Slay Fund for Social Justice

With the mentorship of faculty and staff, Drake students have leveraged funding to explore research on DEIJ-related topics as diverse as the BP oil spill, pre-jail diversion and deflection programs, Latina meat processing workers in Iowa, and healthcare clinics in Uganda.

Slay Fund for Social Justice grants have sponsored campus speakers such as President Jimmy Carter, Ambassador Andrew Young and journalist Ernie Suggs, cartoonist and author Alison Bechdel, and journalist Michele Norris—guests whose stories inspire action. Workshops, panels, and open courses, meanwhile, encourage our community to engage in meaningful dialogues with activists and non-profit leaders.

At conferences such as the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE) and the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute, Drake students explore ideas they then share with others on campus, accessing leadership development programming and preparing to promote inclusive initiatives among their fellow Bulldogs. Funding also enables Drake students to intern for DEIJ-oriented community non-profits, empower minority-owned businesses, and discover the equitable, inclusive potential of collaborative book publishing through summer or semester-long opportunities.

The Slay Fund for Social Justice directly contributes to Drake’s culture of inclusive mentorship. Our efforts support the Office of Community Engaged Learning’s Faculty Fellows and the Community of Digital Excellence (CODE) Scholars program, which creates a more equitable and inclusive pathway for students traditionally underrepresented in STEM careers.

Directed by Professors Meredith Moore and Tim Urness and supported by the Slay Fund for Social Justice, the CODE Scholars program couples a renewable $5,000 scholarship with mentorship and experiential opportunities to cultivate a more diverse STEM workforce. The participating cohort grew to 25 students for the 2023-24 academic year.

A cohort model fosters Changemakers’ growth as entrepreneurs and leaders while they serve our community. In 2024, participants raised funds for the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC), organized outreach events, and provided business support to up-and-coming minority enterprises.