The African American Coalition of Indianapolis and 18 other Black organizations—100 Black Men of Indianapolis, Alpha Phi Alpha Iota Lambda Chapter, Baptist Minister’s Alliance, Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis, Exchange at the Indianapolis Urban League, Indiana Black Expo, Indianapolis Professional Association, Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis Urban League, Indy Black Chamber of Commerce, Inner Beauty, Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Indianapolis, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Alpha Alpha Omega Indianapolis Alumni Chapter, New B.O.Y, Not 1 More Project, Purpose for My Pain, the Fathers Foundation and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women—on Sunday released the following statement regarding the abrupt exit of Dr. Colette Burnette from Newfields:
“The African American Coalition of Indianapolis (AACI) expresses profound concern and seeks clarity on the recent announcement of Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette’s departure from Newfields. The communication from Newfields’ Board of Trustees does not suffice to explain the reasons behind the exit of a leader who has endeavored to rebuild the institution’s reputation and foster meaningful connections with Indianapolis’ marginalized communities.
“In her 15-month tenure, Dr. Burnette confronted the institution’s past issues with accusations of a toxic and discriminatory culture that failed to serve audiences of color. Her appointment, which followed a controversial job posting indicating a preference for maintaining a “core white art audience,” was a beacon of progress, signifying Newfields’ commitment to transformation into an anti-racist and inclusive institution. Following Dr. Burnette’s arrival, we witnessed increased partnerships with community organizations as well as programming that advanced the inclusiveness of the institution. Dr. Burnette’s leadership, engagement, and collaborative partnerships finally gave the community a sense of belonging.
“The lack of transparency surrounding her departure raises unsettling questions. Amid many rumors and allegations fueled by a press announcement highlighting her exit, we are left feeling angry, frustrated, confused, and betrayed. Did the Board of Trustees give Dr. Burnette the necessary support and grace to navigate such a complex environment? Does this sudden change in leadership reflect a deeper reluctance to authentically pursue the anti-racist and inclusive values professed by the board? Were complaints, if any, against Dr. Burnette given undue weight, and was the challenging environment she was tasked to reform considered in the board’s decision? These are the questions that we now have because of Newfields’ announcement, and we must emphasize that the way Dr. Burnette’s exit was announced has created a worse perception. Newfields’ actions took it two steps back as it relates to community relations. The board should re-examine its commitment and determine if it is sincere and capable of building trust in the Black community.
“The situation compels us to consider if the outcome would have been different had the racial dynamics at play been otherwise. These questions are not just conjecture; they stem from a discernible pattern in Indianapolis where Black professionals seldom see long tenures in executive roles. This trend contradicts our collective mission for a thriving African American community represented robustly at every leadership level.
“We at AACI stand resolute in our mission and insist that local businesses, non-profits, and government entities not only recognize this troubling pattern but also act decisively. We expect a commitment to creating a supportive environment that not only invites but retains Black executives, offering them a fair opportunity to succeed and make lasting impacts.
“Dr. Burnette’s premature exit signifies a lost opportunity for Newfields and the community at large. As stakeholders in Indianapolis’ future, we must collectively strive to implement a sustainable model that ensures the longevity and success of Black executives, which in turn reflects the diversity and vitality of our city.
“It is incumbent upon Newfields’ Board of Trustees to not only reflect on the implications of the decision but to also undertake concrete actions that rebuild trust with the Black community—a trust that currently stands fractured. The path forward requires more than symbolic gestures; it necessitates a sincere, ongoing commitment to equity, transparency, and community engagement that transcends mere statements and is embodied in the very fabric of our institutions’ leadership and governance.”
The Indiana Department of Education was recently recognized with two national awards from the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA), which recognizes the top states in the nation for their solution-driven achievements. The awards were presented during the 2023 Leadership Summit and Ed Forum and specifically recognized the Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed (GPS) dashboard and Indiana Learning Lab.
Katie Jenner, Indiana secretary of education.
Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana secretary of education: “Coming into this role, we immediately met with a variety of stakeholders to understand the urgent needs in our state. This feedback helped to focus our efforts around a number of shared priorities, including elevating science of reading and rethinking the high school experience for Indiana students. Our team has also been laser-focused on ensuring parents, families and educators have access to more transparent, actionable data and other resources in order to best support student learning, hence the development of Indiana GPS and the Indiana Learning Lab. With any excellent solution comes a team of people both at the state and local level committed to making a difference. We are honored by this collective recognition for Indiana and will continue to roll up our sleeves and continue improving for our students.”
Julia Fallon, executive director of SETDA: “Indiana’s remarkable achievement in earning not just one, but two distinguished SETDA State Achievement Awards speaks volumes about the state’s unwavering commitment to excellence in education. Both awards stand as a testament to the state’s steadfast support of K-12 students and educators. We commend Indiana’s outstanding efforts and remain inspired by its relentless pursuit of educational innovation and success.”
Prosperity Indiana has received a $375,000 grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust to support housing affordability and stability for all Hoosiers.
Prosperity Indiana Executive Director Aspen Clemons: “Prosperity Indiana is proud to serve as the state’s premier convener and advocate for community economic development, including affordable housing issues. We are honored to partner with the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust to ensure that all Hoosiers have access to affordable and stable housing. This grant will allow us the opportunity to expand the role of the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition in educating Hoosiers and stakeholders statewide about solutions to address Indiana’s housing affordability and stability crisis. The grant will provide Prosperity Indiana with additional data capacity and educational resources to improve pathways to safe, stable, and affordable housing, and eliminate barriers to homeownership and long-term rental housing solutions. In addition, the grant will allow Prosperity Indiana and the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition to continue serving as a premier convener to lift up the voices of the community economic development sector on housing issues, including those of the most vulnerable Hoosiers affected by housing policy decisions.”
Gene D’Adamo, CEO and president of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust: “Over the years, Prosperity Indiana has built a strong statewide network of organizations devoted to helping Hoosiers find and stay in housing. We are honored to support their efforts to improve the conditions of low-income renter households and long-term housing outcomes in Indiana.”