A Biannual Journal of Black Alumni of Drake University
CONTRIBUTORGUIDELINES
SPRING 2026
FALL 2026
FALL 2025
The Story Only You Can Tell
DRAKEVINE™ is a biannual journal shaped by lived experience—stories formed in classrooms, dorm rooms, student org meetings, late nights, early pressure, quiet triumphs, and hard reckonings. We invite contributors who understand that history isn’t made in hindsight—it’s lived in real time, often without applause.
If you were there, if you felt it, if it shaped you—your voice belongs here.
What We Publish
DRAKEVINE™ features long-form storytelling that reflects the complexity, humanity, and impact of Black life connected to Drake University.
We are interested in work that explores:
Identity, Belonging, and Becoming
Leadership Formed Under Pressure
Excellence, Ambition, and the Cost of Carrying Both
Friendship, Failure, Resilience, and Reinvention
Influence That Extends Far Beyond Campus
These are not profiles. They are stories with breath.
Voice & Tone
Write as someone who lived it—not as someone reporting from a distance.
We value writing that is:
Honest, Not Performative
Reflective, Not Sentimental
Clear, Grounded, and Human
Thoughtful Without Being Precious
You don’t need to impress us. You need to tell the truth well.
Story Formats
We accept:
Personal Essays
Reported Narratives
Reflections Grounded In Lived Experience
Cultural or Institutional Analysis Rooted in Proximity
Typical length: 1,200–2,000 words for feature stories or 800–1,200 words for shorter reflections
If the story needs more room, we’ll make space.
Who Can Contribute
DRAKEVINE™ is guided by alumni, but contributions may include:
Drake Alumni Across Generations
Current Students (By Invitation or Assignment)
Scholars, Leaders, or Creatives With Deep Relational or Institutional Proximity
This is not about credentials. It’s about connection and credibility.
Images & Visuals
If submitting images:
High-Resolution Photography (300 dpi preferred)
Original or Properly Credited Work Only
Captions and Context Required
Visuals Should Add Meaning—Not Decoration
Editorial Care
Every accepted piece goes through:
Collaborative Editing for Clarity and Flow
Fact-Checking Where Applicable
Thoughtful Pacing and Design Integration
We take our contributors seriously—and treat their work accordingly.
Rights & Compensation
Contributors retain copyright to their work.
DRAKEVINE™ receives first publication rights in print and digital formats.
Compensation is discussed upon acceptance and varies by assignment and issue.
We believe creative labor matters.
How to Submit
Start with a brief pitch that includes:
A short description of your story idea
Why this story matters now
Your connection to Drake University
Professional profile image
A short bio (2–3 sentences)
If the story belongs here, we’ll know quickly.
Our Promise
We are committed to honoring Black life with depth, dignity, and care.
We don’t rush stories.
We don’t flatten them.
We don’t publish what we can’t stand behind.
If you’re ready to tell the story only you can tell—we’re ready to listen.
Join the Alumni Network
GET INVOLVED WITH THE DRAKEVINE™
Explore the Journal
Discover the stories shaping 140 years of Black alumni impact.
Advertise With Purpose
Align your brand with leadership, legacy, and a highly engaged alumni network.
Contribute a Story
Help shape the narrative and expand what gets remembered.
Fund the Work
Support the journal, the scholarships, and the future it makes possible.
DRAKEVINE™ • TELLING OUR STORIES. SHARING OUR LEGACY. INVESTING IN WHAT'S NEXT.
CONTACT [email protected] | ADVERTISE [email protected] | CONTRIBUTE [email protected]
DRAKEVINE™ is independently produced by Drake University alumni of the Black Student Organization and friends and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Drake University, the Drake Black Alumni Reunion, or the Drake University Black Alumni Association.