The Freedom Forum podcast: Lamont Hatcher, founder of tech firm AIS
Hatcher talks to host Angela B. Freeman about the challenges of being an entrepreneur and how he’s had to push through his introverted nature to become a leader.
Diversity
Articles
LGBT school group in Pendleton wins injunction, can promote activities
The principal at Pendleton Heights had barred the group from advertising on school bulletin boards or anywhere else on school property, according to the group’s lawsuit.
California faces challenge to law requiring women on corporate boards
A judge will begin hearing evidence Wednesday that could undo the law credited with giving more women seats in boardrooms traditionally dominated by men. The California law has spurred other states to adopt or consider similar laws.
The Freedom Forum podcast: Attorney, author and speaker Dawn Rosemond
For Rosemond, the first African American woman to make equity partner at Barnes & Thornburg, success hasn’t been an easy road. Dawn tells podcast host Angela B. Freeman about her experiences blazing a trail for Black women in law, her journey to finding herself and how she’s changed since the death of George Floyd.
NCAA women’s basketball tournament expands to 68 teams
The tournament is expanding beginning with the current season, giving it an equal number of participants as the men’s tournament as part of a concerted effort at gender parity.
City report calls for low-barrier, service-rich shelter for homeless residents
The report from the Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety says the new shelter should offer a high level of access and feature a concentration of services meant to help homeless people get back on their feet.
Business coalition takes aim at racial education, workforce gaps
A new report, released Tuesday, says major gaps in education and employment affect the lives of Black Indianapolis residents long-term, but businesses could help improve the situation.
Marion County renters can now apply for a full year’s worth of rent help
Marion County’s IndyRent program has begun accepting applications for up to 12 months of rental assistance, Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration announced Wednesday. The long-awaited move adds nine months of help to the program, which previously maxed out at three months.
The Freedom Forum podcast: Jessica Gendron, The Center for Leadership Excellence
In this week’s podcast, host Angela B. Freeman talks with Jessica Gendron, CEO of The Center for Leadership Excellence, about the challenges that women face in life and their careers.
Report urges greater diversity for Indiana State Police
An external review of Indiana’s state police agencies found they need to bolster the recruitment and promotion of minority and female officers and increase training about racial bias.
City sets up first Black-led community development loan fund
Indianapolis is making preparations for its first Black-led Community Development Financial Institution, which will aim to offer businesses in economically disadvantaged communities access to capital and other help.
Fifth Third Bank announces $20M investment in Arlington Woods neighborhood
Most of of the funding will will go to improve mortgage access, capital access for small businesses and other education resources in the northeast-side neighborhood.
Thousands of new city trees to go where data shows they’re needed most
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, which plants 3,000 to 4,000 trees in the city each year, is digging even deeper into data and working more closely with local government to make sure its tree-planting plans benefit all areas of the city in a more equitable way.
The Freedom Forum: Netlogx’s Audrey Taylor and The Darden Group’s Akilah Darden
Host Angela B. Freeman talks with two central Indiana women who started their own companies in the male-dominated fields of technology and construction.
After months-long fight, Fall Creek Place affordable housing complex approved
The City-County Council on Monday evening approved rezoning for a mixed-use, affordable housing project set for Fall Creek Place, overturning a Metropolitan Development Commission denial and ending months of pushback from some residents.
Programs aim to bring diversity to work-procurement table
Two new supplier-diversity programs are launching in Indianapolis as local companies and other organizations try to make good on their equity promises from last year.
The Freedom Forum: Venture capitalist Kelli Jones
Tune in monthly for new episodes of The Freedom Forum with Angela B. Freeman, a podcast exploring diversity and inclusion efforts within the central Indiana business community.
Indy Library CEO to step down after months of controversy
The announcement of Jackie Nytes’ impending departure comes after allegations of racial discrimination within the library system and claims of a negative work environment.
Census shows United States diversifying, white population shrinking
Some demographers pointed out that the white population was not shrinking as much as shifting to multiracial identities. The number of people who identified as belonging to two or more races more than tripled from 2010 to 2020.
Foundation will withhold funding from Indy library amid discrimination allegations
The Indianapolis Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, announced Monday it will withhold funds from the Indianapolis Public Library system until it completes a planned climate survey and makes “significant, meaningful and measurable” changes.