On Nov. 2, the Drake Community Press will host a concert and benefit in celebration of its first book, “The Ones I Bring With Me: Iowa’s Young Latinas on Identity, Education, and Success.” The event, which is funded by Drake’s Student Senate, will be held from 6-9 p.m. at the 4th Street Theatre next door to Java Joe’s Coffee House.
“The Drake Community Press has been able to build relationships throughout this process,” says Carol Spaulding-Kruse, professor of English at Drake University. “Over the past year, students have traveled to small town Iowa to get to know the participants in Latinos/Latinas al Éxito. At the event on Saturday, students in writing, book design, sociology, Spanish language, and public relations will come together with the young women and their families to enjoy live music and raise funds for the official book launch in January. The more funds we can raise, the wider our distribution to Latino communities across the state, where the book’s message of success and strong educational achievement for Latina girls can be heard.”
Many community partners assisted in the planning and production of this book, including Latinos/Latinas al Éxito, a mentoring organization serving young Latinos, and Drake students and faculty members. In the book, Latina girls and women from five Iowa communities talk about the relationships, role models, family, and cultural influences that have helped them see education as the path to future dreams.
A suggested minimum donation of $1 is requested at the event, and childcare will be provided. For more information, contact Carol Spaulding-Kruse at 515-271-3969 or carol.spaulding@drake.edu.
About the Drake Community Press
A small-press publisher, the Community Press is a two-year curriculum based community engagement experience that includes over 100 student and faculty collaborators from several academic disciplines. The Press produces attractive full-color, illustrated editions serving a community readership on issues of concern to Iowans; partners with Iowa organizations to promote positive interaction and community betterment; and provides students with practical knowledge of book editing and production with a cross-disciplinary and collaborative focus.
The Drake Community Press is funded by the Drake Center for the Humanities, the Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship, the College of Arts & Sciences, the Slay Fund for Social Justice, and the Office of the Provost.