Organizers thought 300 people might come to the inaugural I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa festival on Jan. 30, 1999. Instead, 1,000 people flocked to the State Historical Building in Des Moines for a daylong event showcasing African American arts, culture, soul food, exhibitors and a national headliner.Planning began in 1998, when Iowans answered the nationwide challenge to create local events inspired by the PBS and Blackside Productions airing of the “I’ll Make Me a World” mini-series.