Join Humanities Iowa and CultureALL for an Open Book program at Drake University — an afternoon of storytelling, dialogue, and authentic personal connection.

Meet the Books:

• Gabby Guerra – An immigrant from El Salvador and first-generation college graduate, Gabby has dedicated her career to youth engagement and currently serves as Executive Director at Al Éxito. She shares her journey navigating new cultures, languages, and opportunities in Iowa.
• Tone The MoveMaker – A street hustler turned artist and designer, Tone transforms his experiences into creative work at Mainframe Studios in Des Moines and shares how he helps others turn struggles into strengths through his brand, Designed by the Streets.

This free program invites participants to hear, reflect, and engage with these compelling stories — sparking dialogue and connection across experiences and perspectives.

This program is part of By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.