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The NC100BW Indy Chapter History
The NCBW was founded nationally in New York in 1981. Currently the organization has thousands of members in 25 states and the District of Columbia. Indianapolis Attorney Fay Williams was the founding voice behind the local chapter. Early on she engaged in conversations with Jewell Jackson McCabe, the first National President, about starting a chapter in this city. In the fall of 1981 Jatrice Gaiter and Florence Woods traveled to New York to gather information needed to form a chapter in Indianapolis. Upon their return they shared information with Patricia Turner-Smith, Doris Parker and others who became very excited about the concept of creating a dynamic network of African-American women in this community. Two months later, 20+ women were invited to Fay Williams’s home to further discuss the concept. From the founder, to the conveners, to the steering committee, the Indianapolis Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women was born. The first installation of officers was at the Columbia Club in the fall of 1982; with Jatrice Gaiter as the first Chapter President.
The NCBW is organized into five major program areas of interest: Arts and Culture; Community Affairs; Economic Development; Education; and Personal and Professional Development. Projects over the years have included role model and mentoring programs with Spellman University, the Teen Pregnancy Outreach Project, the Black Infant Mortality Task Force project, support of the United Negro College Fund, the minority intern program of the United Way of Central Indiana, the Center for Leadership Development, the Creative Writing Workshop at the Children’s Museum, support of Habitat for Humanity, the women’s shelter at Coburn Place, annual personal and professional development retreats, health care symposiums and wellness fairs, financial planning and economic development seminars, the 13-part community affairs television series Viewpoint, lecture and autograph series featuring nationally-recognized musicians, artists and writers, premier cinema events, a woman’s forum, a black women’s entrepreneurial expo, the annual Breakthrough Women recognition program, community workshops, political candidates forums, education programs on prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and HIV/AIDS, and more.
Throughout its history the local chapter has excelled in living the motto of "building partnerships through creative alliances" through project partnerships with various community and corporate entities. The two signature fundraising events for the organization over the years have been the Cabaret and Gourmet Gents. In 1992 and 1993, the organization partnered with the 100 Black Men in its first and second annual Indy 100 Roundball Tournaments, a fundraising project in support of mentoring young African-American males. In 1995, the NCBW was part of Indiana history along with the Junior League of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Chapter of the Links in welcoming Nordstrom to Circle Centre Mall with a gala fundraiser event. More than $250,000 was raised—Nordstrom donated a portion of those proceeds to the three organizations in support of projects that "supported families and sustained communities." In 2003, the NCBW completed a five-year fund-raising partnership with the Indianapolis Museum of Art in support of their acquisition of works by African-American artist. This project has resulted in the acquisition of a significant piece by famed artist Jacob Lawrence (The Birth), as well as a sculpture by Allison Saar (Nappy Hair Blues) and paintings by William Majors (In the Studio) and Joseph Delaney (Artist’s Party).
In addition to support of the NCBW and community initiatives such as those mentioned above, fund development over the years has underwritten the creation and support of the Coalition Academy for Girls. The Academy was initiated in 1994 by the NCBW as a mentoring project for high school girls. Over the past several years, the Academy has expanded its programming reach with additional support from the Ronald McDonald House Charities and McDonalds Corporation. Additional strategic alliances include partnerships with Hoosier Capital Girl Scouts, Studio 2B, Arlington High School, The Civic Center, and Indiana Black Expo.
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