This Q&A is part of the story series Voices of Drake that highlights the diversity, ambition, and passion of the incredible people who make up our campus community. In recognition and celebration of Black History Month, we will be sharing a collection of interviews to spotlight Black voices in our community. This week’s story highlights Drake senior, Brooklyn Lowry, who is studying health care administration and pursuing a law degree.
Tell us about yourself.
I am a senior studying health care administration and currently pursuing a law degree to study public policy and further promote health advocacy and social change, particularly in underserved communities.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month, to me, is a time of reflection, celebration, and learning. As a mixed-race Black woman in college, it’s a reminder of the resilience and achievements of Black individuals throughout history, while also acknowledging the struggles and systemic challenges we’ve faced as a community—and continue to face. It’s a time to honor the rich cultural heritage that contributed to art, politics, science, and much more. It has shaped so much of history, often without the recognition it deserves.
For me, it’s personal, too. It reminds me of my identity, the strength of my ancestors, and the responsibility I carry to contribute to a better future. Black History Month isn’t just about the past—it’s about celebrating who we are today and imagining what we can be tomorrow. It’s both empowering and grounding, and it inspires me to keep learning, growing, and uplifting others.
Why did you choose to attend Drake?
My desire to attend Drake was deeply rooted in my commitment to placing myself in a supportive environment that emphasizes academic excellence and my longterm goal of being an advocate. I first began as a pre-pharmacy student, thinking pharmacy would equip me to advise about the impact that prescription drugs could have on closing inequitable gaps in health outcomes for disadvantaged communities. However, the pre-pharmacy track was unfulfilling and disconnected from my passion to become a change agent. My most impactful and enjoyable experiences were actually within non-profit organizations researching public policy and supportive community events. Through the opportunities Drake provided me with, I was able to change my major to health care administration and realize that my calling to be a change agent was, in fact, pursuing a career in law.
What is your favorite thing about Drake?
If it was not for Drake, I would not have had such privilege to experiment within different careers and experience life-altering professional opportunities. I constantly boast about Drake’s emphasis on professional experience and beneficial alumni connections.
In what ways have you grown since coming to Drake?
In every way imaginable: Personally, emotionally, professionally, spiritually, and cognitively.
What do you hope to do after you graduate?
I am passionate about understanding and using a legal framework to effectuate transformative change in areas where inequities persist, particularly in healthcare access. After I graduate, I hope to be given the opportunity to contribute to a law school community that values diverse perspectives and fosters an environment where meaningful dialogue and collaboration thrive.
Who has been some of your important mentors during your time at Drake?
This is a difficult question to answer. I have a few mentors, all for different aspects of my life and career. Jessica Lang, my first mentor, taught me the importance of professionalism and balancing academic and personal growth. She guided me in finding my confidence, building connections, and finding my place within the Drake community. Corey Dion Lewis, my first mentor outside of Drake, taught me valuable lessons of storytelling, passion, and resilience. He truly emphasized power in mentorship, encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, and taught me how to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Sharon Miller, my internship mentor (and boss), taught me the important of authenticity and honesty in both my personal and professional life. Her guidance showed me how being genuine builds trust and meaningful connections, especially in a sensitive field like child advocacy.
Are you involved in any student organizations, groups, or community service work? Tell us about those experiences.
I am involved in many different things around campus and the Des Moines community. If I’m on campus, I’m either there for Unity Roundtable, Student Fees Allocation Committee, or Delta Theta Phi, Crew Scholars on occasion (or probably a Starbucks run). Outside of campus, you may find me at my internship at Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, or meeting up with my old bosses for my recently-finished internship for MyCityMyHealth podcast.
My position as treasurer for Unity Roundtable, the multicultural organization on campus made up of other diverse and transformative campus orgs, includes things like managing finances and financial records, supporting collaborative and inclusive efforts through the organization, and attending meetings. As a board member for the Student Fees Allocation Committee, my commitments are slightly less serious compared to Unity Roundtable. In collaboration with a few other Drake students and the student body treasurer, we collaborate as a team to allocate Drake’s club reservoir fairly between all requesting clubs on campus. As for Delta Theta Phi, this is the pre-law fraternity on campus open to any committed undergrad that desires an experience in law-related events and additional help/information for applying to law school. And lastly, Crew Scholars, the leadership program for diverse students, a program that I am forever grateful for. As a Crew Scholar, I gained valuable leadership and collaborative skills. As a senior, I provide guidance to underclassmen through shared experiences of being a student of color on campus.
Outside of campus, I have been involved in a few collaborative advocacy efforts such as Prevent Child Abuse Iowa and MyCityMyHealth. Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, an organization that works to strengthen families and support communities in preventing child abuse through education, advocacy, and partnerships, I have the privilege of researching policies and how the law affects familial outcomes, understanding important educational points, and attending organizational opportunities throughout the community. Comparatively, during my time as an intern for MyCityMyHealth, I had the privilege of hosting a health-focused podcast and collaborate with industry leaders, which allowed me to amplify voices often excluded from critical conversations.
What do you hope is accomplished during the month of celebration and recognition?
Political and social activism. Leave the disrespect masked as sarcasm and black history-oriented “jokes” at home this year. Given the recent and appalling decisions of the US Supreme Court to roll back decades of measured progress to unlock well deserved opportunities to black and brown communities through the use of race-conscious factors (i.e. affirmative action, D.E.I. policies) the need could not be greater for political and social activism. The return of historically racist policies that our ancestors fought hard to dissolve makes this month feel more like a frustration than a celebration.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life, and what lessons did that person teach you?
My Nana has been and always will be the biggest influence in my life. She was a strong, resilient Black woman who made sure that her children and grandchildren understood the importance of education. Born in 1947, she lived through so much, and despite the challenges, she always fought for a better future. She made it her mission to push us to pursue higher education, knowing that it would open doors and create opportunities that weren’t always available to her generation.
Her resilience was unmatched. Even when she faced debilitating health challenges, she NEVER gave up, and made sure to instill that same determination in all of us. She taught me that education is not just about earning a degree, but about empowerment, self-improvement, and breaking barriers. Nana’s belief in me never wavered, and her legacy lives on in my pursuit of knowledge and success. Even though she passed in 2017, her influence continues to guide me every day.
How do you like to spend your free time? Tell us about your hobbies and interests.
I like to spend my free time in various different ways. If it is not overshadowed by outside-of-class work, you can typically find me doing something that involves food whether that be cooking or eating out with friends.
What advice would you like to give to a student thinking about coming to Drake next year?
There is one piece of advice that I share with most incoming freshman I come into contact with. In fact, when I had the amazing opportunity to participate in a health sciences panel in front of all the freshman health sciences students, although not the most professional, I shared it with them. This is the youngest, understandably irresponsible, and hottest that you will be in your life. It is so extremely important that you give yourself grace in your classes and enjoy life. There are people who do not have the privilege of going to college and enjoying the luxury of living in a town where everyone around them is the same age. Enjoy it not only for yourself, but for the people that couldn’t.