Installation Audio Components: Interstate 35

The land on which we gather is the traditional lands of: Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, Meskwaki Nation: Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, and the Sioux People. We pay our respect to elders both past and present.

The installation contrasts Des Moines ranking as a “Best in Nation” place to live, “Iowa nice” reputation of being overly friendly and go out of our way to help fellow citizens, and the visitors’ personal story.

Travel outside the space of your routine to reflect on:

When did you get to Des Moines?

Where are you going?

Who are you going to see?

Why are you going?

What will you do in Des Moines?

How will you move forward?

Introduction and Lesley Payne * 7:33 Davonte: RunDSM * 18:49 Marlú Abarca: Office of Latino Affairs & Des Moines Public Library * 35:00 Morgan Nicole: #PaintitBlack at Drake University

Transcript

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Day 26: Dawn Martinez Oropeza

Lesley Payne interviews Dawn Martinez Oropeza, the Executive Director of Al Éxito, which means “to success”. The organization provides programming to youth in Des Moines and nine other cities in Iowa. They develop Latino/a students’ leadership potential through civic engagement, college preparation, career development, family support, and celebration of culture.

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Day 24: Miavliag

Lesley Payne interviews Miavliag about growing up in the Des Moines metro area. She participated in Movement515. The program is offered to students in Des Moines Public Schools. Students and mentors attempt to slow down the world and investigate themselves. They work toward becoming change agents, shedding light on the impact human emotion and connection brings to the global community. Movement515 is an urban arts community where, twice a week, students and mentors come together to create spoken word poetry.

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Day 23: Champagne

Lesley Payne interviews Champagne about growing up in Des Moines, IA and finding poetry. She works with Movement515, as a mentor. The program is offered to students in Des Moines Public Schools. Students and mentors attempt to slow down the world and investigate themselves. They work toward becoming change agents, shedding light on the impact human emotion and connection brings to the global community. Movement515 is an urban arts community where, twice a week, students and mentors come together to create spoken word poetry and graffiti art.

Transcript

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Day 22: Will Keeps

Lesley Payne interviews Will Keeps about moving to Des Moines, Iowa and starting a movement. He founded Starts Right Here to make change for youth so they wouldn’t go through life without feeling cared for, loved, or being in a home where they don’t feel safe. Will found that his true God given abilities were helping others and empowering them to go down a better path…one he wishes he had the opportunity to go down when he was younger. He is actively working in his community as a mentor, activist, motivational speaker, and using his voice to write and produce songs as a way to reach out to children.

Transcript

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Day 21: Courtney Smith

Lesley Payne interviews Courtney Smith about growing up in Iowa and working with Movement515 as a mentor. Movement515 is a program offered to students in Des Moines Public Schools. Students and mentors attempt to slow down the world and investigate themselves. They work toward becoming change agents, shedding light on the impact human emotion and connection brings to the global community. Movement515 is an urban arts community where, twice a week, students and mentors come together to create spoken word poetry and graffiti art.

Get an update on Courtney from Unashamed & Unapologetic: The Mental Health Podcast: Episode 1 & Episode 12

Transcript

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Day 20: Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel

Lesley Payne interviews Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel about growing up in Iowa and working in Des Moines. He is the Executive Director of One Iowa. The organization advances, empowers, and improves the lives of LGBTQ Iowans statewide.

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Day 19: Tira

Lesley Payne interviews Tira about moving to and working in Des Moines. Tira is the Government Programs Coordinator at Broadlawns Medical Center. The organization has a longstanding history of attending to the medical needs of Polk County residents. With its origins dating back to 1903, the hospital was established to provide medical care for the indigent, and the same mission of service drives the hospital today. New programs, new services, and advanced medical expertise are constantly being added and updated to meet the evolving needs of Polk County for the highest quality healthcare.

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Day 18: Matthea

Lesley Payne interviews Matthea about her life. Matthea is a Support Group Facilitator and Trainer for the State of Iowa with NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The mental health organization is dedicated to building better lives for those affected by mental illness. The staff and volunteers work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.

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Day 17: Montesha

Lesley Payne interviews Montesha about her involvement with Movement515, a program offered to students in Des Moines Public Schools. Students and mentors attempt to slow down the world and investigate themselves. They work toward becoming change agents, shedding light on the impact human emotion and connection brings to the global community. Movement515 is an urban arts community where, twice a week, students and mentors come together to create spoken word poetry and graffiti art.

Transcript

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Day 16: DeLayne Carrington

Lesley Payne interviews DeLayne Carrington about her life. DeLayne is the Event Director at Wildwood Hills Ranch of Iowa. The organization exists to transform lives and strengthen communities. The staff believes Iowa’s kids don’t have to fall through the cracks. They help close the gaps, changing cycles of dysfunction and impoverishment by offering healing, hope and God’s unconditional love to Iowa’s at-risk kids.

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Day 15: Anthony San

Lesley Payne interviews Anthony San about growing up in Des Moines, IA. He works with Turnaround Arts: Des Moines and RunDSM to share his break dancing skills with the students in Des Moines Public Schools. The organizations use arts education as a tool to help create improved conditions for learning in some of the most challenged schools in the city.

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Day 14: Marlú Abarca

Lesley Payne interviews Marlú Abarca about coming to Iowa and working as the Vice Chair of the Latino Affairs Commission, a part of the Office of Latino Affairs, which streamlines access to services offered by the State of Iowa.  The commission is made up of seven Governor-appointed community members who volunteer their time to represent the Latino community in Iowa. During the week, you might find Marlú working as a Bilingual Services Library Assistant in the Des Moines Public Libraries. Through her position, she ensures that the Library is a welcoming environment that engages the community, celebrates culture, and promotes literacy.  

Find Marlú on Facebook or LinkedIn

Transcript

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