning about their history, heritage, and culture, they are gaining valuable interview and communication skills.

The project promotes cross-generational interaction in communities such as Council Bluffs, Waterloo, Quad Cities, Des Moines, Ames, Clinton, Dubuque, Muscatine, and Cedar Rapids. The groups are interviewing individuals addressing four topics:

• Segregation and Integration in Iowa
• African American Professionals in Iowa
• Civil Rights Organizations in Iowa

• African American Church History in Iowa.

This project was made possible through grants and contributions from these and other valued donors: The Institute of Museum and Library Services Museums for America Grant, Richard and Mary Jo Stanley, Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, The Community Fund of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, The Merveaux Historic Preservation Donor-Advised Fund of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, General Mills Foundation, Iowa Historical Society, Inc., and Weaver Witwer Fund administered by the Linn County Board of Supervisors. 

Special thanks to teen photographer Ana Campbell.  Her skill with a camera has set a better tone to this website.

These interviews are a part of the Museum's new permanent exhibit, Endless Possibilities, and a part of the Museum's permanent collection. The project was first conceived by Joe Nolte and coordinated by the African American Museum Children’s Oral History Coordinator Hemie Collier. Hemie is a 2007 graduate of Luther College with a B.A. in History. The current coordinator is Connie Jo Toyne, a 2008 Western Illinois University graduate with an M.A. in American History.