Many African-Americans across Iowa said determination and excitement is driving them to participate for the first time in tonight's Iowa caucuses. "Black people -- this is our opportunity to step up to the plate," said Melvin Hawkins, a 45-year-old disc jockey from Davenport and a first-time caucus-goer. Blacks in Des Moines, Waterloo and Davenport said they felt compelled to learn about a political process that is still somewhat mysterious to them -- and participate tonight -- because they feel strongly about presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.

Labels: Barack_Obama, caucus