All Cedar Valley Reads Series Kicks Off With Discussions of African-American Migration to Waterloo

A community-wide discussion on race, history, community and identity is kicking off in Cedar Falls and Waterloo.

Starting tonight, Aug. 28, community members of both towns are encouraged to take part in Up from Mississippi: the Warmth of Iowa’s Sun, A Cedar Valley Campus/Community Book Discussion Series.

The discussion is based on The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson.

From now until Jan. 2013, community gatherings and book discussions centered around the themes of the book will be taking place across the Cedar Valley.

The book is an account of the migration from 1915 to 1970 of nearly 6 million black American citizens out the American South in search of better lives in the north and west.

The community discussions will focus on the Cedar Valley's part of that legacy, including the large number of people who migrated from Holmes County, Miss. to Waterloo. 

Copies (print and/or audio) of the book are available for checkout from the Waterloo and , the Center for Multicultural Education and the UNI Rod Library.

Calendar of Events (August 2012 – January 2013)

Tuesday, August 28, 6:30 p.m. Community-wide Book Discussion Kickoff, Grout Museum of History and Science Historian:

Dr. Bob Neymeyer and social ethicist Dr. Michael D. Blackwell will set the stage for discussion of blacks’ migration to Waterloo in 1911 and the subsequent development of a thriving community around the train tracks. Individuals will be present who have personal stories to share regarding the period from 1915 to 1970; they will help to fuel discussion of coping mechanisms, transcendence over adversity, and the development of a vibrant culture and its nuances.

Saturday, September 1, 7 p.m. Theatrical interpretation of The Warmth of Other Suns by the UNI Theater Department Bertha Martin Theater.

No tickets necessary, seating on a first come, first served basis.

September 16 through October 18 Book Discussion Sessions #1-3 Various locations and times (See listed options.)

Tuesday, October 30, 6:30 p.m. Community-wide Gathering, Grout Museum of History and Science:

Drs. Neymeyer and Blackwell provide further historical and social context for ongoing book discussions.

November 11 through January 17 Book Discussion Sessions #4-6 Various locations and times (See listed options.)

Tuesday, January 29, 6:30 p.m. Concluding Community-Wide Gathering, Grout Museum of History and Science

Drs. Neymeyer and Blackwell lead a concluding session, to include a multimedia extravaganza.

~ All events free and open to the public. ~

Discussion Session Schedule (Choose the day and time most convenient for your schedule)

Sunday, 3:00-4:30 p.m., YWCA of Black Hawk County
Session #1: September 16; Session #2: September 30; Session #3: October 14; Session #4: November 11; Session #5: December 2; Session #6: January 13

Monday, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Cedar Falls Mennonite Church
Session #1: September 17; Session #2: October 1; Session #3: October 15; Session #4: November 12; Session #5: November 26; Session #6: January 14

Tuesday, 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., University Book & Supply
Session #1: September 18; Session #2: October 2; Session #3: October 16; Session #4: November 13; Session #5: November 27; Session #6: January 15

Wednesday, 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Elm Room, Maucker Union
Session #1   Session #2    Session #3    Session #4    Session #5    Session #6
September 19 October 3 October 17 November 14 November 28 January 16

Wednesday, 6:30-8:00 p.m., UNI Center for Urban Education
Session #1: September 19; Session #2: October 3; Session #3:  October 17; Session #4: November 14; Session #5: November 28; Session #6: January 16

Thursday, 6:30-8:00 p.m., YWCA of Black Hawk County
Session #1: October 4; Session #2: September 20; Session #3: October 18;  Session #4: November 15; Session #5: November 29; Session #6: January 17

Organized and Sponsored by
UNI 2012-13 Reaching for Higher Ground Project; Cedar Valley Citizens for Undoing Racism
Co-Sponsored by
Cedar Falls Public Library, Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission, Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, Grout Museum of History and Science, Jubilee UMC Resource Center, NAACP Black Hawk County Branch, Peace & Justice Center of the Cedar Valley, Project for the Beloved Community, Inc., University Book and Supply, UNI Center for Multicultural Education, UNI College of Education, UNI First-Year Cornerstone Project, UNI Office of Sponsored Programs, UNI Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, UNI Rod Library, Waterloo Human Rights Commission, Waterloo Public Library, YWCA of Black Hawk County.