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IFL Iowa Barnstormers

Barnstormers Celebrate Black History Month

February 1, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Iowa Barnstormers News Release


Black History Month is an annual celebration to acknowledge the contributions and achievements made by African Americans in U.S. history. In 1915, historian Carter G. Woodson and prominent minister, Jess E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). They dedicated their organization to researching and promoting achievements made by Black Americans and people of African descent. Now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the group sponsored a national Negro History week in 1926, choosing a week in February to honor the birthdays of Fredrick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, President Gerald Ford cemented February to be officially recognized as Black History Month.

Throughout the month of February, the Iowa Barnstormers Professional Indoor Football team will focus its efforts on impactful initiatives that correspond with the organization's commitment to engaging the African American community throughout the Des Moines Metro Area. The pillars of the team's efforts will focus on education, sports and advocacy, and community.

"We are grateful to have the opportunity as a professional sports team to fill our roster each year with a diverse group of men from all over the country who are dedicated to youth mentorship, with a strong commitment to giving back to communities, such as the ones they grew up in and have temporarily left for the season," said General Manager, Juli Pettit. "Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to open up the conversation with a handful of our athletes to hear how they wanted to get involved in the community and how they wanted Black History Month to be acknowledged and celebrated by our organization. We are excited to implement their ideas throughout this month and carry them through the season and future seasons to come."

All month long, the organization will be highlighting current and former Barnstormers players who attended a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and sharing some of their experiences during their enrollment. Current local players and coaches will be dedicated to giving back to their community and supporting the youth through visiting Des Moines Public School Outreach programs. In addition to those initiatives, the Barnstormers are proud to highlight local Black-owned businesses and partners during the season.

More programming and activations will be announced throughout the month and year as part of the Iowa Barnstormers commitment to the African American community.

To learn more about Black History Month visit:https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month



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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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