Black Des Moines Voices Seldom Heard (1985)

Chronicles the history of blacks in Des Moines Iowa from the mid1800s to the present Vintage photos and film clips are used with interviews to detail the contributions of blacks from their first appearance via the PreCivil War underground railroad to the emotional issues of today Includes early photos of black businesses and neighborhoods the beginnings of the Iowa Bystander newspaper firsthand recollections of the 1920s and 1930s disruption caused by the freeway construction and urban renewal and the many innovations and achievements made by Des Moines blacks Originally aired on WOITV on September 10 1985