Community development group LISC names Hampton executive director

The Indianapolis office of the Local Initiatives Support Corp. on Friday announced that it has hired David Hampton as its new executive director.

Hampton, the former deputy mayor of neighborhood engagement for the City of Indianapolis, will succeed Tedd Grain, who stepped down in December after three years in the position to take a new job at Eskenazi Health and its associated foundation.

As executive director, Hampton will lead LISC’s local staff and programs focused on creating economic opportunity for local residents.

Hampton spent five years as deputy mayor before leaving in January to become president and CEO of Hampton Innovations, his own strategy and consulting firm.

“We are thrilled to have David at the helm of our Indianapolis programs,” said Lisa Glover, interim LISC president and CEO, in written comments. “He is the bold, committed leader we need to not only drive capital into Indianapolis communities, but to collaborate with nonprofits, business leaders, local institutions, philanthropy, and city officials on common efforts to build healthy, resilient, and inclusive neighborhoods in Indianapolis.”

The holder of a doctorate in practical theology from the Christian Theological Seminary, Hampton retired as a pastor in 2019 after 20 years in the ministry. He served seven years as pastor at Light of the World Christian Church in Indianapolis, four years as pastor at Bethany Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York, and five years as senior pastor at Zion Hope Baptist Church in Indianapolis.

A 1990 Lawrence North High School graduate, Hampton has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Indianapolis and executive certificates from Harvard University (Strategic Business Strategy) and Purdue University (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

He is currently on the board of directors of the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership, Indianapolis Black Chamber of Commerce and National Action Network.

He previously served on the Indianapolis Board of Zoning Appeals and the boards of the Indianapolis Urban League, Indianapolis City Market and Martin University.

“I am honored to lead the next chapter of LISC Indianapolis to help improve life expectancy, increase economic mobility and close the racial equity gap,” Hampton said in a written statement. “I will continue to foster the organization’s role as a key partner, investor and convener in the community development field.”

LISC’s Indianapolis office is one of 35 local operations for the New York City-based organization.

LISC was founded nationally in 1979, and its Indianapolis office opened in 1992. Since its opening, the Indianapolis office has invested more than $305 million to leverage more than $1.1 billion in projects that have created more than 8,168 units of affordable housing and 7.28 million square feet of redeveloped commercial space.