Meet the Author Book Signing November 5, 2011

NEW BOOK CELEBRATES HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY

African Americans of Des Moines and Polk County, by Honesty Parker, is a new book exploring the heritage of African Americans in Des Moines through vintage photographs and captions. Although African American pioneers arrived in Des Moines, Iowa, in the early 1860s, the population exploded in the 1880s due to the surrounding coal mines. From 1900 to the 1960s, African Americans across the United States called Center Street "the coolest place in the country."

"I hope that for generations to come, African Americans who live in Des Moines or who have lived in Des Moines will pass on this history with pride," says author Honesty Parker.

African Americans of Des Moines and Polk County is available at area bookstores, independent retailers, online retailers, and through Arcadia Publishing at (888) 313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com .