Since the late nineteenth century, African Americans have participated in a variety of sports and contributed in profound ways to Iowa’s sporting culture. African Americans experienced severe discrimination in sports as in other activities, but fought long and hard to overcome racism.

In Iowa, they frequently used achievement in sports as a way to come together as a community. These countless narratives both on and off the court, field, and ring, remind us of the broader struggle for civil rights in America.

Presented by the African American Museum of Iowa

This is one of 10 events scheduled while the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street “Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America” exhibit is in Mt Vernon, Iowa.