Mark your calendars for Thursday, Oct. 25, in which writer Alexia Arthurs will read from her story collection, How to Love a Jamaican, one of the most anticipated book releases of the summer. The event will take place in the Cowles Library Reading Room at 7 p.m. as part of the Susan Glaspell Writers & Critics Series.

— Yasmina Madden, English Department

Faculty and staff are invited to help say goodbye to the 2018 cohort of Mandela Washington Fellows on July 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Turner Jazz Center.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

For the third consecutive year, Drake is proud to host 25 Mandela Washington Fellows for six weeks of Drake University and metro-community engagement. The fellows arrived June 20 and will return to their home nations in sub-Saharan Africa in early August. An official reception to welcome the fellows will take place today, June 26, from 4 to 5:15 p.m. in Levitt Hall. The reception is hosted by Provost Sue Mattison. Faculty, staff, and the greater Drake community are invited to attend—all are welcome. Please come and meet these incredible young leaders who have traveled to Des Moines to engage with our community.

— Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning

There is still time to register for the 101 Speaker Series: Team Dynamics, which includes a free lunch for registered attendees.

The session is tomorrow, June 13. Doors open at 11:45 a.m. with the program starting at 12 p.m. The speaker series is open to faculty, staff, students, and the general public. Registration is required.

Panel experts include:

• Heather Schott, assistant director of diversity and inclusion, HR culture and inclusion, Principal
• Ina Purvanova, associate professor of management and leadership, Drake University
• Andy Wilson, senior vice president of consumer revenue, Meredith Corporation

— Dianna Gray, College of Business and Public Administration

Pyramid Theatre Company’s play Prowess is showing now through June 17 at Stoner Theater in Des Moines. The show stars Vic O’Bryant, Drake senior and musical theatre major, as Zora. In the action-comedy packed with heart and humor, Zora decides to take on the crime in Chicago after being attacked on a Red Line train in Chicago. The play explores the social implications of taking justice into one’s own hands. Prowess is written by Ike Holter, one of the most exciting playwrights in the country, and directed by two-time Cloris Leachman Award winner Ken-Matt Martin, AS’12, JO’12. Buy tickets and learn more about the play.

As part of Iowa’s Juneteenth Observance, the oldest known celebration to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States, broadcast journalist Soledad O’Brien will be on campus Thursday, June 14, from 5 to 6 p.m. in Sussman Theater for a question-and-answer session. Tickets are still available. The event will be moderated by KCCI anchor Rheya Spigner.

After the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, owners in many isolated areas kept word from their slaves so that they would not flee. On June 19, 1865, some of the last slaves in America were freed when the news at last reached Confederate Galveston, Texas. Since that day, Juneteenth has been celebrated to honor the African Americans who built this nation. View information on all events.

— Kathleen Richardson, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

The 101 Speaker Series is designed to engage the audience through interaction with our local panel of experts. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions on a wide range of topics of interest. The series is open to faculty, staff, students, and the general public; however, registration is required.

The upcoming session will be held on Wednesday, June 13, and will focus on team dynamics. Doors open at 11:45 a.m. with the program to begin at 12 p.m. Lunch will be provided for the first 50 people who register.

Panel experts include:
Heather Schott, assistant director of diversity and inclusion, HR culture and inclusion, Principal
Ina Purvanova, associate professor of management and leadership, Drake University
Andy Wilson, senior vice president of consumer revenue, Meredith Corporation

— Dianna Gray, College of Business and Public Administration