Minority-owned firms face ‘crisis’ as affirmative action programs fall
Minority- and women-owned businesses are bracing for the end of affirmative action in federal contracting—and the potential loss of contracts worth at least $70 billion a year.
Minority/Women
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Initiative will pair Black-owned businesses with downtown spots
The moves are part of a larger effort to help the city’s core recover from the pandemic, and they’re getting help from a not-for-profit that has emerged as a local leader in diversity initiatives.
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Cook Medical builds Indy factory using only contractors with diverse owners
Hiring 100% diverse contractors to build a $15 million medical-device manufacturing facility was considered difficult, if not impossible, by many in the construction industry.
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Black-led financial institution looks to create access to capital
Work is underway to determine what kind of support services Black-owned businesses will need to complement the loan fund.
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College coalition launches diverse leadership program
Leon Jackson’s brainchild, a leadership development program for underrepresented groups, is up and running.
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Articles
Tech-powered initiative aims to boost Black-owned firms
A group of Indianapolis-based organizations has come together to create Indy Biz Pass, which the organizations describe as a first-of-its-kind network designed to support local Black-owned businesses.
Indy’s new inclusion office prepares to tackle equity wealth gap
The Hogsett administration’s newest department is now part of a grant-funded effort to craft a racial wealth-equity plan for Indianapolis.
White plaintiffs attack federal programs that presume racial disadvantage
The Minority Business Development Agency is one of several federal programs under siege over a fundamental assumption ingrained in Washington policy: that certain racial and ethnic groups are inherently disadvantaged
Indiana 250: Emil Ekiyor
Emil Ekiyor is founder and CEO of InnoPower, an Indianapolis not-for-profit that works to encourage and highlight innovations in minority communities.
With new funding, Kheprw seeks to develop Black entrepreneurs
An organization focused on empowering Black residents in Indianapolis has received a huge boost as one of the first recipients of funding through the Indianapolis African American Quality of Life initiatives.
Indiana Landmarks to identify Black heritage sites
Thanks to a recent $5 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant and other financial support, Indiana Landmarks is expanding its boundaries beyond just preserving buildings.
Black-owned architecture firm wants notion of diversity to be realized in its fullest
Meticulous Design + Architecture has focused not just on building its client list—which stretches from Pike Township to the Middle East—but also on creating more opportunities for people of color who want to enter the architecture field.
Q&A with Homer Somerville, a construction veteran
His company is one of about two dozen minority-owned or disadvantaged subcontractors who are working on a $15 million manufacturing facility that will produce medical devices for Bloomington-based Cook Medical.
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.
Should men’s and women’s Final Fours be held in the same city, same weekend?
The NCAA’s efforts to address equity imbalances could lead to a joint championship site later this decade, with Indianapolis believed to be a likely contender for hosting such a spectacle.
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.
Not-for-profit promoting tech careers for women hires executive director
Melissa Jacobs cited her background in corporate sponsorship as an opportunity to grow the group’s corporate funding and develop partnerships with local organizations.
3-time NHRA Top Fuel champion breaking barriers, starting his own team
Antron Brown announced this year he is leaving the comfy confines of drag racing superpower Don Schumacher Racing after this season to roll out AB Motorsports in 2022.
Newfields’ new chair seeks to undo harm of race controversy
Darrianne Christian in May became the first Black woman to chair the Newfields board of trustees, just months after the art museum and gardens faced an uproar over its handling of race and inclusion issues.
Library under fire after ex-employee raises racism allegations
Some other employees and a former trustee interviewed by IBJ also say library management and board members have not fully and appropriately dealt with such matters in a constructive, public way.
2021 Innovation Issue: Lilly’s disruptive model opens doors to women, minorities
For more than a century, Eli Lilly and Co. has pushed for innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. But six years ago, the drugmaker had to admit it was less than innovative in its own workforce.
Public companies using SEC filings to talk up diversity, but few sharing data
Eli Lilly and Co. included in its proxy statement an intricate graphic breaking down the presence of women and minorities in its overall workforce and in management.
Entrepreneur starts hydroponics container farm on vacant urban lot
DeMario Vitalis, a descendant of cotton-plantation slaves and sharecroppers, sees ironic ties between his family’s past and his farm ownership.
Legislation seeks to keep pregnant women on the job
Gov. Eric Holcomb and a group of lawmakers and family advocates are pushing for legislation that would require companies to offer more breaks or modify schedules and tasks for pregnant women—if they need them.