What are the Indy Black Agendas?
About Indy Black Agendas
Indy Black Agendas is an effort to support transparency, accountability and education on the various agendas designed to improve the quality of life for Black Indianapolis. Black Indianapolis, by population could be the third largest city in Indiana. We recognize that there are many different perspectives and proposed solutions and even philosophies on progress for Black Indianapolis.
We also recognize that Black agendas in Indianapolis have been happening in this community for some time. We stand on the shoulders of those who have developed plans for Black progress over time. We were intentional in seeking out those who had participated in Black agenda development in the 2000’s as part of the more recent efforts of the African American Coalition of Indianapolis’ Black agenda development.
We document the African American Coalition of Indianapolis Community Concerns and Recommendations efforts here for accountability and informational purposes, while recognizing there are others doing work contemporary to our own that would contribute to the development of a Black agenda. There are many different agendas for the Black Indianapolis community.
This website will be a living document meant to evolve as the conversation around Black agendas evolve within our community. Black Onyx Management, a black owned applied research and management consultancy has taken on the management of the site for the benefit of the community.
Marshawn Wolley
President and CEO
Black Onyx Management, Inc.
What is a Black Agenda?
At its core, a Black Agenda is a plan developed by the Black community for the Black community’s benefit. There are many different ways of formulating a Black agenda. Some communities provide a list of demands, while other articulate a philosophical approach to governance. We chose a problems-solutions approach informed by data specific to key areas of concern. We have learned that there is an interest in developing SMART goals for Black agenda objectives.
Why Black Agendas?
We recognize that the AACI effort is one view of the appropriate set of priorities and proposed solutions that could benefit Black Indianapolis. While we have engaged in robust listening effort and have remained open to adding onto the AACI version of a Black agenda, there are others who have their own efforts underway. We respect it. No race or ethnic group should be expected to agree on everything. The Black community is not monolithic in its views on progress or anything else. We have achieved a consensus amongst a significant collection of stakeholders but there is no one Black agenda in Indianapolis.
Why do we need Black agendas?
Given the challenges and disparities faced by Black Indianapolis residents, it is the responsibility of leaders to develop plans to address these challenges. Black leaders should be held accountable for their ability to identify problems but more importantly develop, pursue, and achieve progress on problems. Having an agenda signal to the larger community the set of priorities that matter to Black Indianapolis at any given time and invites collaborative relationships to produce solutions.