Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Des Moines, Iowa has been through various different leaders in their time, but there’s one pioneering pastor who sparked hope through his sermons. And, according to a clipping from The Des Moines Register, he was given $1 and a chicken to preach on Sundays, but that's not all he … Continue reading Would you consider preaching for $1 and a chicken too?
What’s Old is New Again
A few days ago I came across a snippet in the Des Moines Register Archives from April 8, 1934: Bethel A.M.E. Church was hosting a lecture on Black Maternal Health, given by Dr. Nelle Noble. This short newspaper clipping from nearly 90 years ago is illustrative of the many ways Black Churches filled the gaping … Continue reading What’s Old is New Again
What else do y’all do?
I was reflecting on how irregular our social media and blog posts are. It occurred to me that people might be interested in why that is and what else we are up to at the Iowa Black History Research Collective. We have families. All of our board members have children in our lives, who we … Continue reading What else do y’all do?
Spark
Shortly before my grandfather died in 2017, the family church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa was designated as a historic site. It felt like such a tremendous honor given that my grandfather had been Bishop over Iowa's Church of God In Christ pretty much my entire life. The idea of our family's church being recognized felt … Continue reading Spark
Nikole Hannah-Jones, The Iowa State Library, and The Matter of Ralph: Part 3
FIrst, off - I did not intend for this to be a month long cliff hanger. The second half of December brought not just winter holidays, a young child home on break, it brought a night of tornadoes across the state of Iowa, another derecho, a national threat of school violence...all while the pandemic rages … Continue reading Nikole Hannah-Jones, The Iowa State Library, and The Matter of Ralph: Part 3
Nikole Hannah-Jones, The Iowa State Library, and The Matter of Ralph: Part 2
In my previous blog, I wrote about my experience at the Des Moines Public Library Foundation's 2021 Iowa Author Awards dinner recognizing Iowa native Nikole Hannah-Jones and her work on the 1619 Project. During her speech, Ms. Hannah-Jones spoke extensively about what the Public Library meant to her growing up in Waterloo, Iowa. I really … Continue reading Nikole Hannah-Jones, The Iowa State Library, and The Matter of Ralph: Part 2
Nikole Hannah-Jones, The Iowa State Library, and The Matter of Ralph: Part 1
On Monday, November 22, I was privilged to attend the Des Moines Library Foundation's 2021 Iowa Author Awards Dinner, recognizing Iowa native, Nikole Hannah-Jones and her work on the 1619 Project. First: This was the first large, indoor event that I have attended since the pandemic hit in March, 2020. Each audience member was required … Continue reading Nikole Hannah-Jones, The Iowa State Library, and The Matter of Ralph: Part 1
Welcome to Black History Research Collective
Growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, we would occasionally drive by a church on the corner of University Avenue and 14th street. Each time, my dad would say, “That was your grandparents’ first church in Des Moines.” My grandmother passed away in 2008, and my grandfather in 2017. I wish I'd asked them more questions … Continue reading Welcome to Black History Research Collective