Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Updated  Monday, March 23, 2020

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25, 2020

IUL STATEMENT ON INDIANAPOLIS PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA AND THE LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

Indianapolis, IN – The Indianapolis Urban League does not dispute the need for decisive action to counter the existential threat of gun violence in our community, but such actions must be based on broad and extensive community input and consensus. We remain committed to utilize our convening power and voice as an organization to assist all who are sincerely dedicated to addressing problems in our community but such efforts must be genuinely inclusive and representative of all who are stakeholders inclusive of victims, religious and civic organizations, non-profit service providers, mental health providers, employers, law enforcement, and business and political leadership.

Many of the strategies being pursued to address the on-going epidemic of violent crimes our city is experiencing are based upon a little known, federally designed, criminal intervention program called Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), established in 2001. Guidelines for PSN require the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana to work in partnership with the community, federal, state, and local law enforcement, and prosecutors in designing a comprehensive strategy to reduce violent crime.

Research indicates similar efforts in other cities (St. Louis, MO and Richmond, VA) did not succeed because of an overemphasis on incarceration and inadequate funding of non-criminal interventions.

While acknowledging violent and often repeat offenders should not be on our streets, and that they are a threat to peace and harmony in our community, we must also recognize what Columbia University Sociologist, Robert K. Merton called the Law of Unintended Consequences – that actions of people – and especially government – always have effects that are unanticipated or unintended.

The Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) firmly believes the Indianapolis community must be thoroughly educated on the objectives and penalties facing those who are prosecuted under PSN program. It is imperative the Black Community does not perceive this initiative as singling out members of the Indianapolis Black Community in light of the on-going reality of “Driving While Black”, racial profiling, and past practices such as “Stop and Frisk”.

Accordingly, we strongly encourage the U.S. Attorney to reach out to established community forums, such as the Race and Cultural Relations Leadership Network, the African-American Coalition of Indianapolis, and monthly community meetings of the NAACP and neighborhood grassroots-based organizations to outline details and share its strategies. The U.S. Attorney must also share statistical results since PSN has been implemented. Last year, the U.S. Attorney failed to adequately address these concerns. Hopefully he is better prepared and willing to explain how these tactics will be avoided in the on-going execution of PSN this year.

It is equally important that those prosecuted under the PSN program not be singled out because of where they live. Forty-eight percent of Black Marion County residents live in majority-Black neighborhoods according to the findings of five years of U.S. census data recently reported by The Indianapolis Star.  These predominantly Black Indianapolis neighborhoods should not be the sole focus of gun seizure efforts when illegal gun possession occurs throughout our entire city and region.

Further, as reported by Matthew Richmond in IDEASTREAM, “During fiscal year 2018, nationally, 7,500 people were sentenced to federal prison for crimes related to owning or selling a firearm. About 70% were black or Hispanic.” IUL further cautions that disproportionate surveillance and enforcement places legal firearms permit holders and gun owners at peril. Residents who live in areas where violent crimes have occurred and are being committed should not feel at risk of arrest or harassment. They have a Constitutional right to protect their lives, their families, and their property.

“Preventing violence requires changing behavior, not just prosecuting crime after it happens,” states Tony Mason, President & CEO, of the Indianapolis Urban League. “We need to be vigilant and guard against the unintended consequences and ripple effects of an enforcement only strategy that does not pay sufficient attention to the underlying causes driving this whirlwind of violence.”

Contact: Tony Mason
President & CEO, Indianapolis Urban League (317) 693-7603

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About the Indianapolis Urban League
Founded in 1965, the Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) is a nonprofit, non-partisan, interracial, community-based, human services agency dedicated to assisting African-Americans, other minorities and disadvantaged individuals to achieve social and economic equality. Annually the IUL provides direct services and advocacy in the areas of: education and youth services, economic and workforce development, health and quality of life, civic engagement and leadership, and civil rights and racial justice empowerment. IUL is one of 90 affiliates of the National Urban League serving 300 communities in 36 states and the District of Columbia. For more information visit indplsul.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                      February 12, 2020

IUL RESPONDS TO FOX59 NEWS REPORT ON PROPOSED EMERGENCY PUBLIC SAFETY SUMMIT

Indianapolis, IN – The Indianapolis Urban League is issuing this statement in response to the FOX59 news report yesterday implying the Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) unconditionally supports the proposed Emergency Public Safety Summit announced Monday, February 10, 2020 by Indianapolis City County Councilman Brian Mowery on the Plaza at City Market.

Click here to see FOX59 report

The Indianapolis Urban League made clear to Councilman Mowery, via email yesterday, that its general support for the concept of an Emergency Public Safety Summit was conditioned on these important considerations, stating:

“We remain committed to utilize our convening power and credibility as an organization to assist all who are sincerely dedicated to addressing problems in our community but such efforts must be genuinely inclusive and representative of all who are stakeholders inclusive of victims, religious and civic organizations, non-profit service providers, law enforcement, mental health providers, employers, law enforcement, and political leadership.

Toward that end, the IUL will participate in these study efforts but, it is imperative that the group must be broadly representative and must minimally include: families of homicide victims and impacted citizens, youthful Black males, bi-partisan members of the Indianapolis City-County Council, the Office of the Mayor, IMPD, the Minority Police Officers Association, FOP, AACI, and neighborhood leaders of various persuasions,” said Mark Russell, Director of Advocacy and Family Services.

The IUL further clarifies that the city of Indianapolis cannot use incarceration as the sole strategy to address this urgent community problem of criminal homicide.  We do not support incarceration as the solution. We do support a strategy that incorporates a holistic concept that addresses root cause issues that move the city to reduced incidents of violence.  Root causes include, but are not limited to, re-entry challenges, lack of access to living wage jobs (especially for ex-offenders), disproportionate unemployment and underemployment in the African American community, domestic violence, access to mental health and substance abuse counseling, and lack of access to basic necessities such as food, and  affordable housing.

“We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past and echoes of past practices in Indianapolis of attempting to solve problems but not involving those most directly affected,” states Tony Mason, president & CEO, Indianapolis Urban League. “The IUL, remains true and committed to mission of positively empowering communities and changing lives one person at a time.”

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Contact: Tony Mason

President & CEO, Indianapolis Urban League

(317) 693-7603

PLEASE CALL NOW: SNAP/TANF Benefit Cliff Bill Hearing

It’s not too late to call!

Dear colleagues,

I’m pleased to share that Sen. Ronald Grooms, chair of the Senate Family & Children Services Committee, will be hearing SB 313 Eligibility for Public Programs. This bill, authored by Sen. Jean Breaux, would smooth the benefit cliff for SNAP and TANF, while seeking to make more college students eligible for SNAP.

The hearing is at 9:00 am Monday, January 27th. Could you please call or email the members of the committee first thing in the morning to voice your support?

Sen. Ron Grooms, Chair 317-234-9425 s46@iga.in.gov
Sen. Greg Walker 317-232-9984 s41@iga.in.gov
Sen. JD Ford 317-232-9847 s29@iga.in.gov
Sen. Jean Breaux 317-232-9534 s34@iga.in.gov
Sen. John Crane 317-232-9984 s24@iga.in.gov
Sen. Stacey Donato 317-232-9466 s18@iga.in.gov
Sen. Jon Ford 317-232-9517 s38@iga.in.gov
Sen. Mike Gaskill 317-234-9443 s26@iga.in.gov
Sen. Erin Houchin 317-232-9488 s47@iga.in.gov

We don’t know at this time if the committee will take a vote on the bill or just hear testimony, but any show of support will help our cause. Thanks so much!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indianapolis Urban League Announces New Board Officers and Directors

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, January 27, 2020 – The Indianapolis Urban League is pleased to announce the election of new Board Officers for 2020-2021 including Maria Wiley, CFE as Chair, Deon Levingston as Vice Chair, Philip L. Johnson as Treasurer, Fred Payne as Secretary, and Willie Roper as Immediate Past Chair.   The new officer term is effective January 1, 2020, and runs through December 31, 2020.

In addition, the Indianapolis Urban League Board of Directors has elected eleven new directors who will serve their first two-year term beginning January 1, 2020.

• Tatiana Holifield-Arthur, VP/Head of Digital Strategy, Pacers Sports & Entertainment
• Toni Hickey, Deputy General Counsel & Chief IP Counsel, Cummins, Inc.
• Michael Huber, President & CEO, Indy Chamber
• Kai Johnson, Manager, Community Partnerships, Salesforce
• Jennifer Lawatsch, Group HR Manager, Enterprise Holdings
• Robert L. Manuel, President, University of Indianapolis
• DuJuan McCoy, Owner, President & CEO, Circle City Broadcasting
• Dennis Mullins, Sr. Vice President Supply Chain Operations, Indiana University Health
• Kevin O’Toole, President & CEO, Managed Health Service (MHS)
• Adrienne Sims, PsyD, Vice President, Talent Management, One America
• Weylin Stewart, Sr. Manager of Sales & Marketing, UPS Ohio Valley

“We are pleased to welcome these talented, exceptional leaders as they help shape and guide our next 50 years of dedicated community service,” said Tony Mason, president & CEO of the Indianapolis Urban League.

Tatiana Holified-Arthur

Toni Hickey

Michael Huber

Jennifer Lawatsch

Robert L. Manuel

DuJuan McCoy

Dennis Mullins

Kevin O’Toole

Adrienne Sims, PsyD

Weylin Stewart

Indianapolis Urban League Full Board Officers and Directors

Contact: Kim Teague
kteague@indplsul.org
317-693-7603

About the Indianapolis Urban League

Founded in 1965, the Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) is a nonprofit, non-partisan, interracial, community-based, human services agency dedicated to assisting African-Americans, other minorities and disadvantaged individuals to achieve social and economic equality.  Annually the IUL provides direct services and advocacy in the areas of: education and youth services, economic and workforce development, health and quality of life, civic engagement and leadership, and civil rights and racial justice empowerment. IUL is one of 90 affiliates of the National Urban League serving 300 communities in 36 states and the District of Columbia. For more information visit indplsul.org

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Hiring Hoosiers: ‘New Beginnings’ at Indianapolis Urban League

By: Marc Mullins

Hear Amanda’s story.

Hiring Hoosiers is an initiative from RTV6 that works to connect Hoosiers to employment opportunities, career development resources, training programs and educational paths. Learn more about Hiring Hoosiers and see new stories weekdays at 6 a.m. on RTV6.

INDIANAPOLIS — There was a time when Amanda Endicott felt like things were hopeless, until she set her eyes on a flier leading her to a free program that would change her life. Now, she’s making money and making strides.

Life for Endicott is looking up.

“I have a full time job,” Endicott said. “I’m not in transitional housing anymore. I have my own place. I have a driver’s license. I have a brand new car.”

FIND JOBS | Find open positions in central Indiana with the Hiring Hoosiers job board

That is not how things were fifteen months ago. At that time, she had no income, no job, no home, no driver’s license, and little hope.

“Yeah, it was pretty bad,” she said. “I was pretty desperate, honestly.”

Addiction and a criminal record led Endicott to the transitional house, where, one day, a visitor brought a flyer to share with the women who lived in the home. The words spoke to Endicott.

“The first thing it said on there was, ‘Do you need help finding a job? Do you need help with transportation? Do you need help building a resume?'” Endicott said. “Like if i was to make a checklist for myself… things I needed to achieve or goals I needed to attain to project my life forward, it was literally just a checklist.”

With nothing to lose, the flier prompted Endicott to check out the New Beginnings program at the Indianapolis Urban League.

New Beginnings is a free, two-week work-readiness program preparing job seekers for retaining and securing a job. It focuses on composing a resume, evaluating the transferable work skills of the program participants, coaching through the interview process, and even provides participants with clothing for their interviews.

The program started in 2014 and has helped more than 2,000 people land jobs and new skills. Roughly, 80 to 100 people sign up for the program each month.

Indianapolis Urban League Vice President of Programs Kimberly Simmons points out the free resource can help get people from wherever they are in life to where they may want to be.

“Many of our program participants have multiple barriers to employment,” Simmons said. “Maybe they have convictions. Maybe they’re homeless. Maybe they’re struggling with an addiction of some sort.”

LEARN MORE | Indianapolis Urban League New Beginnings program

Endicott says the first thing instructors do lays the foundation for encouragement.

“The first thing we learned was that no matter what our past is and no matter where we’ve come from, we can always build. You’re not stuck,” Endicott said. “That is not who you are. That is not your identity. That is some things that happened to you, but you can overturn that. That is very empowering. They didn’t see the stigma attached to all of us in there. They saw opportunity.”

Typically, participants find a job during the second week of the New Beginnings program, when they take part in the speed interview sessions. Urban League partners with more than 100 local employers, who call the agency for prospective applicants.

Endicott says her two-weeks at Urban League set her life into a new gear.

“I’ll talk about the Urban League to everyone and anyone who will listen,” she said.

After securing a seasonal job at a local contractor office, Endicott has been promoted at the company to a full-time customer service and sales representative. She says she is making good money. She’s now giving back to lift up others, thanks to the New Beginnings program.

“I have some girls in my life that I mentor now, and I send them all over there,” Endicott said. “I can’t sing their praises enough with what they’ve done to help change my life.”

The next New Beginnings Information Session is Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. at the Urban League offices at 777 Indiana Ave.

The free classes start again on Nov. 12, with free lunch served daily. Must attend the New Beginnings Information Session Thursday, November 7, 2019  to attend class on Tuesday, November 12, 2019.

Indianapolis Urban League Workforce Development & Center for Working Families 

NBA All-Star 2021 Host Committee Announces Statewide Legacy Initiative
$1 Million To Fund 21 Capital Improvement Projects for Youth-Serving Nonprofits and Honor 21 ‘Rising Stars’

Eligible Organizations are Encouraged to Apply at http://pacers.com/all-star-legacy

INDIANAPOLIS – The NBA All-Star 2021 Host Committee with support from Governor Eric Holcomb and Mayor Joe Hogsett launched a million-dollar legacy initiative today focused on youth-serving nonprofit organizations across Indiana as part of the NBA All-Star 2021 celebration.

The initiative will provide grants up to $50,000 for 21 brick-and-mortar capital improvement projects that focus on health and wellness (e.g., indoor/outdoor basketball courts, playgrounds) or education (e.g., STEM labs, reading centers). Selected projects will then also help identify a high school-aged Rising Star in each of those same communities. The 21 Rising Stars, members of the class of 2021, will serve as honorary chairs of the local Legacy Project and recruit other youth to serve leading up to NBA All-Star 2021 in support of the project. The Rising Stars will have a corresponding scholarship program as well.

“With the goal of creating a lasting impact well beyond NBA All-Star 2021, we aim to improve the lives of youth across the entire state with these 21 Legacy Grants and Rising Stars,” said Rick Fuson, Founding Chairman, All-Star Board of Directors and President and Chief Operating Officer, PS&E. “Not only do we grow basketball here, we grow community here too.”

Governor Holcomb commented, “We will create endless opportunities for our youth through these Legacy projects – whether they join a pick-up game for some neighborhood fun or they explore scientific theories in a STEM resource lab. When we take the opportunity to make events like All-Star celebration more than a game, we build a bench that prepares our students and our state for tomorrow.”

“With this Legacy Project, we will leverage the NBA All-Star 2021 celebration to invest in our youth and showcase Indianapolis,” added Mayor Hogsett. “Our community has a history of hosting large scale, multi-day celebrations that raise the bar for these types of events. This Legacy Initiative is one more example of that, as we reach beyond the fans who will come for the game and aim to impact generations of Hoosiers through meaningful investments in our
communities.”

Tamika Catchings, Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Indiana Fever and NBA All-Star 2021 Host Committee Board Co-Chair, outlined logistics for the application process, saying, “We all know people who work or are served by great organizations that help kids every day. Please reach out to them to ensure they know about this opportunity and encourage them to apply. We want all corners of our fine state to have a lasting memory and – more importantly – a legacy to benefit our youth long after the All-Star game.”

“We’re thrilled to support the Pacers and the NBA All-Star Host Committee as they engage youth through this innovative legacy initiative,” said Kathy Behrens, NBA President, Social Responsibility & Player Programs. “NBA All-Star celebrates the game of basketball and highlights the ways it brings people together. We know these projects will empower youth and communities across the state of Indiana long after All-Star.”

Youth-serving nonprofits have until December 31, 2019 to apply for these grants via the Sports Exchange managed by Indiana Sports Corporation http://pacers.com/all-star-legacy. Grantees must work toward intended project completion prior to NBA All-Star 2021 weekend and demonstrate long-term sustainability. Grantees will be publicly announced after NBA All-Star 2020 in Chicago.

The 70th NBA All-Star Game will take place at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on February 14, 2021.

For general information about NBA All-Star 2021, please visit http://pacers.com/all-starweekend.

About NBA All-Star 2021
NBA All-Star 2021 in Indianapolis, Ind., will bring together the most talented and passionate players in the league’s history for a global celebration of the game. The 70th NBA All-Star Game, which will take place on Sunday, Feb. 14, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, will mark the second NBA All-Star in Indianapolis after the city hosted the midseason classic in 1985. TNT will televise the All-Star Game for the 19th consecutive year, marking Turner Sports’ 36th year of NBA All-Star coverage. Bankers Life Fieldhouse will also host the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 12, and the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, MTN DEW Three-Point Contest and AT&T Slam Dunk during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, Feb. 13. Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center are among the other venues throughout Indianapolis that will host events, including the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and NBA All-Star Media Day & Practice.

Whitney M. Young, Jr. Urban Leadership Development Conference

David Mikelsons receives 2019 Excellence in Youth Services Programming Award

“I am honored to receive this award on behalf of the all Project Ready students and administrators affiliated with Indianapolis Urban League Project Ready Program.  Receiving this award affirms the countless number of hours shared with our students preparing them for college, career and life; and the spirit of service we (Project Ready Site Coordinators) demonstrate daily at our four Project Ready sites,” David Mikelsons.

David received the 2019  Excellence in Youth Services Programming Award from the National Urban League at the 2019 Whitney M. Young, Jr. Urban Leadership Development Conference hosted in New York City September 30 – October 2, 2019.

As Manager of the Indianapolis Urban League’s Project Ready: College Readiness and Project Ready STEM and Educational Initiatives, David provides leadership for the Project Ready Site Coordinators while coordinating the Thomas Carr Howe Community High School Project Ready site.

David’s passion for youth is not just during the school year.  The last eight years, David has spent his summers working with the National Urban League Youth Leadership Team behind the scenes on event logistics to ensure the youth experience is stellar; and the last two years serving on the Steering Committee.

Congratulations David!