Iowa City Senior Center's Black History Ball is a night of celebration and community connection
The historic Iowa City Senior Center will hold a unique event on Saturday to mark the start of Black History Month.
The Iowa City Senior Center's (ICSC) Original Mature Groovers (previously known as Elders of Color) are collaborating with the local non-profit organization Sankofa Outreach Connection for the inaugural Black History Ball. The event will take place in the Assembly Room from 7-10 p.m.
The evening celebrates the rich history and culture of the African American community in Iowa while promoting unity and friendships.
One of the senior center's recent goals has been to find ways to combat social isolation, a mission the organization upheld even before United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new Surgeon General Advisory for a public health crisis of loneliness and isolation.
The senior center has increased its focus on social activities and functions that unite various groups. The Black History Ball serves a social purpose and allows its members to interact with local and national history.
"In an effort to be very intentional about our equity standard and how we want to make sure that people from all backgrounds feel included and have their voices heard, so programming is being created around the unique needs of some of our underserved populations," said LaTasha DeLoach, Senior Center Coordinator
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A warm, winter's welcome
The Black History Ball was birthed out of a desire for a formal welcoming event. The event will highlight and uplift Black individuals with diverse backgrounds, acknowledging the journey from Africa to Iowa through local partnerships, like Sankofa Outreach Connection, which connects women of color to the community.
"The event aimed to celebrate the lineage and connection of Africans who now consider themselves Iowans, along with those who have been in Iowa for multiple generations," DeLoach said. "We're going to celebrate American history. We're going to see that in art. We're going to see that in food. We're going to hear that in music."
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The Iowa City Senior Center has tapped the Stanley Museum of Art to help connect with the African American community. The museum is loaning art pieces for display at the Old Post Office Gallery. The short-term traveling exhibit called "From Africa to Black Island" will be on display to the public throughout the month of February.
A musical celebration
Jazz music has long been an avenue of success and camaraderie for the African American community. Saturday's ball will have plenty of melodic tunes for guests to enjoy, shedding a light on one of America's oldest and most unique industries.
Dr. Ashley Howard, an assistant professor at the University of Iowa, will kick off the ball with a keynote address, followed by live jazz from the Curtis Taylor Quartet, led by University of Iowa Jazz Studies assistant professor Curtis Taylor.
Guests can bid on items in the silent auction throughout the event, including art from local Black-owned businesses. Auction proceeds will support programming for the ICSC's Original Mature Groovers and the Sankofa Outreach Connection.
Tickets for the Black History Ball cost $50. DeLoach encourages all ages and demographics to help celebrate the rich history of African American culture.
"Come for a great night out with your neighbors. We've been locked in a house, and all have Cabin Fever. Get the heck out and come and have a good time," DeLoach said. "This is open to everyone. This is not just for one cultural group. We would love to see leaders from our community there. We would love to see people from different religious backgrounds, just everybody."
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City Senior Center hosts Inaugural Black History Ball on Saturday
