Understanding Roots of Racism - Part 2: Housing - Recap and Resources

Aug 25

Thank you for joining United Way of Central Indiana at our second session of Understanding the Roots of Racism, an educational series on policies and practices of the past that have created barriers to service, resources and opportunities for Black Americans – many of which still exist today. We hope you found our second session on housing informative.

View the Recording Below:

Meet Our Panelists:

Robert W. Hawthorne, HCCP serves as the Executive Director of the Westside Community Development Corporation. In this role, he ensures high standards of organizational management in a changing environment while ensuring the continued development of affordable housing and neighborhood relations. He brings more than 30 years of non-profit leadership and project development experience.

Robert established the Martindale-Brightwood CDC in 1990, serving as its first Executive Director. There he led the development of several Low Income Housing Tax Credit projects as well new home construction, including the New Ralston Estate sub-division. As a leader, Robert acts as liaison between residents, community organization, city, state and federal government, banks and philanthropic providers. He is deeply committed to serving marginalized communities bringing a unique understanding of asset based community development.

Breanca Merritt is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Founding Director of the Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy (CRISP) at the IU Public Policy Institute. Her research examines how public policies and programs facilitate racially inequitable outcomes across areas of social policy, such as poverty reduction, housing, public safety, and social service provision, among others.

Vop Osili is President of the Indianapolis City-County Council, representing District 11, which covers a large portion of downtown Indianapolis and parts of the near west side, including the campus of IUPUI. Osili was elected President of City-County Council by a unanimous vote in 2018. He is currently Chairman of the Council’s Rules & Public Policy Committee and also serves on the Parks and Recreation Committee. Working with his fellow public servants on both sides of the aisle, President Osili is committed to addressing the important issues – equity, fair and affordable housing, homelessness, reentry, police/community engagement, inclusive urban development – impacting the daily lives of Indianapolis citizens.

Wildstyle also known as Keith Paschall is a former auto mechanic turned project manager & Roving Illustrator (visual artist) for the Learning Tree who uses pictures and videos to tell story of community and human development. He also is heavily involved in the Indianapolis hip-hop scene as a producer, photographer, and manager. Whether dealing with the hip-hop community or the community at his job, he works every day to make the invisible, visible.