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A6 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2025 INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER(317) 924-5143P.O. Box 18499, Indianapolis, IN 46218-0499newsroom@indyrecorder.comIndianapolis Recorder Newspaper encourages short, concise letters to the editor and opinion articles from the public. Letters and opinion articles will be used at the editor%u2019s discretion and are subject to editing. We will not guarantee publication of material received. We cannot guarantee dates of publication. Letters containing libelous or untrue statements will not be published. All letters and opinion articles must include a verifiable full name, address and telephone number. This information will not be published at the request of the writer. Letters and articles should be typed but will be accepted if handwriting is legible.George P. StewartFounder-EditorPublisher1895-1924Marcus C. Stewart Sr.Editor-Publisher1925-1988Eunice TrotterEditor-in-ChiefPublisher1988-1990William G. MaysOwner/ Publisher1990-presentPresident/Chief Executive Officer................................................................................................Robert ShegogEDITORIALEditor-in-Chief.................................Camike Jones Technology Editor......................Rupal Thanawala Arts & Culture Reporter.................Chloe McGowanMulti-Media & Sports Reporter.........Noral ParhamHealth & Environmental Reporter.............................................................................Hanna RauworthBUSINESSBusiness Office/Legals..................CrystalDalton ADVERTISING/MARKETINGSenior Strategic Media Consultant......Rita J. Wise Sales Representative...................Michael FalkerPRODUCTIONProduction Manager..........................................................................................Jeana M. Lewis OuattaraEDITORIALBy LYNELL COOPER More than 16 million people in the U.S. suffer from intimate partner abuse each year, according to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS). In 2024, Indiana was the only state rated an %u201cF%u201d for its resources and protections for survivors of intimate partner violence. Ninety-five percent of shelter requests went unmet, and the state still lacks firearm protection laws for abusers. One of the oldest questions survivors face is, %u201cWhy didn%u2019t they just leave?%u201d As a survivor, professor of social work, and licensed clinical therapist, my response is usually %u201cAnd go where?%u201d or %u201cAnd feel protected where?%u201d Institutions %u2014 including law enforcement, community organizations, places of worship and even families %u2014 must take inventory of who%u2019s failing in this narrative. Intimate partner violence, also known as domestic violence, is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault or other abusive behavior used in a systematic pattern of power and control by one partner against another, as defined by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). In Indiana, domestic violence %u2014 including stalking %u2014 affects one in two women and one in four men. Members of LGBTQ+ populations are two to four times more likely to experience abuse. The likelihood of leaving safely is closely tied to shame, stigma, alienation from support groups, and lack of education and resources. Survivors often hide escalating abuse for fear of judgment or humiliation. The threat of cyberattacks, public outing, or reputational damage makes even a single social media post feel like a viral nightmare %u2014 whether it%u2019s seen by thousands or just a few. In some cultures, violence is minimized or excused, especially jealousy or verbal and emotional abuse. Whether it%u2019s the church ministry leader, a teacher, a trusted neighbor, or a conversation at the elders%u2019 kitchen table, everyone has a responsibility to remove roadblocks to help. Housing disparities and limited government resources are not the only challenges. A paradigm shift is needed to confront harmful narratives such as %u201cwhat happens at home stays at home,%u201d %u201cwe don%u2019t believe in therapy,%u201d or gossiping about problems instead of building solutions. Domestic violence prevention and intervention is not just an individual effort. It is a family response, a community response, and a church response. When rooted in safety, accountability, and resources, this shift can lead to more survivors finding support %u2014 whether that means preserving family and implementing change that creates rehabilitation and safety or leaving without losing their lives. Lynell Cooper is a survivor, licensed clinical therapist, professor of social work, and doctoral student. She focuses on family preservation and addressing systems of oppression in Indianapolis. Contact her at lcooper@uindy.edu and on LinkedIn @lwcooperlcsw. By BARATO BRITTTurbulent times demand leadership that is steady, resolute and faithful to the calling that compels others to follow. This is an undeniable truth, whether in civic, corporate, or other societal relations, or in the home. Among the faith community, seldom has the hunger for such leadership been so acute. At a time when faith is tested in ways that defy conventional wisdom, those responsible with guiding believers are in short supply. However, for the past 35 years this need has been irrelevant for the membership of New Era Church. Since accepting the call to shepherd the Northside New Era Baptist Church in 1990, Lead Pastor, Rev. Dr. Clarence Moore and First Lady Hope Moore have stewarded souls in a manner that not only revitalized the church, but has extended to the broader community via their intentional focus on revitalization and social justice as a ministry mandate. Over their tenure, the church%u2019s membership has exploded. In fact, the church grew from 60 members when Clarence Moore was installed in 1990 to nearly 2,000 members and counting. Throughout the years, they have stewarded the church family in times of celebration and grief, all the while cultivating an environment of worship, study and service. Though their decision to leave the mantle of leadership comes at a time of unprecedented uncertainty, they recognize that the need to transition the institution to a new chapter is equally ordained. %u201cAfter much prayer, reflection and consultation with our family, First Lady Hope and I believe the time has come for us to transition into a new season of life and ministry,%u201d Clarence Moore wrote in a letter to the congregation, sharing their decision. %u201cServing as Pastor and First Lady for the past 35 years has been one of the greatest privileges and blessings of our lives. Together, we have journeyed through seasons of growth, change and transformation. Through it all, we have been united by our love for God and our commitment to living out His Word in our lives, the Church, and the community.%u201dAs a result of their extensive service, they now boast a multitude of faith, community and economic development achievements from which the church will build. These achievements are rooted in the institution%u2019s expressed charge to %u201cevangelize the lost, edify the saved, minister to those in need and be a conscience in the community.%u201dIn terms of community presence, that conscience manifests in significant place-based efforts, particularly involving youth. During the era they affectionately refer to as their %u201cprime years,%u201d New Era%u2019s established community development footprint enabled comprehensive Out of School Time support to youth via the establishment of Operation More Hope (OMH). The after-school program served students in partnership with Indianapolis Public School (IPS) 42, IPS and the Edna Martin Christian Center. A dream the First Lady envisioned as the church%u2019s neighborhood footprint expanded, the program afforded a rigorous, high-quality Out-of-School Time option for a historically significant neighborhood school, under the Indiana Department of Education%u2019s 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. %u201cThe mission of OMH was to close learning gaps and provide students with the tools to be successful and was developed from Dr. Martin Luther King%u2019s idea, %u2018Intelligence plus character- that is the goal of true education,%u2019%u201d the Hope Moore said. Throughout the month of October, the New Era Church Family will commemorate the successful completion of a journey embarked upon more than three decades ago. The activities will culminate the weekend of Oct. 25th, with a gala and community-facing worship service in recognition of their global footprint. True servant leadership is exemplified not by what is honored, but rather by what endures. In these times, the tug for demonstrated faith warriors to remain looms large as the current social climate lacks leaders with the truest conviction. Still, for these true stewards, the successful completion of their collective task is all a grateful community can ask. %u201cIt has been a tremendous blessing to serve both the congregation and the surrounding community these 35 years,%u201d Clarence Moore reflected.New Era Church welcomes all as part of this celebration of service, Additional information can be found via the church%u2019s website, www.nne.org. Barato Britt is President/CEO of the Edna Martin Christian Center and a member of New Era Church. A new chapter for New Era Church%u2018And go where?%u2019 The reality of leaving domestic violenceBy KIA WRIGHTFor generations, golf wasn%u2019t just a sport %u2014 it was a gatekeeper. Behind manicured greens and quiet clubhouses, unspoken rules kept out anyone who didn%u2019t fit a narrow mold. The PGA maintained a %u201cCaucasian-only%u201d clause until 1961, and while public courses eventually opened to more diverse players, the culture of the sport continued to signal who belonged and who didn%u2019t.Even today, representation lags. Black and Brown golfers make up only about 5% of on-course golfers in the U.S., despite representing more than 13% of the population. And in cities like Indianapolis, the barriers aren%u2019t just about access to a tee time %u2014 they%u2019re about the cost of equipment, a lack of transportation, cultural familiarity, and the absence of visible role models on the green.That%u2019s why the VOICES Golf, Art & Hip Hop Outing is different. It%u2019s not just about raising money %u2014 it%u2019s about rewriting the narrative of who gets to play.Step onto our course and you%u2019ll see the difference immediately. You%u2019ll hear a live DJ sending beats across the fairways, watch local artists create vibrant works in real time. There%u2019s a bourbon bar waiting after the ninth hole, and a sense of community that doesn%u2019t fade when the scorecards are turned in. The traditions of the sport remain, the rules, the etiquette, but they%u2019re surrounded by rhythm, art, and culture that reflect the heartbeat of Indianapolis.For so many in our community, golf has never felt like an invitation. We want to change that. We want people to walk in, feel the music, see the art, and realize this is their space too.But opening the door is only the first step. VOICES also ensures that once people enter, they feel at home. That%u2019s why we incorporate opportunities for youth to learn golf etiquette %u2014 skills like sportsmanship, patience, and strategic thinking that translate directly into professional and social settings.We don%u2019t just want to hand someone a set of clubs and say, %u2018Go for it,%u2019 we want to give them the tools, the confidence, and the understanding that lets them move with ease in any room %u2014 whether that%u2019s a boardroom, a community meeting, or a golf course.Through leadership programs like Power & Promise, we%u2019ve seen what happens when exposure is paired with preparation. More than 87% of participants report a stronger sense of self, and over 92% say they feel confident pursuing their goals. These skills are critical when entering environments that have historically been closed to them%u2014not just to gain access, but to thrive once inside.This outing isn%u2019t just an event; it%u2019s an act of cultural reclamation. It%u2019s proof that traditions can evolve, and that by blending the old with the new, we can create spaces where everyone feels like they belong.On Oct. 5 at Eagle Creek Golf Club, we invite you to join us. Play a round. Listen to the music. Watch the art unfold. Bid at the silent auction. Most importantly, be part of an experience that tells our youth: you are welcome everywhere, and you have a right to lead wherever you go.Registration is now open for the VOICES 4th Annual Golf Outing: A Golf, Art & Hip-Hop Event.Kia Wright is the co-founder and executive director of VOICES Corporation, a Black-led, Indianapolisbased nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth and families.Culture on the course: Redefining golf and who gets to play