African Americans make up only a small minority of Iowa's population, but contrary to widespread belief, there is a very rich historical culture of African Americans throughout the state. This photographic history focuses on that heritage, and especially on ten Iowa cities with the largest African-American populations.Through vivid images into the early history, religion, culture, sports, recreation, education, health, law, business, and industry in ten towns in Iowa, Charline Barnes, Ed.D, and Floyd Bumpers clearly show that the African- American community of Iowa has made many significant contributions to the history of that state.
Dr. Charline J. Barnes, Ed.D., is an assistant professor of reading education at the University of Northern Iowa and the associate editor of the Waterloo United Communicator. Floyd Bumpers Sr., a retired machinist from John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works, launched the Waterloo United Communicator in 1997. In Iowa's Black Legacy, they have succeeded in offering a visual glimpse into the history of a little-known, but extremely significant, community in Iowa.