Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 October 2004 — Page 1

Preparing a conscious community today and beyond Improved services for disabled workers needed Page D1

INDIANA’S GREATEST WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Volume 109 ■ Number 43 ■ Since 1895 ■ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2004 ■ www.lndianapolisrecoriler.com ■ Four Sections ■ 75C

The.Black vote,{What's in it for us?'

BY BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer

Analysts on both sides of the political aisle agree that tin 2004 campaign is one of the most crucial in history, as man federal, state and local offices are up for grabs. And to tin delight of urban civil rights and community organizations, African Americans are in a better position to play a deciding role in choosing policy makers this year. According to many reports, the level of African Americans

registered to vote in the country has increased rapidly, especially in swing states such as Ohio and Florida that could be crucial in determining who wins the U.S. presidency. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently noted that in its state alone “32 percent of newly registered voters are African American,” and several civil rights groups working under the banner of Unity ’04 gathered in Washington this month to celebrate the registration of hundreds of thousands of new Black voters. But now that the hard registration work is completed, many

African-American leaders are wondering how they can inspire Black voters to take the next step: Actually voting. In a recent interview Dr. Dorothy Height, president emeritus of the National Council of Negro Women stated, “It’s great to get people registered to vote, but we still have to get our people to the polls and make sure their votes get counted.” Indeed, many African-American voters, despite acknowledging the importance of voting, are still not sure how this ► See BLACK VOTE, Page A4

Donations are needed for victims The Domestic Violence Network of Greater Indianapolis is sponsoring the 2 nd annual One for You... One for Her campaign. When one leaves an abusive relationship, they often leave all their possessions behind, including the most basic necessities like shampoo, toothpaste and soap. Campaign organizers are asking for donations of these necessities for distribution. Union Planters Bank and The House at Glendale Mall have agreed to be collection sites for the event next Tuesday, Oct. 26. For more information visit wwwxJomesticviolencenetwork.org. Governor to address African American concerns Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan will answer questions pertaining to the AfricanAmerican community. The forum will be held on Oct. 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Madame Walker Theatre Building, 617 Indiana Ave. The African American Coalition, which consists of several local Black organizations will host the conversation. Radio One's Amos Brown and Recorder Editor Shannon Williams will moderate. During the conversation, Kernan will answer a variety of questions of interest to the African-American community before answering audience questions. The event is free and open to the public. For more information call (317) 2362099. African-American Genealogy Workshop Oct. 30 The Indiana AfricanAmerican Genealogy Group presents their AfricanAmerican Genealogy Workshop Oct. 30 at the Eiteljorg Museum in the Ruth Lilly Auditorium. Registration begins at 10 ► See BRIEFS, Page A4 Got a hot news tip? Want to be heard? If you would like to report any news or share your comments, call the Recorder News Hotline at (317)924-5143 ext 300

k LOOK BACK Senate Avenue YMCA's legacy continues

William Mays, president of Mays Chemical Co., gets a flower pinned on by YMCA staff member Sherry Dove during the 150th anniversary of the Indianapolis YMCA.

NOT TO PEOPLE UKE US Church gels word out on domestic violence

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer

It was 1912 when the cornerstone of the YMCA on Senate Avenue was laid. Excluded from white-domi-nated YMCAs, Blacks formed their own branches of the organization, one of the strongest being the “Y” on Senate Avenue. “What was special about the (YMCA on Senate Avenue) was that the adults, leaders of the city and leaders all over had empathy and sympathy,” said

former Harlem Globe Trotter Uallie Bryant. “They knew that \ oung people needed some place to go and feel safe, and an environment that was conducive to learning.” While the YMCA served educational and social welfare purposes it also helped to mobilize community opinion on public issues that affected African Americans in the city. Bryant who was active in the ► See SENATE, PageA2

YMCA celebrates 150 years of building strong communities By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer

The history of the YMCA began in London, England, in 1844, in response to unhealthy social conditions arising in big cities at the end of the Industrial Revolution. Ten years later the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis was bom to serve a similar need by “building strong kids, strong families and strong communities.* The “Y” - as most people refer to it - is celebrating 150 years of bringing communities together through outreach, volunteer efforts and fund raising as well as providingaspiritual and educational environment for youth. “Community support is very important because the YMCA depends on community support," said Diane Hurles, director of public relations of YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. “We are a volunteer driven organization so we need support from the community to come together and support our programs and participate. That is what makes the YMCA thrive." Over the years the YMCA has evolved from its original focus of providing services only for young men to providing services and programs to youth and family including sports, aquatics, camps and adult exercise programs. Keeping the legacy of the YMCA is meaningful to the community and those that utilize its programs says Nancy Shaw, a member of the YMCA’s board of directors. She says it can be done by remembering part of the organization’s mission to put Christian principals into practice. “We don’t require any specific religion affiliation for those who participate or are members of the YMCA but rather that the (organization) embodies the principals of Christian doctrine in terms of how it offers and promotes its services in the community,” she said. Volunteers, employees and participants of the YMCA would agree that one of the things that has been key to the longevity of the YMCA is that all of the programs have been supported by four core values

►Sm YMCA, Pag* A2

By JOSHUA COHEN Staff Writer Domestic violence happens. Although there are many people who do not address the issue, it exists. Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Assembly wants people to acknowledge this issue and are holding their Domestic Abuse Conference at the church Oct. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The church is located at 430 W. Fall Creek Parkway, North Drive. “Faith organizations should be leading the way,” said Vivian Finnell, co-organizer of the event. “We are giving a name to and condemning domestic violence. We want to call into com-

passion the victims, and the perpetrators, because they are our neighbors." The conference will offer workshops designed to cover the topics of what is abuse, the effects of abuse, safety, howto find support in the community and the faithbased community. The workshops are for teens and adults, males and females. The theme of the event is “Not to People Like Us,” a book written by Susan Weitzman about abuse in upscale marriages. “Many upscale and clerical marriages don’t address abuse,” said Finnell. “This conference ► See DOMESTIC, Pag* A3

Left to right: Retired Judge Taylor Baker, author Dr. Stanley Warren and former Harlem Globe Trotter Hallie Bryant share a conversation about the Senate Avenue YMCA at the celebration, which took place at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. (Photos/C. Guynn)

TV judge honored in Indy

Judge Joe Brown, was recently honored by the Indianapolis Housing Agency for his services to the community. Brown Issued a ruling in a housing fraud case at the agency on his television show, which airs on ABC. (Photo/C. Guynn)

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