2003 Chapter Accomplishments

 Coffee & Controversy Generates a Community Dialogue
The Indianapolis Chapter hosted "Coffee & Controversy," a member and community dialogue on Race Relations in the New Millennium, following a lecture on Jan. 24th by noted writer and educator Dr. Cornell West. Held at Dee Dee Strum’s home at the Holcombe Mansion, the meeting was facilitated by Roderick Bohannon, Esq., Executive Director of the Indianapolis
N.A.A.C.P., and Sandra Leek, Executive Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.

    Members Visit Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Seven Indy Chapter members traveled to the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama, Feb. 21-23 to the opening reception for artist and Indy chapter member Carol White. Her exhibition, titled "Beyond Borders and Across Oceans: Two Continents," featured Carol's art and the poetry of Dr. Henry Sawyerr. This is the culmination of a two-year project and reflects the influence of literary art on visual art, as she takes Dr. Sawyerr's poems and interprets them visually. On this visit, Indy Chapter had the opportunity to network with Birmingham Chapter members who also attended the reception.

    National Legislative Awareness Seminar
Several members of the chapter traveled to Washington, D.C. March 10-12 to attend the National Legislative Seminar sponsored by the NC100BW Public Policy Committee. Workshops and briefings from this seminar help the national organization shape its public policy agenda. Attending from the chapter were Ann Gray, Mary Harden, Cynthia Oda, Dorothy Oldham, and Dee Dee Strum.

    HIV/AIDS Prevention Partnership Established
In keeping with the national focus on prevention of HIV/AIDS, the Indy Chapter participated with five other organizations in a research study to explore ways of developing and expanding the services offered by local organizations to include effective, integrated, sustainable substance abuse and HIV prevention services for youth and other at-risk populations in African-American and other minority communities. The group held a Planning and Search Conference March 5-6, 2003, led by Cynthia Oda, to bring the leaders from various community stakeholders and other at-risk groups together into the HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention planning process. Jarnell Craig, Cynthia Oda, Dorothy Oldham, and Mary Harden traveled to Delavan, Wisconsin, to participate in a Prevention Partnership Faith-Based Conference and to help develop a proposal for HIV/AIDS Prevention programs in the Indianapolis area.

    Coffee & Conversation Looked at Spirit, Mind and Body
X-Pression Book Store was the site of Coffee & Conversation – In Full Bloom: Revitalizing the Body, Mind and Spirit on May 1st. Hosted by Jarnell Craig and the Personal & Professional Development Committee, the leader and facilitator was Dr. Jacqualyn Green, who took the participants through techniques for staying well in spirit, mind and body. To sweeten the journey, the committee provided coffee and “sweet potato tarts” as nourishment.

Breakthrough Women Honored
June 14, 2003, the Indianapolis Chapter presented our 16th annual Breakthrough Women Awards. Held at the historic Madame C.J. Walker Theater Centre and chaired by Ruby Harris and the Economic Development Committee, the program recognized those black women in the community who have broken through barriers and achieved a level of accomplishment far above that which is considered typical in her profession. Honorees this year were Iris Rosa Artis, Arts & Culture; State Representative Carolene Mays, Community Affairs; Stephanie Shelby Kirkland, Economic Development; Janice Brookins-Newton, Education; and Dr. Jacqualyn F. Green, Personal & Professional Development.

        SIDS Conference Targets First-Response Community
Continuing the national focus on reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, the Indianapolis Chapter hosted a SIDS Training and Education Program July 16th at the Indianapolis Convention Center as part of Indiana Black Expo. Sponsored by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the program featured Dr. Yvonne T. Maddox, NICHD Deputy Director, as keynote speaker.   This program was to educate childcare providers and first response professionals (police, EMT, fire fighters) with a goal of changing the behaviors of parents and caregivers as a step toward reducing the occurrence of SIDS. Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson and Director of Public Safety Robert Turner participated in the morning session, and Dr. Virginia A. Caine, Director of the Marion County Health Department (and Indy Chapter member) was luncheon speaker. To present this program at the local level, the chapter teamed with Congresswoman Julia Carson, Indiana Black Expo, and the Marion County Health Department. Grazelle Howard, National 1st Vice President, and Stacy Scott, In Black Print, were National resources for the program. Dee Dee Strum, Chapter 1st VP, chaired the event. Stacy Scott and the training staff from In Black Print conducted the workshops.

Prior to the Indianapolis event, members of the chapter traveled to Detroit, Michigan to participate in the national initiative hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in partnership with the NC100BW and the Women of the NAACP. Organized by Jarnell Craig, the group, which included Mary Harden, Dorothy Oldham, Ruby Harris, and Leah Ward, traveled with the AKA’s by charter bus to Detroit.

Indianapolis Museum of Art Partnership
The Indianapolis Museum of Art hosted a reception for the Indianapolis Chapter to introduce the fourth in a series of works purchased by the Coalition to expand the Museum's collection of works by African American artists. This piece is by Joseph Delaney and is an oil-on-canvas painting titled “Artist's Party.” Other works in the collection include a painting by the late Jacob Lawrence (Untitled-The Birth). Lawrence also permitted the Coalition to sell a limited number of signed and unsigned numbered prints as a fundraiser.   Also included in the Coalition collection is a sculpture, “Nappy Hair Blues,” by Allison Saar, and a painting, “In the Studio,” by William Majors. Members Mona Slaton and Carol White are on staff at the Museum.

        Saks Fifth Avenue Grand Opening
The Indianapolis Chapter participated with 13 other members of the Presidents Roundtable in the Saks Fifth Avenue Charity Grand Opening on Sept. 9th. The organizations received 10% of the sales for the day, which amounted to about $43,000 or $3,100 per organization.

        Gourmet Gents Takes Wings
The Indianapolis Chapter hosted our annual “Gourmet Gents” fundraiser Oct. 25th at the Vincennes University Aviation Technology Center hangar, with an overall theme of “The Sky’s the Limit.” Over 40 distinguished gents provided tastes of culinary delights for 400+ guests. Denise Herd served as event chair and Coalition members rallied to the call for support. Janice Lawrence-Stofer and her committee turned an airplane hangar into a classy garden scene…Ann Gray was truly an “angel” to the gents, with 42 participating gents and many more requesting to be considered for next year…Pam Allison and Dorothy Oldham managed invitations and accumulated ticket sales at a record high…Michelle Smith and Gina Bowles lassoed the Souvenir Book and with the help of Mona Slaton bringing in the Sponsors, produced a booklet to be proud of…Nadine Bonds and Mildred Ball made the Silent Auction a winner…and Marcia Bennett’s choice of The Choice Band was truly a choice act. In addition to working with decorations, Ruby Harris crafted the white aviator scarves that each Coalition member donned for the event.

        Spirit & Place Celebration
Nov. 8th the Indianapolis Chapter participated as a sponsoring organization in the 2003 “Spirit & Place Civic Festival. Spirit & Place generates and strengthens cultural assets by stimulating collaboration, building community, and inviting action for the common good. Our involvement celebrated 40 of the African Americans whose pictures appear on US Postage Stamps. The script, titled “They Left Their Stamp on America,” was written by Dr. Solomon Edwards and uses music, poetry, and narrations to entertain and educate. The cast consisted of members of the Crispus Attucks Class of 1950 of which Dr. Edwards is a member. Chapter President Mary Harden was a guest cast member, portraying Mary McCloud Bethune and Madame C. J. Walker – a fitting portrayal as Mary serves on the board of Directors of the Walker Theatre Center as representative for the Coalition.

        Hampton Sisters Benefit Concert
On Nov. 16th the Indianapolis Chapter joined with the Indiana Historical Society and former First Lady Judy O’Bannon to present a benefit concert for Aletra and Virtue Hampton of the legendary Hampton Sisters. Chapter members Mildred Ball, Jarnell Craig, Mary Harden, and Dee Dee Strum served on the Honorary Committee along with Mrs. O’Bannon. The goal was to raise funds to help the sisters, who are now in their 80’s, obtain more user-friendly housing. The tribute featured such legendary jazz musicians as Grammy Award winner Everett Greene, Jimmy Coe, Jack Gilfoy, Marvin Chandler, Frank Smith, Russell Webster, Keni Washington, David Young, Mary Moss, James Pratt, Mingo Jones, Carl Hines, granddaughter Charisse Hampton-Moses, Larry Clark, daughter Tamar Gray, Brother Maceo Hampton, Melvin Rhyne and Pookie Johnson. As a grand finale, Aletra and Virtue Hampton led a hand-clapping, foot-stomping jam session. A local builder, Dura Builders, has pledged to find a home for the sisters.

        Simon Evening of Giving
The Indianapolis Chapter will participate in an Evening of Giving sponsored by Simon Properties at Keystone at the Crossing Fashion Mall on Nov. 23rd. Proceeds from ticket sales to this shopping extravaganza will be used to support the Coalition Academy for Girls mentoring program.

        Tree Decorating at Ronald McDonald House
On Dec. 4th, the Indianapolis Chapter and members of the Coalition Academy for Girls will participate with Ronald McDonald House at Riley Hospital for Children to decorate a Christmas tree for residents of the facility. Ruby Harris is coordinating this effort and instructing the Academy girls in the fine art of ornament making.

        Indy Members Participate at National Level
For the second year, Dee Dee Strum served on the National Board of Directors. Mary Harden was elected to the National Nominating Committee, and also served as a member of the National Membership Committee and the National Program Committee. Rita Venable served on the National Public Policy Committee. Dee Dee Strum and Colleen Smith presented a workshop at the National Officers and Members Retreat in Las Vegas June 19-22. Toni Jones, Dorothy Oldham, Mary Harden, Cynthia Oda, and Rita Venable also attended that retreat. Mary Harden, Dorothy Oldham, and Detra Perry attended the National Biennial Conference held in Bal Harbor, Florida Oct. 9-12.

        Public Relations
The Indianapolis Business Journal published an in-depth article on the organization in the
May 12-18, 2003 issue, and the Breakthrough Women/Academy Recognition Program (June 20 issue) and Gourmet Gents (Oct. 31)received excellent coverage in the Indianapolis Recorder. Thanks to the diligent work of Detra Perry, new members were recognized in various media, including the Indianapolis Star, Recorder, and Business Journal.