AKA Day at the Indiana State Capitol 2022

AKADay at the Indiana State

Capitol 2022

Sonya L. Bowen Central Regional Director

table of contents page 2

agenda

pages 3

greetings from central regional director

page 4-5

greetings from indiana state legislators

page 6-17

greetings from indiana chapter presidents

pages 18-19

panelist biographies

pages 20-21 pink paper pages 22-25 entrepreneur showcase page 26-28

black women in indiana legislature

page 29

committee member acknowledgements

1

Agenda welcome

Meisha H. Wide Indiana State connection Coordinator

greetings sonya l. bowen

central regional director kimberley egonmwan, esq.

central region representative- international connection Committee

miriam hornbuckle grays president, alpha mu omega chapter rochelle leavell president, chi chi omega chapter

session 1

Panel discussion: economic opportunities in indiana Moderator: natasha L. harris

associate director of diversity for the college of science- purdue university

panelists: Kiahna w. davis - ceo, mYB accounting & consulting Marshawn Wolley- President and CEO of Black Onyx Management, Inc. eddie melton- indiana state senator, senate district 3

break

5 minutes

session 2

criminal justice reform carolyn jackson Indiana State Representative, house district 1

session 3

critical race theory Vanessa summers Indiana State Representative, house district 99 presentation of pink paper cassandra a. porter president & ceo- favorite part of my day

closing

sonya l. bowen central regional director

2

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® 5656 S. Stony Island Avenue * Chicago, Illinois 60637-1997 * 773 684-1282 * Fax 773 288-8251

OFFICE OF: Sonya L. Bowen Central Regional Director 22410 Millard Avenue Richton Park, IL 60471 Telephone: (708) 819-1908 Email: sbowen@aka1908.com

February 17, 2022 Good Day Sisters, Each year, members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. are encouraged to visit their respective state capitols in order to foster a deeper connection with political leaders and a broader understanding of local and state issues. As we watch the state of the country evolve, this is the time for us to watch carefully.

This year, our Indiana State Connection Coordinator was intentional in constructing a Day at the Capitol that speaks to what we stand for and who we are trying to help. We are having important conversations around the economic empowerment of the African American community moving out of the pandemic and the controversial Critical Race Theory. Indiana's General Assembly has been in session since the beginning of January and with a few short weeks left in the session, it cannot be disputed that our lives will be forever changed by the policies and legislation the Legislature put up this year.

As the Regional Director for the Charmed, Charismatic and Confident Central Region, I recognize that it is my duty to ensure that we are doing all we can as a region to inform and uplift our community. In 50 years, I do not want us to wonder where we were, instead I want us to look back and say that we did all we could. Our past was intentional in teaching us and our present is leading us right into the future we want and need.

I want you all to take what we learn from this event and use it to benefit our society. I have the utmost faith in all of you. I know you will lead confidently and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. way. Thank you for your advocacy.

In Sisterhood and Service,

Soror Sonya L. Bowen Central Regional Director

STATE OF INDIANA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THIRD FLOOR STATE HOUSE INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46204

VANESSA SUMMERS 1140 Brook Lane Indianapolis, IN 46202

_________________________________

COMMITTEES: FAMILY, CHILDREN AND HUMAN AFFAIRS, RMM PUBLIC POLICY

February 22, 2022 Salutations!

As members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., it is our absolute honor to welcome our sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. to the statehouse for Day at the Capitol.

We wish you a successful day of advocacy and learning. It is integral that we do what we can to make our world better. The Statewide Coordinator has put together a program looking at economic impact and the education of our youth.

We would like to thank Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. for all of your dedication to our community, we look forward to working together for the improvement of our community, and we wish you much success on your Day at the Capitol.

Yours in Service,

Carolyn B. Jackson State Representative House District 1

Vanessa Summers State Representative House District 99

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Chi Chi Omega Chapter

February 22, 2022 Greetings!

It is with great honor and conviction to support the 2022 AKA Day at the Capitol. We are a chapter ready and prepared to take action in our community. Our sorority’s founding mission states - ‘To study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social statures”. With this, we are called to address issues that impact Black women and create progressive ways to ensure that we are represented and leading the charge for equality and equity.

Black women have influenced every system, and industrial complex in the United States for the last 400+ years. It is an overwhelming fact that without the bravery, courage, ingenuity, and resiliency of Black women the United States would have never been able to compete as a world power. Shirley Chisholm once said, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair”. We have made seats where we have not been invited, and often underestimated. It is now time to evolve and create the table! We have a long history of being imitated, but never duplicated. When I look at our whole organization, we are a 114-year-old living, breathing, yielding timeline of a legacy of women that have dominated in every economic industry in the world, yet the only ones in this country that have been historically legislated against, from voting rights down to our hair styles.

As we have continued to support each other in societal uprising and political climate change, it has become apparent that the best way we can economically empower our local communities is our collective years of higher education, versatility in corporate America, and our own personal business experiences. WE ARE the untapped earmark of financial value and freedom for our communities. The enormous amount of structure, polish, and access to small business resources we have utilized in our respective fields holds an unquantifiable value. It is important we lobby for legislative change, but we don’t have to wait on legislative change. Providing financial and business literacy to help existing operations provides our community with an opportunity of an economic structure, and a chance of generational wealth to be redistributed within our communities. Freedom comes in many forms. Economic freedom is just one facet, institutional freedom is just as important.

It is also with urgency that we empower our community by providing healing to its people into self-efficacy. From the first slave patrols criminality has been misused, over abused, privatized and pervasive. All these designated truths have negatively and generationally impacted many communities to the point of a revolving door of 50% back into the criminal justice system. When an individual is incarcerated, their families are indirectly incarcerated.

The family becomes financially, emotionally, and mentally vulnerable and the effects are traumatic. Recidivism is often seen as a moral defect. History and statistics have taught us we cannot incarcerate ourselves out of criminality. We are the most incarcerated country in the world; yet often do not feel safer. Criminality is a desperate cry of untreated trauma. I challenge us to look at criminality as a mental health crisis that has gone medically and therapeutically untreated. We are not a society that is bad attempting to be good. We have people in our society that are sick trying to get well.

Take a stand today!

Sincerely, Rochelle Leavell Chi Chi Omega Chapter President

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Iota Chi Omega February 22, 2022 Greetings, The Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Iota Chi Omega Chapter, located in Fort Wayne, are honored to be part of the 2022 Indiana AKA Day at the Capitol. Our organization has identified the following issues that are impacting our fellow Hoosiers: •

Economic Opportunities in Indiana-We want to ensure that all communities have equitable access to funding and resources to be able to sustain a sufficient and livable wage for individuals and their families to thrive. This includes equitable access to education, financial resources that could lead to homeownership, and support that fosters growth for small businesses. We ask that you support initiatives that have a direct impact on wealth building for all families and their future generations.

•

Criminal Justice Reform-We have seen how situations in our criminal justice system across the country have affected certain demographics disproportionately, and because of this, it has caused lifelong traumatic outcomes.

According to the 2021 Annual Report of Juveniles Under Adult Court Jurisdiction published by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, nearly 85% of the juveniles directly filed to adult court were Black, and for those waived to adult court, 55% of the juveniles were Black. According to the latest U.S. Census data, Indiana’s Black or African American population is 9.9%. This is just one example of many of how the judicial system is disproportionately having a negative impact on our young people which we know has permanent consequences.

Therefore, we ask that you work to ensure that all those, regardless of background and resources, have an equitable and fair chance when they engage with any level of the criminal justice system. We ask that you focus on initiatives that foster prevention and reform for all residents.

•

House Bill 1134- Limiting a teacher’s ability to discuss issues regarding race as it pertains to history and present day, does a disservice to Indiana students and their future. Limiting those discussions would result in information being presented in an inaccurate depiction and negates the effects of how some may have or will be impacted. The classroom should continue to be a safe space for students where the standard and expectation is set for them to be accurately educated and foster an environment where they can have an open dialogue where students can learn from each other’s past and present experiences. The environment should create a shared humanity.

We are asking that you secure the classroom as an environment for our teachers to be able to teach in the professional manner that they have been educated and trained and be trusted to teach curriculum in an accurate manner.

Your support of these issues will send a powerful message to every Indiana resident that they are seen, heard, and validated. We appreciate those serving the state of Indiana and taking the time to discuss these important issues.

Best regards, Janae T. McCullough-Boyd Janae T. McCullough-Boyd, President Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Iota Chi Omega Chapter

P.O. Box 11136 ∙ Fort Wayne, Indiana 46856 ∙ E-mail: iotachiomega1908@gmail.com

Omicron Phi Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated

®

February 9, 2022 To the Members of the Indiana State Legislature: I bring you greetings in the name of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Omicron Phi Omega Chapter. My name is Kimberly Morris, and I am the current President of Omicron Phi Omega Chapter. We are college educated women serving the Kokomo, Indiana community.

A national initiative of the Sorority is to secure the economic futures of those within our communities. As you know, African Americans struggle to achieve economic equity in the United States. The racial disparities are evident when unemployment trends and wage differentials are examined. For example, the national unemployment rate for African Americans is almost double that of Caucasians (3.3% vs 6%)1. These unemployment trends place African American families at increased risk for poverty related stressors such as conflict, family violence, food insecurity and frequent residential mobility changes. 2 Employment status does not ensure economic sufficiency because racial differences continue to emerge. Among workers, the average income for African American workers ($45,870) is significantly lower than the average income for Caucasian workers (mean=$74,912)3. These trends highlight the need for Strategies that can lessen the financial burden on African American families as well as strategies that will bridge the economic gap that exists between African American and Caucasian workers. It is imperative that all peoples have equitable access to funding, and we ask that you support legislative actions that promote economic equity for all workers.

Sincerely, Kimberly Morris Resources: 1 https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/race-and-ethnicity/2019/home.htm 2 https://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/newsletter/2012/07/stress-mechanism 3 https://www.statista.com/statistics/233324/median-household-income-in-the-united-states-by-race-orethnic-group/

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Sigma Phi Omega Chapter February 14, 2022

Greetings Indiana Legislative Members: I am Dr. Lakesha T. Brown, President of Sigma Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. I bring greetings on behalf of my chapter.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the oldest Greek-letter service organization established by AfricanAmerican college-educated women. It was founded on January 15, 1908 at Howard University in Washington, DC, and in 2022, celebrates its 114th year of “serving all mankind” through our international program, Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service. Our programming centers on education, health, building strong families, environmental sustainability, and community concerns.

For today’s gathering, we are focused on Criminal Justice Reform and Violence Prevention. It is our hope to bring to the forefront: ➢ Correct sentencing disparities and reduce mass incarceration of nonviolent offenders by reducing the use of mandatory minimum sentencing. ➢ Ending the school-to-prison pipeline and ensure all students are able to learn in supportive academic environments. ➢ Reducing gun violence through proper funding of education programs, mental health screening and intervention, enactment of legislation to require proper background checks and ID. ➢ Appropriately fund protections for women through the Violence Against Women’s Act and similar legislative measures.

Mass incarceration rates are damaging families and denying opportunities for productive citizenship for some offenders. The current environment of mass incarceration, gun violence and overly aggressive disciplinary measures in schools present health and safety risks that call for legislative interventions and protections. We are requesting legislation that is brought forward that ensure fair treatment and justice under the law for minorities and women as well as improved relations between law enforcement and communities of color to create a safe society.

In closing, we appreciate the opportunity to address this distinguished body and will continue to advocate on matters that will ultimately improve the lives of residents in the State of Indiana and in the communities we serve worldwide. Thank you!

In Sisterhood & Service,

Dr. Lakesha T. Brown Dr. Lakesha T. Brown, President Sigma Phi Omega Chapter

P.O. Box 641142, Gary, IN 46401 E-mail: akasphio1990@gmail.com | www.sigmaphiomega1990.org

featured panelists kiahna w. davis ceo- myb accounting & consulting Kiahna W. Davis is a finance and operations professional, author, community activist, speaker, and philanthropist.

She has served on numerous non-profit boards and organizations including currently Indianapolis’ District Theatre, Center for Interfaith Cooperation, Institute of Management Accountants, and Leadership Indianapolis. She is the proud charter president of Chi Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a charter member of The Exchange at the Indianapolis Urban League.

She is currently the CEO of Mind Your Business Accounting and Consulting, where she specializes in finance, accounting, and tax strategies for her clients. Before pursuing her entrepreneurial dream, Kiahna served in CFO and COO capacities for two regional companies in Central Indiana.

Kiahna also has almost two decades of experience in the manufacturing and banking industries with companies such as Motorola, Textron/Hawker-Beechcraft, and Irwin Union Bank.

She earned her Bachelors of Science Degree from Indiana University, Bloomington in Finance and her Masters of Business Administration in Accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion.

marshawn wolley President & ceo- black onyx management, inc.

Marshawn Wolley, CDE, CFRE is President and CEO of Black Onyx Management, Inc. a management consultancy specializing in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion objectives within and external to for-profit, non-profit and government agencies. Trained as a stratification economist, Marshawn is also a certified diversity executive, certified fund raising executive, a certified community development block grant administrator and a Six Sigma Green Belt.

He holds an MBA from the IU Kelley School of Business and an MPA from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He has a Masters degree in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly School of Philanthropy and an MS in Economics from IUPUI. Before launching Black Onyx Management, Inc., Marshawn worked in government as an appointed official, in the private sector in both fundraising as well as community outreach, MWBE development and compliance as well as a lecturer where he taught courses on public management and managing workforce diversity, community development and criminal justice and diversity issues.

18 indicates member of alpha kappa alpha sorority, inc.

featured panelists eddie melton indiana state senator- senate district 3 Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, Eddie Melton understands the issues of everyday Hoosiers because he has lived them. From his experience working in social services, to a mentor to at risk youth, to a program director for a mental health agency, Eddie has given a voice to the voiceless.

Eddie Melton was elected as State Senator for Indiana’s 3rd District on November 8, 2016. Melton also mounted a historic Gubernatorial campaign in 2020. In the Indiana General Assembly, Senator Melton has led the charge to return his hometown of Gary, Indiana back to economic vibrance.

Senator Melton was recently elected by Indiana Senate Democrats as the Assistant Minority Leader, making him the youngest leader in the Indiana General Assembly. Melton currently serves as Ranking Minority Member on the Appropriations and State Budget Committee.

He is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and received a B.S. of Organizational Management from Calumet College of St. Joseph.

Eddie has spent his life working to give a voice to the voiceless.

19

Pink Paper Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: The importance of educating the future leaders of Indiana

introduction Presenting diverse perspectives builds important critical thinking skills in students.

Furthermore, telling the whole truth in education redeems our humanity.

critical race theory As we prepare our students to compete on a global stage academically, we must provide them with as much comprehensive information as possible. Very often, other nations know more about the history of the United States than American students do. Students have the ability to understand and navigate the messy parts of both literature and history when they have skilled adults supporting them throughout the process.

All learning happens in discomfort whether it’s learning to walk, learning Calculus or learning history. Without discomfort, there is no effective development of critical thinking skills nor any coping strategies when discomfort occurs. Black, Brown and Indigenous students have been uncomfortable in history classroom discussions when learning about oppression that happened to their ancestors. White students can be uncomfortable in history classroom discussions when learning about oppression that their ancestors may have perpetrated. The discomfort might also foster more research, for instance, what if their ancestors were the upstanders? What if they were abolitionists?

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a strategy used by graduate level students (primarily in law schools) to examine systemic outcomes. When looking at systems (ie. education, criminal justice, housing, health care are examples of “systems”), these students look at a holistic view of history, practices and policies to understand why outcomes in the systems exist the way they do. CRT is a complex examination of systems that is not used in any Indiana K-12 public educational entity.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are integral to the development of the most effective teams. The ability to work with those who have beliefs and ideas that are different than yours is a skill that should be developed in childhood. When diverse views aren’t permitted in the educational arena, students aren’t prepared to navigate such arenas in their professional careers. ​”According to Ernst and Young, a global consulting firm, inclusive organizations maximize the power of our differences and realize the full potential of all employees, leading to significant performance increases. Diverse perspectives, combined with an inclusive culture, drive better decision-making, stimulate innovation, minimize blind spots, and increase organizational agility.”

20

Pink Paper (cont) a kall to action There are currently bills being heard by the Senate that would cause undue harm to Indiana’s students and public school educators. While controversial bills such as HB1134 have been revised, if passed, they still threaten to censor educators and prevent students from accessing accurate accounts of our nation’s history. Classroom teachers should be trusted as professionals to provide students with an education that enables them to both learn from the past and build resilience as we work toward a brighter future. Even the newest version of HB 1134 is divisive and politicizes public education. The implications of banning the teaching of certain concepts in public schools are far reaching. As Alpha Kappa Alpha women, we must remain informed and contact our legislators to make our voices heard.

Conclusion When eye doctors perform examinations, patients are instructed to cover one eye and read the chart. Patients are able to see the chart with one eye; however, the more comprehensive and complete view of the eye chart happens when both eyes are unencumbered. The same is true for an examination of systems - it’s important to have a comprehensive and complete view of all aspects of these systems. The implications of banning the teaching of certain concepts in public schools are far reaching.

21

entrepreneur showcase Spotlighting Black, Women owned Businesses in indiana indianapolis

22

entrepreneur showcase Spotlighting Black, Women owned Businesses in indiana bloomington

evansville

fort wayne

23

entrepreneur showcase Spotlighting Black, Women owned Businesses in indiana gary

hammond

merrillville

24

entrepreneur showcase Spotlighting Black, Women owned Businesses in indiana schererville

south bend

25

black women indiana Legislators in

Vanessa Summers

state representative indiana house district 99

Carolyn B. Jackson

state representative indiana house district 1 chaplain-indiana black legislative caucus

indicates member of alpha kappa alpha sorority, inc.

26

black women indiana Legislators in

Robin Shackleford

state representative indiana house district 98 chair- indiana black legislative caucus

Renee Pack

state representative indiana house district 92 treasurer-indiana black legislative caucus

Jean D. Breaux

Indiana State senator senate district 34

27

black women indiana Legislators in

Cherrish Pryor state representative indiana house district 94

Ragen Hatcher State representative indiana house district 3

28

Day at the

aka Capitol sonya l. bowen

central regional director kimberley egonmwan, esq.

central region representative- international connection Committee

planning committee Meisha H. Wide Indiana State connection Coordinator alexandra j. hall co-chairman, chi chi omega chapter raeven d. ridgell co-chairman, chi chi omega chapter dr. nichole c. wilson alpha mu omega chapter cassandra a. porter chi chi omega chapter kamirah r. garner protocol chairman,chi chi omega chapter

chapter connection chairmen dr. sharron crowder Alpha mu omega chapter

jomare bowers-mizzell iota chi omega chapter

lonna owens Alpha eta omega chapter

jeanetta nelms kappa tau omega chapter

penny cochran gamma psi omega chapter

dondra ewing omicron phi omega chapter

Frankye calloway zeta zeta omega chapter

dr. sharron liggins sigma phi omega chapter

albertine dent eta kappa omega chapter

natasha l. harris chi phi omega chapter

myra l. butts eta mu omega chapter

Alexandra j. hall chi chi omega chapter

30

Program design by