Throughout the history of the Afro American Cultural Center (established 1968) and the Latino Native American Cultural Center (formerly the Chicano Indian American Cultural House, established 1971) both centers have been central to political activism at the University of Iowa (UI).

The “Spotlight Series: 70’s Activism at UI Cultural Houses” display focused on the activities of the African American, Chicano and American Indian students. Student organizations brought many speakers to the UI campus for discourse and dialogue. Each organization was proactive in their support and involvement with the Black Power, Chicano and American Indian Movements locally and nationally. This display is a physical documentation of each cultural center’s contribution and a snapshot of how three national activist movements of the 70’s resonated with the students at the University of Iowa.

The UI Cultural Houses and Resource Center managed by the Office of Student Life are fundamental in bringing to light issues that are important to African Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Latinos and Native Americans and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community. The displays are meant to connect the library to the UI cultural houses and resource center.

The UI Cultural Houses and Resource Center managed by the Office of Student Life are fundamental in bringing to light issues that are important to African Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Latinos and Native Americans and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community. The “Spotlight” displays, were located by the Information Desk on the first floor of the Main Library, were meant to connect the Libraries to the UI cultural houses and resource center.

The displays were “living displays,” meaning that students could take the displayed books off the shelf and check them out. The displays were learning tools and the materials provided generate interest in the subject.