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Organizers thought 300 people might come to the inaugural I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa festival on Jan. 30, 1999.
Instead, 1,000 people flocked to the State Historical Building in Des Moines for a daylong event showcasing African American arts, culture, soul food, exhibitors and a national headliner.
Planning began in 1998, when Iowans answered the nationwide challenge to create local events inspired by the PBS and Blackside Productions airing of the “I’ll Make Me a World” mini-series. Slated for February 1999, the series highlighted the history of African American arts in the 20th century, featuring Vanessa Williams, Spike Lee, Wynton Marsalis, choreographers Bill T. Jones and Arthur Mitchell, and other Black trailblazers living and deceased. ....

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