Drake in Des Moines in Polk County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Paint It Black
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2021
1. Paint It Black Marker
The iconic Painted Street tradition has been associated with the Drake Relays since 1975. The event gathers hundreds of students and involves student organizations painting themed squares and ends with a festive paint fight.
In the fall of 2018, students, faculty, and staff broke tradition by painting the street black, as a symbol of solidarity with students of color on Drake's campus. The #PaintItBlack Project mobilized in solidarity for students of color, after a racist note threatening violence had been anonymously delivered to a Black student's residence hall room on November 7, 2018.
The goal of the movement was to reinforce equity and inclusion initiatives, by inspiring the togetherness needed to make a strong, dynamic statement against racism and white supremacy. Using the most symbolic encapsulation of Drake's identity, the Painted Street, students stood together with support from the larger Drake community to commit themselves to the work of anti-racism.
This plaque stands as a reminder of the efforts made by students of color and their allies, in spreading the message of the #PaintItBlack Project, and acknowledging a continued effort to participate in meaningful action that affirms an anti-racist Drake community identity.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
this page online
Location. 41° 36.109′ N, 93° 39.276′ W. Marker is in Des Moines, Iowa, in Polk County. It is in Drake. It can be reached from University Avenue just west of 28th Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker and "Painted Street" are located on the Drake University campus on the south side of Jewett Residence Hall, about 1/10 mile north of University Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2507 University Ave, Des Moines IA 50311, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Willkie House (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Historic Center Street Neighborhood (approx. 1.3 miles away); 'The Gift' from Rotary To The Children of the World (approx. 1.3 miles away); St Paul's Cathedral and Garden (approx. 1.6 miles away); Scottish Rite Consistory Building (approx. 1.7 miles away); The First Public Schoolhouse (approx. 1.7 miles away); History of the Waterbury Neighborhood (approx. 1.8 miles away); Civil Rights Victory (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Moines.
Also see . . .
1. Paint It Black: Street Painting.
Students(Submitted on March 19, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)created the #PaintItBlack Project in response to hate incidents on campus. The group brought forward a proposal to Drake University Student Senate to paint the Painted Street black until the 2019 Drake Relays, which unanimously passed a resolution of support. President Marty Martin confirmed his support of the resolution, following a forum attended by students of color, Drake Student Senate executive members, and Drake University Board of Trustees Chair David Golder.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 20212. Paint It Black Marker(looking north • Jewett Residence Hall in background)
2. Paint it Black: Where are they now?.
It took ten days long days of meeting and persuading and organizing in the midst of a crisis to pull the whole thing together. Dozens of people were involved. But the initial push for painting painted street came from three students who became the face of the #paintitblack project: Morgan Coleman, Courtney Guein and Tim Gant. Now, one year later, these student activists reflect on the birth of a movement, changes on Drakes campus since then and what campus climate looks like now for students of color.(Submitted on March 19, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2021
3. Paint It Black Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2021
4. The Painted Street
Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 653 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 19, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
