When one thinks of the term “leader” oftentimes stereotypical visions of authoritative men and women in dark-colored suits with their arms folded and a furrowed brow to accentuate their “I mean business” look come to mind. Other thoughts may include someone at the helm of a company or organization who is highly credentialed and skilled.
Leadership Indianapolis has another idea of leadership – you.
“I bet you’re doing something. You volunteer at school, serve as a role model to kids in your neighborhood or help take care of the neighbor down the street who’s having a hard time. That’s civic leadership – a group of people coming together to address a need,” said Linda Kirby, president and CEO of Leadership Indianapolis. “Everybody has the capacity to be a leader and our community is only as good as those people who step up and bring their voice to the table.”
As a nonprofit organization that aims to develop and mobilize a robust pipeline of community leaders that can address and solve the issues and opportunities facing the city today and in the future, Leadership Indianapolis is taking its mission further by partnering with the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper to increase minority participation in its various programs and events.
“If we’re in the business of building the pipeline of community leaders, that pipeline should look like, sound like, and feel like the community. We’re really focused on making sure all of the parts of our community can participate in the civic leadership offerings we have. The (minority) perspective is critical to the growth of our community,” said Kirby.
Shannon Williams, president and general manager of the Recorder explains the newspaper’s role in the partnership.
“Through our partnership with Leadership Indianapolis the Recorder will provide scholarships for four minorities each year to participate in two of Leadership Indianapolis’ signature programs, Opportunity Indianapolis and LEAD,” said Williams who is also an alumna of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series (SKL), one of Leadership Indianapolis’ programs. “We are doing this to ensure there is minority representation in these programs to help Indianapolis grow, and that it does so in all areas including diversity. This is a great way to ensure minorities are given a chance and will actually have a seat at the table.”
Minorities of various professional backgrounds, career levels, time spent living in Indy, and even ages are welcome.
One of Leadership Indianapolis’ most distinguished programs is SKL. As participants of SKL, established and emerging community leaders have the opportunity to become more informed about the issues and needs facing Central Indiana, more motivated to get involved in addressing those issues, more connected and more effective in their service to the community.
The class meets monthly for eight consecutive months. Topics range from education, government, health and human services to the justice system, diversity, quality of life, economic development and more.
Steven Jones, vice president of human resources for the academic health center and system services at Indiana University Health, and a member of SKL’s XXXII class said the program was a great opportunity. As a native of Indianapolis, participating in SKL provided him a different perspective and a behind-the-scenes glance at what has made the city so successful.
He also found the program personally and professionally rewarding. He’s forged strong friendships with his fellow classmates and the program has made him a better leader and a more focused visionary.
As an African-American who has benefited from Leadership Indianapolis’ SKL series, he’s happy others get that opportunity as well.
“I think the partnership between Leadership Indianapolis and the Recorder allows for a new generation of potential leaders to be exposed to opportunities that exist within the city that maybe without SKL or (their other programs) they may not have,” said Jones.
LEAD, a skills-based program, is another opportunity that helps one develop collaborative leadership skills essential to successful community work.
Leadership Indianapolis also offers a program titled Opportunity Indianapolis. This two-day program offers a backstage tour of Indianapolis. Through Opportunity Indianapolis, participants get the chance to explore the city, while learning about community issues from discussions with city leaders.
Arguably the most important aspect of Opportunity Indianapolis is that participants get informed and inspired to take action in sectors of the community they’re passionate about.
Mandla Moyo, community outreach director at AARP, recently participated in Opportunity Indianapolis, and walked away with a deeper appreciation for the community and discovered ways residents can be engaged. Moyo also learned about issues the entire community benefits from, such as the economic development in downtown Indianapolis.
“This is a way to both plug into the community and develop my leadership talents. I also enjoyed learning about the city and discovering how I could better serve Indianapolis,” said Moyo.
He said the two-day program also gave him a better understanding of the role of nonprofits and the hidden treasures the city has that need to be highlighted.
In addition to programs, Leadership Indianapolis also offers events such as Get on Board, a one-stop-shop for qualified, passionate individuals looking for a board service opportunity with various nonprofit organizations; Board Chair Summit, an opportunity for board leaders to learn new strategies, share challenges and success stories and to help transform the Central Indiana nonprofit landscape; and Second Tuesday Straight Talk, a speakers series that takes a candid look into pressing community issues.
As a leadership luminary, Kirby is proud to offer programs and events that foster civic and professional engagement and is happy her team can collaborate with the Indianapolis Recorder to build minority civic leadership.
“Two entities have come together to say ‘lets broaden the civic leadership platform and be really intentional about welcoming a higher level of diversity,’” said Kirby. “We’re working to help people see the benefit of serving the community. It’s thrilling to help people make those connections.”
