Understanding Roots of Racism - Part 4: Transportation - Recap and Resources

EventsImpactEquity ActionDiversity Equity Inclusion

Oct 26

Thank you for joining United Way of Central Indiana at our fourth session of Understanding the Roots of Racism, an educational series on policies and practices of the past that have created barriers to service, resources and opportunities for Black Americans – many of which still exist today.

We hope you found our session on transportation informative, and are looking forward to our upcoming sessions centered on education and financial success.

View the Recording Below:

Meet Our Panelists:

Inez Evans

Inez Evans was selected as IndyGo’s President and CEO in summer 2019. Evans began her transit career as a Customer Service Call Center Representative in the early 90’s and most recently served as a Chief Operating Officer for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). Evans has held positions of increasing scope and responsibility with Austin-based Star Tran, San Jose-based Veolia Transportation and MV Transportation in Fairfield, California before becoming Director of Transportation for the Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transportation Authority (MARTA) and then Chief Operations Officer for the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA). She has diligently focused on operational efficiencies and building programs that support public transit employees’ growth and development. She has led several successful transportation initiatives across the country, including installation of bus rapid transit service (BRT) and master planning for 100% fleet electrification. Evans has an MBA in Management from Western International University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. In her free time, she enjoys singing and gardening.

DeAmon Harges

DeAmon Harges is the original “Roving Listener” as a neighbor and staff member of the Broadway United Methodist Church, in Indianapolis, IN. His role is to listen and discover the gifts, passions and dreams of citizens in his community, and to find ways to utilize them in order to build community, economy, and mutual “delight.” The bulk of DeAmon’s work is based on the principles and practices of the Asset-Based Community Development Institute (ABCD) that brings neighbors and institutions together to discover the power of being a good neighbor. DeAmon builds on what is already present and in place in the neighborhood, using those formally undiscovered assets to connect and empower rather than working only from the community’s needs and deficits. There is now a core of “Roving Listeners” working in the Broadway Methodist Church neighborhood.

Kim Irwin

Kim Irwin is the Executive Director of Health by Design, which works at the intersection of the built environment and public health, collaborating across sectors and disciplines to ensure Indiana communities have neighborhoods, public spaces and transportation infrastructure that promote active living for all. Health by Design envisions vibrant, thriving communities that help all people live active, healthier lives. Since January 2019, Health by Design has provided management services to the Indiana Public Health Association, which builds capacity among public health professionals and partners to achieve health equity and well-being for all across the state of Indiana. Ms. Irwin guides the strategic direction, partnership development and programmatic, operational and financial management of the organizations. She has a Master of Public Health from the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Public Health and an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University. Her prior work experience includes health promotion activities and program and administrative management for the American Lung Association, the IU School of Medicine and in senior services. She volunteers as a board member with the League of Women Voters of Indianapolis.

Senator Greg Taylor

Indianapolis attorney Greg Taylor became a member of the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus after being elected to represent Senate District 33 in November 2008. As a business and government attorney, Taylor joined the Senate with a breadth of knowledge and experience regarding economic development and job creation. A member of several local organizations, Taylor understands and appreciates the diversity found in the community and workplace. He has been appointed as a member of the Commission on the Social Status of Black Males, the White River State Park Development Commission, the Uniform Law Commission, the Public Defender Commission, Code Revision Commission as well as the State Fair Advisory Commission. Taylor also serves on the Law, Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of the nation’s 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. In addition, Senator Taylor has been appointed to the National Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments’ Economic Development Committee as well as the Midwestern Legislative Conference Economic Development Committee. A graduate of Indiana University Law School in Bloomington, Taylor practices law as Senior Counsel at MWH Law Group, in the ﬁrm’s transactional division and specializes in municipal ﬁnance law. Prior to his work with MWH, Taylor worked for the State of Indiana Department of Commerce, Business Development Division. He is also a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and the Indiana State Bar Association. Taylor resides in Indianapolis with his wife, Danielle, and three children, Jackson, Savannah, and Estella.