COMMUNITY DRIVE-THRU FOOD BOX AND MEAL DISTRIBUTION – Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Posted on April 27, 2020February 21, 2023 by K Teague

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 27, 2020

COMMUNITY DRIVE-THRU FOOD BOX AND MEAL DISTRIBUTIONFOR FAMILIES IMPACTED BY LOST JOBS AND INCOME REDUCTION DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS

Indianapolis, IN – The Indianapolis Urban League (IUL), in partnership with Gleaners, Second Helpings, the Children’s Bureau, Radio One, and WISH-TV will host a free drive-thru food box and meal distribution for 500 families who have lost their jobs and have experienced a reduction in income due to the Coronavirus on Tuesday, April 28 at the Indianapolis Urban League on a first-come, first-served basis, while food boxes and meal supplies last.

“Empowering families with food and meals is a vital service to keep our community thriving during this unprecedented public health crisis which has impacted all residents in our city, state, nation, and world in some capacity. The Indianapolis Urban League and its partners will continue to do their part in assisting families with this basic need at our community food drive,” said Tony Mason, President and CEO, Indianapolis Urban League.

Who:
Indianapolis Urban League and partners: Gleaners, Second Helping, the Children’s Bureau, Radio One, and WISH-TV

What:
Community Drive-Thru Food Box and Meal Distribution for familiesimpacted by lost jobs and income reduction due to the Coronavirus. Families will receive a free foo box and meal until all are distributed (supplies last).

6’ social distancing guidelines will be enforced.

Where:
Indianapolis Urban League parking lot, 777 Indiana Avenue. Enter the Indianapolis Urban League parking lot at the St. Clair Street entrance

When:
Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. until all food boxes and meals are distributed. (while supplies last)

Why:
Empowering families with food and meals is a vital service to keep our community thriving. The Indianapolis Urban League and its partners recognize maintaining the overall health of families in our community is important during this public health crisis.

Contact: Tony Mason, President & CEO, Indianapolis Urban League (317) 693-7603 tmason@indplsul.org

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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

Covid Community Food Drive Updated 4.2020 (1)

Marion County Election Board Begins Mailing Absentee Applications to Registered Voters

Posted on April 22, 2020 by K Teague

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2020

MARION COUNTY ELECTION BOARD BEGINS MAILING ABSENTEE APPLICATIONS TO REGISTERED VOTERS

[INDIANAPOLIS, IN] Today, the Marion County Election Board has begun mailing absentee ballot applications to all registered voters in Marion County providing ample time for voters to return theirapplications. Voters who want to vote absentee by mail should:

1. Follow the enclosed instructions.
2. Complete the application.
3. Mail the application to the election board using the return envelope that is provided. The election board must receive the completed and signed application no later than 11:59 PM on Thursday, May 21.
4. Receive the ballot. Voters can track their ballots on indianavoters.in.gov or the Indiana Voters app on their mobile devices.
5. Complete the ballot. Voters must submit their ballots to the election board no later than Noon on Election Day—Tuesday, June 2 to have their votes cast. Voters can return their ballots to the Election Services Center, located at 3737 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46201.

Increasing access to the ability to vote absentee by mail allows Marion County voters to cast a ballot while protecting their health and safety. Voting absentee by mail promotes good public health while avoiding the close social interactions that are inevitable at satellite early voting sites or election-day vote centers.

For this reason, the Marion County Election Board with the support of Mayor Joe Hogsett and the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council strongly encourages its residents to vote absentee by mail.

About the Marion County Election Board The Marion County (IN) Election Board is committed to conducting fair and free elections for our residents.

To find us online, visit www.indy.gov/election or send an email to elections@indy.gov. Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/MCEBIndy
# # #
Contact: Russell Hollis, Deputy Director
Marion County Clerk’s Office
Email: Russell.Hollis@indy.gov
Phone: (317) 327-5099

MyINDY-TV 23 TO BROADCAST DAILY ACADEMIC LESSONS FOR INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENTS

Posted on April 20, 2020 by K Teague

INDIANAPOLIS – April 20, 2020 – DuJuan McCoy, owner, president, and CEO of Circle City Broadcasting (parent company of WISH-TV and MyINDY-TV 23), today announced a partnership with Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) to produce and broadcast academic lessons to IPS students in Grades K–8 five days a week. IPS, along with all other Indiana public schools, is closed through the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Lessons will air 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday–Friday on MyINDY-TV 23, beginning April 27 through the end of the school year. Each lesson will vary in length and will cover a variety of subjects, including English, Math, Reading, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
McCoy, an Indianapolis native and graduate of Butler University, attended IPS prior to graduating from Ben Davis High School. He knows first-hand the impact this connectivity will have on the more than 24,000 K-8 IPS students in the Indianapolis area.
“We’re very proud to bring these critical broadcasts to students in our community,” said McCoy. “While e-learning is fulfilling the educational needs of some students across the state, many families do not have internet access in their homes. Free broadcast television can help to fill the gap for those without access by providing a link to educational opportunities for all students, regardless of income.”
Although some internet service providers are making free access available, certain limitations can still make this unfeasible for many families. Nearly 99% of all U.S. homes have at least one television, and by simply using an antenna, the free, over-the-air signal of MyINDY-TV 23 should reach the majority of IPS homes.
“We are extremely excited about this new partnership with Circle City Broadcasting as a way to share critical learning with our K–8 families who may not have a computer or internet access,” said IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson. “This adds another layer to the instruction that our students are receiving through the IPS Home Learning Plan and increases access to families who need it most.”
MyINDY-TV 23 is providing production of the lessons, presented by IPS teachers, free of charge. The broadcast lessons will mirror the videos teachers have already recorded on their class pages online and will cover content in the homework packets mailed to families.

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The Indianapolis Urban League Commends Governor Holcomb for Vetoing SEA 148

Posted on March 26, 2020March 26, 2020 by K Teague

The Indianapolis Urban League Commends Governor Holcomb for Vetoing SEA 148 protecting Hoosier Home and Apartment Renters

Mark Tenants Rights Bill Governor Photo 3.20

Click here for video and article

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2020

The Indianapolis Urban League was one of three hundred organizations who banded together to oppose this legislation (SEA 148) which represented an end run around democracy. Acting against very significant odds of failure, these 300 groups banded together to represent over 2 million Hoosier renters – 1/3rd of the Hoosier population – many of whom are poor and working class households with many children and fixed income seniors.

This veto will protect renters from being retaliated against by landlords for reporting significant health and safety violations such as lack of heat, running water, operable air condition in summer, etc.

We thank Governor Holcomb for doing the right thing, in understanding the concerns of the 2 million Hoosiers who rent their apartments and homes, by vetoing SEA 148.

Consistent with our mission to assist African-Americans, other minorities, and disadvantaged individuals to achieve social and economic equality, the Indianapolis Urban League and its allies will be extremely vigilant in opposing future efforts such as these to defend the interests and rights of vulnerable Hoosier families, children, and the elderly.

###

Contact:

Anthony “Tony” Mason, President & CEO, Indianapolis Urban League (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

Continuing to Serve You with Minimal Disruptions – COVID-19 Update

Posted on March 20, 2020March 23, 2020 by K Teague

Covid 19 Web Continuing To Serve You With Minimal Disruptions

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Updated Monday, March 23, 2020

In adherence to Governor Holcomb’s statewide order to stay home, the Indianapolis Urban League staff will work remotely to do our part in helping fight the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The ‘stay-at-home order’ starts Tuesday, March 24 at 11:59 p.m. ET and goes through Tuesday, April 7, 2020.

Click here for Governor’s Statement from WISH TV

Effective Tuesday, March 24, 2020, the Indianapolis Urban League staff will:

Work remotely. We will continue serving you with minimal disruptions to the maximum extent possible.
Be available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During business hours, you may call our main line at (317) 693-7603 and you may send general questions to info@indplsul.org. We will respond to all messages within 24 hours.
Stay connected via email, phone calls, and video conferencing. You may also follow us on Facebook @indplsul and Twitter @indplsul, and on our web site at www.indplsul.org for updates.

While we work remotely, all in-person meetings and building activities have been suspended until further notice. This includes the suspension of HIV/STI Testing, all IUL training classes, information sessions and workshops, and use of the Computer Lab.

In partnership with our local health officials we will continue to take proactive and educated actions to assess when we are able to safely bring our programs and in-person services back to the building and into the community while we keep the health and safety of our constituents at the forefront of every decision we make.

In the meantime, protect yourself, stay healthy and keep connected.

Sincerely,

Anthony “Tony” Mason

President & CEO, Indianapolis Urban League

IUL Statement: Indianapolis Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative of the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Indiana

Posted on February 25, 2020 by K Teague

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

IUL Responds to FOX59 News Report on Proposed Emergency Public Safety Summit

Posted on February 12, 2020March 13, 2020 by K Teague

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

Too Many People Are Dying – African American Coalition of Indianapolis Statement on Recent Violence

Posted on February 5, 2020February 11, 2020 by K Teague

For Immediate Release – African American Coalition of Indianapolis Statement on Recent Violence
September 26, 2019

Indianapolis, IN – The African American Coalition of Indianapolis remains frustrated and concerned about the level of violence in our community. We have previously stated our position on this matter and have been engaged in the work involved to make our actions speak more than our words.

As this violence has continued throughout the city, we remain concerned about the inability to peacefully resolve conflicts displayed in recent and other acts of violence. We also recognize the role that family, friends and extended networks must play in policing ourselves. Both parental responsibility, personal accountability and increased community engagement is called for as we address this community challenge together. We do appreciate IMPD’s swift response to this tragedy and we encourage continued restraint in their engagement with unaccompanied minors. While we support law enforcement’s efforts to remove dangerous criminals from the community, we will continue to reject over-policing and racial profiling as responses to community violence. Further, we have shared not only our specific concerns but also proposed strategies on community violence and other issues with city leadership.

As part of our engagement with city leaders we have highlighted both the social inequities and the lack of policy engagement on issues impacting our community ranging from racial achievement gaps in education, untreated trauma due to exposure to violence, food deserts, unsafe housing conditions and other issues that create challenges for people of color to live a dignified life in this city. We offer no excuse but we recognize the realities of two cities, one that is safe and well-resourced and the other that is seemingly forgotten.

We remain committed to the following:

“Any vision for the future of this city must include addressing the consequences of under-investment in social infrastructure which has resulted in the persistence and even hardening of barriers to social mobility, the normalization of death, and the absence of public policy that speaks directly to our community.”

We also continue to affirm the following:

“The municipal elections cycle must be more than about potholes; they must also be about our social infrastructure and we will ?demand that all candidates speak to this problem. We will call on our philanthropic system to seriously address systemic issues dealing with poverty, systems of oppression, and racism. We will hold our business community responsible for being good corporate citizens through the conduct of their business, specifically hiring practices. We will support our youth.”

The problem of community violence continues to be an opportunity for every organization, family, individual, church to have a conversation about its responsibility to do something to engage in actions we know give hope, provide jobs, and support those who are grieving.

Finally, we will work to improve on ways to engage and support one another—a new social compact that resets expectations for engagement with each other as well as others.

Too many people are dying. We have not walked away from this challenge.

Indiana Black Expo

Indianapolis Urban League

Exchange at the Indianapolis Urban League

Indy Black Chamber of Commerce

Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Indianapolis Chapter

Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance

Baptist Minister’s Alliance

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Alpha Omega Indianapolis Alumni Chapter

The National Council of Negro Women, Indianapolis Section

Like No Other Foundation

Indianapolis Recorder

Lend your voice! Call your Senator today – TANF Bill Hearing

Posted on January 27, 2020 by K Teague

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!

Indianapolis Urban League Announces New Board Officers and Directors

Posted on January 24, 2020February 5, 2020 by K Teague

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.