Housing District 94 update for the week of 6/22
Happy Juneteenth
This Wednesday, we celebrated Juneteenth or Freedom Day. While the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the confederate states, slavery still existed in the Union states. And many African American in the confederate states remained enslaved even though they were free. Freedom Day marks the day when Union troops landed in Galveston, Texas to tell the enslaved African-Americans living there that the Civil War had ended and that they were now free.
While Juneteenth celebrates a critical milestone, it was only the beginning of the fight for true equality in this nation that lives on today.
To learn more, check out the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus newsletter.
Juneteenth Concert at the White House
I was honored to have been invited to the White House for the Juneteenth Concert celebrating community, culture and music. I had a wonderful time interacting with leaders from across the nation and hearing from the President and Vice President of the United States.
Before the concert, I has the opportunity to meet with White House staff for the Black State Leaders Briefing where we discussed the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Read Aloud Guest for Freedom Schools Program
Last week, I had the wonderful opportunity to join the IU Indianapolis Freedom Schools program as a “read aloud guest.” I got to read the book Grace Goes to Washington by Kelly DiPucchio, a tale about a young girl who goes to Washington D.C. to learn about the U.S. government with her student council.
The Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools program is a six-week summer literacy enrichment program for K-12 students. The program is designed to prevent reading loss over the summer, foster self-esteem, cultural awareness and increase children’s love of reading.
Where to find free meals for kids in Indianapolis this summer
Check out this article in Mirror Indy to learn more about where to find free meals for kids close to you this summer.
Schools, parks and community centers across the city are officer free meals as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2024 program. Students from ages 18 and under are welcome for free breakfast and lunch at any of the locations. Click here for an interactive map of locations from the USDA.
Indiana Justice Project eviction record sealing clinic
Friday July 19, the Indiana Justice Project is holding a free walk-in clinic to help seal eviction records. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Indianapolis Interchurch Center (1100 W. 42nd St, Krannert Hall, Indianapolis, IN 46208).
If you have faced eviction in the past, you should not repeatedly punished by carrying that around with you as you apply for housing. Whether you fell upon hard times and couldn’t keep up, or the eviction was unfair, you can apply to have that removed from your record. Learn more at the event tomorrow or visit indianajusticeproject.org.
Black & Minority Health Fair
Next weekend, Thursday 6/27 and Sunday 6/30, Johnson & Johnson and the Indiana Black Expo will be holding a free wellness fair. The event will start at 4 p.m. on Thursday and 6 p.m. on Sunday and takes place at the Indiana Convention Center (100 South Capitol St.). Don’t miss out on this great event which includes free health screenings, wellness resources and fitness activities.
Communities of color in Indianapolis face significant racial health disparities. In Marion County, Black residents have the highest level of health inequity when compared to other racial/ethnic groups. The upcoming event is dedicated to increasing health literacy and empowering communities of color with tools and support to advocate for their health. It will provide a platform to bring together leaders from local organizations and key health stakeholders to address health inequities, engage with community members and drive meaningful action in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Children’s Museum to host Mandela exhibit
From the end of June to January 2025, the Indianapolis Children’s Museum is hosting Mandela: The Official Exhibition. Nelson Mandela was an activist, lawyer and politician in South Africa from the 1950s to the 2010s. Mandela was the first president elected in a fully representative, democratic election and he was the first black head of state.
Nelson Mandela first achieved national attention as an anti-apartheid activist. Apartheid was South Africa’s system of institutionalized racial segregation. It was similar to Jim Crowe laws in the Southern United States. However, South Africa’s apartheid system lasted until 1994. Mandela was instrumental in tearing down this system of racism and inequality.
I encourage you to visit the Indianapolis Children’s Museum and see the exhibit dedicated to this famous freedom fighter. For more information, you can visit childrensmuseum.org/exhibits/mandela.
