Celebrate Black History Month with Local DSM Events

Whether you’re interested in ensuring your workplace has diversity certification or want to nominate a local business for their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts, February is the perfect time to begin thinking about how to honor and support Black business owners in the region. Greater Des Moines (DSM) will hold a variety of events in honor of Black History Month, including the 27th year of Iowa's Premier African American Festival, I'll Make Me a World in Iowa.

The I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa Celebration Day will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 at the Horizon Events Center in Clive and will offer free admission and parking as well as featured presentations, performances, a wellness expo, kids carnival and more. Other events include the Embracing Excellence Grand Gala at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31. 2025 at the Hilton Downtown Des Moines and Education Day on Friday, Feb. 7 at 9 a.m. for middle and high school students. Education Day will feature a keynote from Miss Iowa 2024 Abigaille Batu-Taiko. Learn more about Iowa’s African American Festival at worldiniowa.org.

Black History Month Events in Greater Des Moines

• Simpson College in Indianola: On Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, Honorable Mike Espy will receive the George Washington Carver Medal during a special ceremony at Smith Chapel at Simpson College from 7 – 8 p.m. This is a free event.
• Des Moines Public Library:
  • The Des Moines Public Library’s Forest Avenue location in Des Moines will host a Black History Month Watch Party on Wednesdays in February from 6 – 7 p.m. All ages are welcome to view four short films — Telling Our Own Story — that show what life is like for Black Iowans today. Films include:
    • Feb. 5, 2025: Ending Racism by Ty Rushing
    • Feb. 12, 2025: Poverty and the Wealth Gap by Terrence Thames
    • Feb. 19, 2025: Black History by Professor Venise Berry and filmmaker S. Torriano Berry
    • Feb. 26, 2025: Racism and its Impact by Terrence Thames
  • The South Side Library in Des Moines will also hold a Black History Month Scavenger Hunt featuring Awesome Authors from Tuesday, Feb. 18 – Saturday, March 1, 2025.
• Iowa State University in Ames: The George Washington Carver Day of Recognition Program will take place Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 at Durham Great Hall in the ISU Memorial Union. Registration and a Meet and Greet begins at 5 p.m., with a program from 5:30 – 6:45 p.m. A keynote address will be given by Dr. Jewel Bronaugh, President and CEO of 1890 Universities Foundation. Remarks and other presentations will take place, followed by an Ice Cream Networking Reception featuring Carver-inspired flavors from 6:45 – 7:30 p.m.
• Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee: Head to Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee to experience R&B Only Live on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 at 8 p.m. Sing and dance to live R&B music for two to three hours with DJ GabSoul and Host Apex Laurent.
• West Des Moines Public Library in West Des Moines: In partnership with the West Des Moines Historical Society, the West Des Moines Public Library will hold an Iowa Files: The Underground Railroad in Iowa event on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the Community Room. Learn about the Underground Railroad in Iowa and the Jordan family in West Des Moines from Barry Jurgensen, Midwest Regional Manager of the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom.
• Des Moines Performing Arts at Temple Theater in Downtown DSM: Hear from DC Comics writer Tee Franklin during the Capital City Pride Speaker Series on speaking up for those who don’t have a large platform. This event will be held Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 at 6 p.m. at Temple Theater in Western Gateway in Downtown DSM.
• Johnston Public Library in Johnston: Attend the CultureALL Open Book event featuring Abena Sankofa Imhotep and Tone the MoveMaker as these community members share their personal defining moments. The event will take place Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the West Meeting Room of the library.
• Urbandale Public Library in Urbandale: The Urbandale Public Library will hold a live virtual watch party for an author talk with Pulitzer Prize Finalist Lee Hawkins. The watch party will be held Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m. in Meeting Room A.
• Jordan House in West Des Moines: Jordan House, a historical museum in West Des Moines that once served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, offers Friday and Sunday tours throughout the month that must be reserved ahead of time. Tours take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the house, which is the oldest in West Des Moines and one of the oldest in Polk County.

Looking for even more resources? Learn more about Black Iowans who influenced the world at Iowa PBS, including Civil Rights Activist Alexander Clark and Scientist George Washington Carver as well as the racial harmony of a small mining town — Buxton, Iowa.

From Pride to Juneteenth to the Latino Heritage Festival, big, inclusive events are par for the course in Greater Des Moines (DSM). But there are smaller events celebrating diversity here, too. Attend one of the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Multicultural Receptions, an event celebrating veterans or a sensory-friendly event in the region. Learn more here.