Indianapolis has been listed as one of the highest crime-rated cities in the nation, according to a recent FBI report.
Last week, some of Indy’s top leaders met at Light of the World Christian Church on Michigan Road, to privately discuss a “Black Agenda” for the city.
More than 50 people showed up at the church. Top officials, from pastors and clergy to Black appointed and elected officials, gathered in an effort to agree to become one collective voice.
Although it’s not the first meeting of its kind, David Hampton, current pastor of Light of the World Christian Church and organizer of the agenda, is hoping this one will be different.
Joe Slash, president of the Indianapolis Urban League was among many leaders who attended and expressed optimism that the new agenda will work this time, in spite of failed attempts in the past.
“I think the time is good and there’s enough concern in the community that we need to motivate our leadership to develop a consensus on what we think is the best course of action in some key areas,” Slash said.
The focus of the meeting was to agree on ways to address some of the most pressing issues facing the African-American community in Indy: education, youth violence and poverty.
Youth violence, which was one of the top issues discussed at the meeting, is gaining momentum in the city and contributes to the overall increase in crime.
The report released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation states that Indianapolis is among the top cities in the U.S. with the highest number of reported violent crimes.
In 2011, there were a total of 96 murders in Indianapolis, which is more than Evansville, Fort Wayne and South Bend combined, and in 2012, the crime rate showed no sign of improvement. There were over 9,946 violent crimes committed in 2012, compared to 9,170 the year before.
“The issues really dictate to us our marching orders,” said Hampton. “I see a dire need right now. The fire is raging, but no one is sounding the alarm.”
Although the group, called the Black Leaders Caucus of Indianapolis, is still in its early stages, Hampton hopes to form it with long-term goals in mind in an effort to quickly galvanize around the issues at hand.
“In Indianapolis we don’t have that mechanism, because we’re operating in silos,” said Hampton.
Some observers in the Black community say another challenge is a lack of strong leadership in the city, which is necessary to get the agenda implemented.
Thomas Brown, retired pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, is among those who see the difference between leadership in the past and today.
He remembers an era when leaders, such as his father, Andrew J. Brown, and also Mozel Sanders, James Cummings and Rufus Kuykendall, provided the unified and visionary leadership needed to advance causes during the civil rights movement.
“The leadership was united because of segregation,” he said. “That leadership was strong not just with the churches, but it was also strong among our community officials and politicians.”
At the end of the civil rights movement, “we thought we had arrived, we thought we were free,” said Brown, referring to the loss of Black leadership.
Today, however, starting a movement that’s relevant to the current generation is what Brown says makes a strong agenda.
Terry Jett, associate professor of political science and department chair at Butler University, says African-Americans can no longer be the only vehicle to bring about change.
“My hope is that Hampton is able to reach across generations,” Jett said, “Some that can offer a different perspective.”
When looking for Black leadership, men have always been at the forefront of many movements, but women say they also have a voice and make great leaders.
“I can’t leave at the door that I’m a woman,” said Maggie Lewis, city-county council president. “It’s been a male dominant area. We haven’t broken enough glass ceilings for men to understand that we are here.”
Lewis said people have to do a better job at putting their differences aside to have those tough conversations.
“Imagine if we all stood together, that would make a tremendous impact, and somebody would have to listen,” added Hampton.
