What’s going on at Martin University?
Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard from members of the Martin University community and the general community about strange goings on — including the most pernicious buzz: that Martin’s founder and president emeritus has been discouraged from coming on campus.
But then, I experienced something strange myself.
May 18th, I hosted a university fundraiser, which according to officials raised nearly $400,000.
Yet, four days later, scores of employees — faculty and staff — were laid off. I’ve never heard of a non-profit holding a major, apparently successful fundraiser, then dismissing staff days later.
I understand that change is difficult; that there’s trauma and drama when an organization’s founder turns the reins to someone else. But the buzz I’m hearing about Martin University is disturbing.
Long time employees canned with no warning or reason. Long time supporters shunned. Existing employees badgered and humiliated by top leadership are fearful for their jobs.
Hourly employees working overtime without overtime pay or compensatory time or told to buy tickets to a fundraising dinner and if they didn’t, their paychecks would be docked. (Both illegal under federal and state laws.)
A respected community leader and elected official visited Martin recently and greeted a fellow elected official and long time Martin employee.
That employee, an elected official mind you, was summoned to the president’s office like an errant child and dressed down for having the temerity to speak to a fellow elected colleague.
Incidents like that and others I’ve received in phone calls and e-mails have deeply disturbed me. Some of what I’m hearing may be from disgruntled employees, or those discomfited by change. But in 34 years here, behind the smoke of buzz there’s usually a fire. And something’s burning and causing a foul odor at Martin University.
Martin’s Board of Directors had better get their hands around this situation — fast. Before the university they and we all love is torn to ribbons.
What I’m hearing in the streets
Twenty-two years ago, Indianapolis embarked on an ambitious endeavor — hosting the 1987 Pan-American Games. They said Indianapolis couldn’t host an event that big and complex, but we did and turned a slight profit.
The biggest benefit of the Pan Am Games was its multi-racial leadership structure beginning at the top — President Mark Miles (white) and Vice President Pat Turner-Smith (Black) — and all down the line. The Pan Am Games nurtured a generation of Black, white and Hispanic civic leaders who hold leadership positions today.
The same Mark Miles headed Indy’s winning Super Bowl effort. But the big question is will the effort replicate Pan Am’s multi-racial leadership model? Or will it be an organization with monochromatic leadership at the top and little diversity at the bottom — with no effort to include and nurture the Black, Hispanic and white leaders of tomorrow?
In 2010, Indianapolis will be 30 percent African-American. Will the Indy’s Super Bowl organization reflect that demographic fact, from its leadership structure, to minority participation in volunteerism and business opportunities?
How the city, region and state’s largest African-American community is engaged and involved will define Indianapolis’ race relations for decades.
Indy’s Super Bowl leadership blew an opportunity to build positive relationships with our Black community when, unlike Indy’s three sports radio stations, our WTLC-AM (1310) “Afternoons with Amos” program broadcast live from the city’s official victory rally last Wednesday at Harshman Middle School.
Except for Miles, others involved fled from a chance to extend a positive hand to our community.
Not an auspicious start.
Also, at the rally, Mayor Ballard pointedly ignored Mayor Bart Peterson’s contribution to getting the Super Bowl. Ballard also ignored former mayors Steve Goldsmith and Bill Hudnut’s contributions to building up downtown, and ignored African-American and overall Indianapolis icon Dr. Frank Lloyd’s efforts at building Indianapolis’ vibrant downtown. They are part of this city’s historic traditions and are civic builders.
Election facts you didn’t read in other media.
African-American voters in Indianapolis were evenly divided between Jim Shellinger and Jill Long Thompson. Shellinger got 51.4 percent of votes from Marion County Black-majority wards and precincts compared to 48.6 percent for winner Long Thompson. With pre-election polling showing Long Thompson favored by Blacks, with many undecided, its obvious undecided Blacks broke for Shellinger at the end. But his 1,764-vote margin in Black-majority precincts here wasn’t enough of a winning margin.
Black-majority precincts did provide the winning margins for Congressman Andre Carson’s victory. Some 64.3 percent of Carson’s overall vote came from Black-majority precincts beating Dr. Woodrow Myers by 29,782 votes, out of total victory margin of 32,989.
In total votes in the congressional race, Carson did best in his Center Township base, which provided 24.8 percent of his total vote, followed by Washington Township (18.1 percent), Lawrence (14 percent) and Pike (13.8 percent).
State Rep. Carolene Mays’ Pike Township base delivered 22.9 percent of her total vote, followed by Washington Township (18.3 percent), Center (15.9 percent) and Warren (13.3 percent).
Washington Township was Myers’ best area producing 21.4 percent of his total vote, then Center (18.3 percent), Warren (15.6 percent) and Pike (12.3 percent).
David Orentlicher’s Washington Township base delivered a stunning 32 percent of his total vote. But Orentlicher was far weaker in other townships, Center (17 percent Warren (13.6 percent) and Wayne (9.5 percent).
Last week, this column reported that just 16 African-American IMPD officers hold command rank of lieutenant or above, or 11.7 percent of all IMPD command rank officers.
How does that compare to racial diversity in the leadership of the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD), recently expanded to include the Warren and Washington township fire departments?
IFD promptly supplied the answer.
There are 28 Black IFD lieutenants out of 167, or 16.8 percent; 10 Black IFD captains out of 65, or 15.4 percent; nine Black IFD battalion chiefs out of 35, or 25.7 percent.
Out of our entire fire department, 47 African-Americans out of 267 hold command rank, or 17.6 percent. A far better percentage than IMPD’s anemic 11.7 percent.
So, if the fire department, controlled by the same mayor and public safety director as the police department has a better racial diversity leadership record why can’t our police department? Can Mayor Ballard’s silent Sphinxes answer that?
See ‘ya next week.
Amos Brown’s opinions are not necessarily those of the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. You can contact him at (317) 221-0915 or by e-mail at ACBROWN@AOL.COM.
