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.
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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.
Q&A: Tauhric Brown of CICOA on using data as a home-field advantage
Tauhric Brown, 50, became Lawrence-based CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions’ first Black CEO in January 2020. He’s brokering research partnerships with Stanford University, Eskenazi Health and other organizations to create new efficiencies.
CICF blazes new trail for equity and inclusion
The not-for-profit’s strategy focused on community relationship-building and equity-oriented funding has other area groups rethinking their own procedures and how they share power with those they serve.
Youth-focused minority leadership group launches $33M campaign
The Center for Leadership Development’s campaign aims to raise funding for a series of new satellite locations and a 20,000-square-foot building expansion to support a planned 63% increase in program capacity.
College coalition launches diverse leadership program
Leon Jackson’s brainchild, a leadership development program for underrepresented groups, is up and running.
Editing suite for range of skin tones is first Be Nimble idea-stage pitch winner
The Indianapolis-based Be Nimble Foundation wrapped up its first Black Innovation Week with an inaugural Idea-Stage Pitch Pardi competition—and chose 12 fledgling startups in the tech and consumer products sectors to honor.
$9.2M east-side housing project opens for homeless and at-risk youth
Lutheran Child and Family Services spearheaded the project, which is part of a “housing first” approach that prioritizes a place to live as the first step to stability.