Free DMU program honors black history month

(Des Moines, IA) – In the spirit of diversity and equality, Des Moines University will celebrate Black History Month with a free presentation on Feb. 14. Beginning at noon in the Des Moines University (DMU) Academic Center, lecture hall one, 3440 Grand Avenue, everyone is invited to learn about the Underground Railroad.
“We want to provide opportunities for improving cultural awareness at Des Moines University,” explained Lynn Martin, Ph.D., LMFT, director of educational support services at DMU. “We are bringing presenters to our campus to tell a story that students, staff, faculty and the public may not have been exposed to. As part of Black History Month, we are very happy to welcome Galin Berrier.”
Berrier, an adjunct instructor at Ankeny’s DMACC campus, will present the history of the Underground system in Iowa. He will delve into many aspects of the sometimes controversial, always fascinating, portion of Iowa’s history.
“We wanted a speaker to offer a new perspective for Black History month,” Martin said. “Black history is often thought of as dealing with the civil war. We, in Iowa, may not be aware of the role people in our own state played.”
Des Moines University is hosting this event with help from Humanities Iowa, a private, non-profit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities since 1971.
For more information or to RSVP, call 515.271.1681. The first 50 registrants will receive a free box lunch. Everyone else is welcome to bring a lunch.