CELEBRATING A WORLD OF CULTURE IN IOWA!

Education Day

Friday February 9, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

For middle and high school students.

Workshops, prizes, culture and STEM!

TO:   Iowa Secondary School Educators, Counselors, Diversity Coordinators, Administrators and Youth organizations

FROM:  Betty C. Andrews, Executive Director, I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa

I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa (Iowa’s African American Festival) is pleased to offer its Education Day programming to middle and high school students with the important goal of promoting education, awareness and preservation around African-American history.  We invite you and your students to join us once again for a day filled with educational opportunities and fun. 

Who should attend? Education Day is a golden opportunity to enrich social studies, world history, world cultures or government classes.  IMMAWII Education Day is a wonderful opening activity or culminating project for an extracurricular activity such as debate team, social studies club or diversity club.  Regardless of your focus, you’ll want to take advantage of this opportunity to broaden your students’ cultural awareness and appreciation.

IMMAWII Education Day includes a day-long series of workshops and learning activities for students.  Secondary schools and youth organizations across the state of Iowa will participate in the Education Day activities on Friday, February 9, 2024, starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 2:00 p.m.  Educators and Youth Organizations are encouraged to bring their students to be a part of this historic learning experience.  Education Day is for ALL students regardless of heritage, grade point average, or special needs.

IMMAWII Black History Game Show: Our most celebrated project for Education Day is the IMMAWII Black History Game Show.  This quiz show features teams from across the state of Iowa.  It’s a unique opportunity for students in grades 6 through 12 to compete for awards based on their knowledge of African-American history and for their schoolmates to root for them in a positive academic experience.   Teams must have six members and may have up to four alternate members.  1st Prize $300, 2nd Prize $200.

Workshops, Culture, Art, STEM Programing Activities and College Fair: Education Day will also bring numerous opportunities to engage around African American History and higher education through relevant displays and workshops from Presenting Sponsor Iowa State University, and other colleges, presenters and community partners.  Additionally, IMMAWII dedicates significant Education Day programing to STEM. Students will also have the opportunity to explore higher education opportunities with the IMMAWII College Fair.

Biz Pitch Competition:  Calling all student entrepreneurs. Got an idea for a business?  Enter this contest and pitch your idea to business leaders for a chance to win up to $250 to help start your business.  The Biz Pitch Competition encourages students in both middle and high school divisions to start thinking about owning a business now. Check the box on the registration form for details.

Registration:  The registration deadline is February 1, 2024.  However due to the interest this program has had in the past, it is important that you submit your registration promptly.  Schools interested in participating in the IMMAWII Black History Game Show will need to register their team as soon as possible.  Study guides will be sent electronically to the participants upon registration beginning December 5, 2023, so in order to maximize your study time, it is to your advantage to register early. 

FREE ADMISSION!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Celebration Day 2024

Saturday, February 10, 2024, 10AM–7PM

Celebrating Black culture with headliners, performances, art, history, wellness expo, kids carnival, vendors and more!

"We gather to honor a culture rich with pride, hope, resilience and joy.   We gather to honor those who have toiled and paved the way and those that now push powerfully forward. We gather to lift spirits and touch hearts.  We gather to remember, to share, and to educate.  We have made our world in Iowa and we gather to celebrate." - Betty C. Andrews, IMMAWII Executive Director

Iowa’s Premiere African American Festival is pleased to celebrate 26 years of showcasing African American Culture in Iowa.  This exciting festival celebrating I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa’s status as the first major festival of the year; the kickoff to Black History Month; the home of Iowa’s newest official state song (titled “I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa”); and as the inspiration for other major ethnic festivals with thousands in attendance.  

IOWA PERFORMERS

Music, drama, dance, fitness, vocals, mimes, painting, sculptors and much more.  Each year I'll Make Me a World in Iowa brings over 40 performing artists, visual artists and artist groups from Iowa and throughout the country performing on multiple stages and an expanded array of cultural and soul food vendors.

SMALL BUSINESS & NON PROFIT EXHIBITORS & VENDORS

There is something for everyone at I'll Make Me a World in Iowa!  Whether its delicious soul food; that unique item that you can only find from that special small business: a nonprofit that is sharing its helpful information or  a local artist or author showcasing the fabulousness of Iowa, you will want to check out our vendors and exhibitors at the festival.  Also our corporate sponsors will make available a number of engaging  opportunities during the festival.  Small businesses and non-profits visit our vendor page to get your booth today!  

HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO 

Offering Free Screenings and Preventative Consultation

IMMAWII acknowledges that showcasing African American culture is vastly important but also knows how critical it is to improve the lives of the community through outreach efforts like the IMMAWII Health & Wellness Expo.  The expo provides numerous opportunities to improve the health of community members including fitness activities, free tests and screening for cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, vision and others. It also offers free flu shots. Services are available to all attendees. This is important because the African American community lags in numerous categories and for many people, this is the only time they see a healthcare professional.

FREE ADMISSION!  FREE PARKING!

Festival Date : Festival 9-10, 2024 

Location: Horizon Event Center  Both Education Day and Celebration Day will be held at the newly renovated Horizon Events Center  at 2100 NW 100th St, Clive, IA 50325

Click here for more information