Indianapolis Urban League Celebrates 60 years of Service with Awards Luncheon

Tuesday (June 23) was a milestone day for the Indianapolis Urban League (Indianapolis, IN), which is the local chapter of a national organization that serves communities of color with basic needs, housing and food assistance, as well as scholarships for students.

The Indianapolis Urban League is celebrating 60 years of service, and held its annual Equal Opportunity Day Awards luncheon.

WISH-TV’s Gina Glaros and WRTV’s Derricke Dennis teamed up to emcee the event, which featured keynote speaker Stacey Abrams, a voting rights activist and politician from Georgia who talked voter supression, the threat of redistricting, and how Indiana state lawmakers recently voted against redrawing Indiana’s congressional maps.

“When redistricting happens, what is occurring is they’re taking away your right to be heard. when they shift who gets to vote where, they basically letting politicians pick the voters, instead of voters pick their leaders,” Abrams said. “In a nation where power is supposed to be shared, redistricting is dangerous because they may start with communities of color but they’re never going to stop there.”

That was part of Abrams’ message as the keynote speaker for the luncheon at the Indiana Convention Center.

The program honored the Urban League’s community partners, sponsors, student scholars, and leaders who are making a difference in the lives of Hoosiers in need.

“What if they’re about to be evicted, what if they’re about to have their utilities shut off, what if they need food, so just imagine even the basics,” said Tony Mason, President and CEO of the Indianapolis Urban League. “Our organization stands in the gap for those in need day in and day out.”

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