IBJ names Justin Christian its first entrepreneur of the year honoree
IBJ has named the new award after Mickey Maurer, who launched, owned and invested in several impactful companies in Indiana, including IBJ Media.
Diversity
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Out on Mass bar planned as ‘meeting point’ for LGBTQ+ community
A Kinsey Institute researcher and an Indiana University School of Medicine faculty member are part of the Out on Mass ownership group.
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Women’s share of exec jobs falls for first time in years, study finds
The stalling of women’s progress in the upper echelons of corporate America is “troubling,” said Ellen Kossek, professor of management at Purdue University. “We’re moving backward,” she said.
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Newly formed Indy Black Heritage & Legacy Trail plans walking tours for 2025
Heritage markers are planned in the neighborhoods of Haughville, Babe Denny, Norwood, Martindale and areas west and northwest of downtown.
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Indiana State Museum, Newfields acquire art at Butter, where sales top $285K
Butter, an event that requires no fees paid by artists and collects no commissions on sales, displayed work by 49 Black artists.
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Articles
Black legislative caucus plans town halls statewide
The 13-member caucus billed the six events as opportunities for Hoosiers to learn more about legislation passed in the most recent session and to “provide feedback and input” ahead of next year’s budget-writing session.
LISC programs aim to boost Black businesses
The programs are intended to help central Indiana Black business owners combat long-standing challenges in securing bank loans.
Vop Osili: Indianapolis’ strength lies in diversity of its people
Attracting and retaining entrepreneurs becomes possible with every measure we take to enhance our culture and identity as a city.
Housing affordability near record low hits Black buyers particularly hard
Almost half of Black home buyers in 2022 were first-time buyers, and newcomers haven’t benefited from the rising home equity that could help defray swelling sale prices and lending costs.
As legal challenges mount, some companies retool diversity, inclusion programs
Most major companies have so far stuck by diversity initiatives, which many ramped up in the face of pressure from some shareholders, employees and customers. But some have made changes to try to protect them from legal scrutiny.
Indiana 250: Jimmie McMillian
Jimmie McMillian serves as chief diversity officer and senior corporate counsel at Penske Entertainment Corp., which includes IndyCar, IMS Productions and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Wall Street tapping women, minority-owned banks for billion-dollar bond deals
After being relegated to bit parts for decades, women- and minority-owned investment banks are slowly stepping into larger roles as corporations push their go-to banking partners to team up with diverse firms.
Alliance aims for equitable placement of EV chargers
A group of Black civil rights organizations is amping up its call for racial equity to be taken into account as state and city leaders decide where to place chargers needed to support the growing number of electric vehicles.
SBA program upended in wake of Supreme Court affirmative action ruling
Thousands of Black, Latino and other minority business owners are scrambling to prove that their race puts them at a “social disadvantage” after a federal judge declared a key provision of a popular Small Business Administration program unconstitutional.
IBJ Podcast: Brothers behind tech firm Qualifi on being Black founders, raising capital, ‘unwillingness to die’
Darrian and Devyn Mikell discuss the inspiration they’ve received from their family (including an older brother with a Pro Bowl career in the NFL); how they handle the rollercoaster of startup life; obstacles that Black entrepreneurs face; and the importance of a diverse staff.
Republican councilors oppose Hogsett’s new diversity office, but Shreve leaves door open
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s proposal to create a city office prioritizing diversity efforts was met with “no” votes from some City-County Council Republicans. But Hogsett’s GOP mayoral opponent Jefferson Shreve wouldn’t rule out the concept if his public safety funding priorities could be met first.
Biden administration urges colleges to pursue racial diversity without affirmative action
New guidance from the Biden administration on Monday urges colleges to use a range of strategies to promote racial diversity on campus after the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in admissions.
Curtis Hill says he’ll eliminate state’s equity and inclusion office if elected governor
The former Indiana attorney general and 2024 gubernatorial candidate said equity and inclusion efforts “exist only to pander to identity politics.”
Rapper studied Indianapolis neighborhoods to make ‘Deep Currents’ EP
Seaux Chill, otherwise known as Nabil Ince, wrote and recorded five songs after being awarded a grant from the Joyce Foundation in June 2022.
IU Health aims to award 30% of downtown hospital project to diverse contractors
IU Health expects to give about $690 million worth of work to diversity contractors. That’s 30% of $2.3 billion—the amount the hospital system says the project is worth after subtracting the cost of expensive medical equipment such as imaging scanners.
Indiana attorney general criticizes Target for Pride merchandise
The letter signed by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and the the attorney generals of six other states expresses legal concerns over Target’s “possible violation of fiduciary duties.”
Activists spurred by affirmative action ruling sue over legacy admissions
A civil rights group is challenging legacy admissions at Harvard University, saying the practice discriminates against students of color by giving an unfair boost to the mostly white children of alumni.
What the Supreme Court ruling on race-conscious admissions means for Indiana students
In Indiana, state leaders and others are already worried about the declining college-going rate, which is especially low for Black and Hispanic and Latino students.
Supreme Court strikes down affirmative action in college admissions
The decision will force institutions of higher education to look for new ways to achieve diverse student bodies.