Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 30 August 2002 — Page 2

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30,2002

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Black Republicans flex political muscle MBARI moves to D, “" T " " '" J

moves

diversify state party By Anare V. Holmes Recorder Editor Jesse Moore, Jr., has a difficult job

before him.

As the newly hired deputy campaign manager for the Brose McVey for Congress Campaign, Moore has to rally support for a candidate many Blacks know little about and many could care less about Add to the mix that McVey is the Republican challenger to Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Julia Carson and the word difficult becomes an under-

statement

“It is going to be an uphill battle, no doubt,” saidMoore,presidentofMoore Consulting and executive director of the Indianapolis Black Chamber of Commerce. “Julia is fierce competition, butmy goal istoget Brose in front of as many Black leaders as possible so that we can move beyond die rhetoric and deal with the issues. “When that happens, I think many people will find what he has to say

interesting.”

Those issues include new takes on an economic stimulus plan to recharge

HfeaM

the city and state’s dismal financial . „„„ . . , . , , outlook, plans to broaden educational <*? <MP t,chn md to mmben of

options for parents and ‘energetic leadership that is in touch with the people I

seek to represent,” said McVey.

Moore played an instrumental role in setting up McVey’s intimate session with about 30 Black ministers at Messiah Missionary Baptist Church last week, where McVey unveiled tidbits of plan to increase Black homeownershiprates—along with Mel Martinez, U.S. Secretary of Housing

and Urban Development

The meeting included a few surprises as attendees all paused when U .S Rep. Carson came in unannounced

and unexpected.

“She is definitely checking us out and that’s alright” said Moore who has been a staunch supporter of the Republican party for the past 20 years. “But this year things are a little different it’s more competitive this time around and there is so much at stake.” The question is why would Moore come back in the game now when the

heat is on.

“The planets have kind of lined up,” said Moore who credits his entry back

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Jesse Moore (left) with Brose McVey (far right). on the front lines of political warfare to members of MBARI, a network of about 200 Black Indiana Republicans on a mission to diversify a party that oftentimes treats Blacks as unwanted

stepchildren.

"They pulled me out of political retirement to help advise them on their effort and, man. I’ve never seen such a passionate and fearless group of Black

Republicans,” said Moore.

Founded by Isaac Randolph, Jackie Cissell and Steve Quick, MBARI—a Swahili word forfamily—has a simple

philosophy; increase the number of issues that are important to many black officeholders and candidates on Blacks,” said Winston.

Black Democratic leaders are not as quick to call their white counterparts out when they do things like that because it may hurt their own political

careers,” said Moore.

Both Moore and Cissell know the world is not perfect on the Republican front, but say theytake issue with Democratic party officials for their “reluctance to find solutions to better failing inner-city schools and for taking the

Black vote for granted.”

Former Indiana Democratic Party Chair Robin Winston says that is sim-

ply not true.

“All you have to do is look at those things that are tangible,” said Winston who now heads his own political consulting firm. “When you look at the levelsof paiticipation among Blacks in the Democratic Patty in terms of black office holders, candidates and voters and their impact on policy weareclearly

in the forefront.”

Winston said he doesn’t knock Mooe, Cissell and other Black Republicans or members of MBARI for participating in the Republican Party. “People don’t vote for parties they vote for policies and the Republicans have a dismal record on those policies

blacks who vote Republican will grow’

too.

“It’s just that simple,” said Cissell. “And -we believe that with State Republican Party Chair Jim Kittle’s new leadership we have a shot of making this a reality, so we brought in Jesse who is one of our older statesmen to come in and help us get the job done.” Both Moore and Cissell said many Blacks often wonder how they can justify working within a party that at times has alienated Black voters. On Aug. 9, two white Republican City County Councillors, Robert Massie and William Dowden, issued a news release calling critics of the Indianapolis Police Department “gorillas and thugs” after a town hall meeting was convened by U.S. Rep. Carson to discuss citizen complaints about police security enforcementduring this year’s Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration. Massie has since publicly apolo-

gized for the comments.

“What they did was wrong, but that just doesn’t happert within our party, it also happens with the Democrats, but

Rev. Melvin Girton of Christ Missionary Baptist Church agrees. Girton was one of the pastors who attended last week’s meeting with 7th Congressional District Candidate Brose McVey and HUD Secretary Martinez. “The Republicans simply do not have a good record on voting for many civil rights initiatives and social programs,” said Girton. Girton said although he thought last week’s meeting went well, he questions if ideas discussed will ever come to fruition. “They always want to meet and greet during their campaigns, but when it comes to follow through they are no where to be found,” said Girton. There is hope for Moore and members of MBARI as they set out to complete the hard work ahead. “If MBARI can move from an advocacy group to its members actually getting elected to office, they will have a greater influence on their party,” said Robin Winston. ‘ Any time more Blacks and people of color get involved in the political process, no matter what side of the aisle their on, it’s a good thing.”

COMMUNITY rOUNOATiON

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INDIANAPOLIS FAMILIES COUNT AWARDS

Do you know an organization that helps make families stronger? Nominate it to receive a Families Count Award of $5,000 for its good work.

art* seeking nominations of sehools or sehool-based programs, (aith-liased organizations anil programs, community/ neighborhood organizations, small businesses, and cultural and ethnic organizations. Organizations must Ite located in ami serve Marion County. An organization must help the whole family, not just one or two family members. It must help families become stronger in one or more of the lollowing ways. Families an- healthv and safe. </ Families an- financiallv secure. 1/ Families an- engaged in eacli others’ lives. y Families an- engaged in the conimtinily. y Families instill and support cultural traditions, conimunitv responsibility and faith traditions. TAKE 5 MINUTES. Ml families that send in a nomination are invited to the Awards Ceremony at the Family Strengthening Summit, November 23, 2002. at the Indiana Slate Fairgrounds, fnwn 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. The Summit is during National Families \M-ek and is free, o|>eii to the public, and will have family activities. Call (317) 123-1770 lor more information about ihe Summit. *// an orfiuniaUum lines nnl /if in one of these mte/iitries, it is not eli/ithle Jor an nunnl this year, hnifjinivs or bonnJ members rnnnnl \iJ>mil nmninniinns for their nu n orffimunlion.s. If a small hnsiness urns, it must iloniUe its rush nu nnl to n non/imfit orgiuiizolntn that slren/ithens /nmilies. I , ilsI u i nners ore not eligible for nn nunnl. MAIL NOMINATIONS BY SEPTEMBER 25, 2002 TO: Indianapolis Families Count Awards - CICF 615 N. Alaltuma, Suite #119 Indianapolis. IN 46204. For more information, t all (317) 423-7897. e-mail familiei<rount(iu cicf.org or visit www.indyfaniillrs.urii

2002 INDIANAPOLIS FAMILIES COUNT AWARDS NOMINATION FORM

Your name and contact information are necessary for your vote to count Your Name Tour Address City Zip ..... Your Daytime Phone Tour E-mail Organization Nominated Organization Address City Zip Organization Phone Number Type of Organization - check one: jS'lxmls or sdionl-liascd programs J Faith-1 lax-d organizations & programs jCnnumuiitv neighborhood organizations jNuall Imsinesscs JCultural & ethnic organizations How did you heardlmul the awards'/ Where did you get the nomination form/ How do you know atiout the organization/ (mmiiiuilioiis not acieptnl from einployi-es or Imanl mt-nibt-rs).

ORGANIZATION’S ACTIVITIES W lull activities ikies tire organization do to make lamilies stronger/ CITE. SPECIFIC EXAMPLES IN THE SPACE PROVIDED

IMPACT ON THE WHOLE FAMILY How lias the whole familv's life lieen changed U■cause ot the organizations activities/ CITE SPECIFIC EX AMPI.ES IN THE SPACE PROVIDED