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Articles by Heavyn Lester
Democratic LD heads to academia
Nick Pennington is departing the Hill for the position of senior coordinator for government relations and public policy at the Association of American Universities. Pennington most recently served as Rep. Nikema Williams' (D-Ga.) legislative director. Prior to joining Williams' office, he was legislative director for former Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.).
Longtime House staffer heads to trade org
After more than six years on the Hill, GOP staffer Sam Cloud is headed to the American Exploration and Production Council. Cloud, who was most recently legislative director for Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas), will serve as director of government affairs for the trade organization, which represents natural gas and crude oil companies throughout the U.S. Prior to joining Fallon's office, he held various positions with Rep.
Members of Congress more likely to be veterans
Yesterday's Veterans Day meant more to many members of Congress than average Americans, with member rates of service far outweighing those of U.S. adults. About 15% of current members of Congress have served in the military, according to LegiStorm data. This makes a member of Congress 2.5 times more likely to have served in the military than an average U.S. adult, with approximately 6% of U.S. adults having served, according to the Pew Research Center.
Rep. Cuellar's office ranked as worst-paid House office
Staff have been deserting Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) in high numbers and the record-low pay is probably not helping. Rep. Cuellar's office had the lowest median salary of all House of Representatives offices in 2024 Q1, according to aggregate median salary data. Cuellar's office is the only Democratic office ranked among the five worst-paid House offices.
Over 300 lawmakers file financial disclosure extension
A majority of members of Congress have missed the deadline for filing financial disclosures, instead requesting extensions. Currently, 304 members of Congress - 45 senators and 259 representatives - have filed for an extension of the May deadline. This figure exceeds the 286 lawmakers - 45 senators and 241 representatives - that filed for an extension last year. The disclosures were due May 15.
Privately sponsored travel to Israel on the rise again
After coming to a practical standstill following the start of the Israel-Hamas war, privatley funded congressional travel to Israel has seen a signifigant upturn in 2024. Members of Congress and their staff have taken 34 trips to Israel in the past four months, approved by 18 Republican offices and 16 Democratic offices.
Rooting for Keady just seems right
It’s hard to forget the profound look of disappointment on Gene Keady’s face in the 1995 NCAA Mens Regional Final in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the game clock finally expired. His highly favored Purdue Boilermakers were upset by the Wisconsin Badgers, denying Keady a trip to the Final Four, which was played that year in Indianapolis, just one hour from the Purdue campus in West Lafayette, Indiana.
The more things change
As far back as I can remember – which is quite a few decades at this point – I have heard the following lament (framed as a rhetorical question) from white people: “Why is everything about race?” The evil twin sister of that disingenuous interrogative is the following spurious accusation: “Black people are always playing the race card.” The exceedingly self-evident answer both to the question and to the accusation is that race is inextricably intertwined with the fabric of American society.
New supportive housing units open on the near north side
By JILL SHERIDAN More than 50 new apartments are open to people in need of supportive housing in Indianapolis as part of the city’s Housing to Recovery program. City officials unveiled the project Wednesday on the near north side. The St. George Apartments offer interim units to people and provide wrap-around services. The complex used about $4 million in funding from IU Health, the city’s opioid settlement and Housing to Recovery money from Horizon House to open and operate.
Johnny McKee’s unbridled exploration
A sort of celestial Mark Rothko, the Indianapolis artist Johnny McKee, who curates for and has a studio in the Harrison Center, is a mysterious kind of man. Well known throughout the city, and a longtime member of its creative community, McKee has kept quite a bit of privacy behind his bushy beard.
Job Corps Infrastructure Academies prepares students for high-demand, quality jobs created by Biden-Harris administration’s historic investments
Training opportunities available at two campuses in Indiana WASHINGTON (March 19, 2024) – In response to emerging workforce needs in high-demand industries across the nation, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Corps program offers free training that provides students with the skills needed to connect with the high-quality jobs being created by the Biden-Harris administration’s historic infrastructure investments.
Indiana’s education-to-workforce pipeline: Embracing pathways for post-graduation preparedness
As Indiana grapples with the challenges of a shifting workforce landscape, the need for robust support of education institutions focusing on post-graduation pathways becomes more urgent than ever. Recent workforce rankings paint a concerning picture, with Indiana slipping from 43rd in 2021 to a troubling 48th in 2022. Education and employment gaps not only hinder individual prosperity but also impede business growth and the overall vitality of our communities.
More Indy Parks to add free Wi-Fi for improved internet access
By DARIAN BENSON Indy Parks has installed high speed wi-fi at 19 facilities. The department plans to set up wi-fi at 10 more locations by the end of summer. The initiative is funded by $500,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act and is in collaboration with the Information Services Administration. Indy Parks said offering public wi-fi will allow facilities to host more community events, expand program offerings and provide spaces for students that support learning.
All-girls charter school clears major hurdle in rezoning conflict
By SYDNEY DAUPHINAIS This article was co-published by Chalkbeat Indiana and WFYI as part of a partnership to increase coverage of township school districts in Marion County. Have a tip or story idea about a township school district?Email in.tips@chalkbeat.org and tips@wfyi.org or fill out this form. Organizers behind an all-girls charter school passed a major hurdle Thursday in a petition process to rezone property in Washington Township for the campus.
Ballot challenge against former President Donald Trump denied in Indiana
By BENJAMIN THORP The Indiana Election Commission voted Tuesday to deny an effort to keep Former President Donald Trump off of the Indiana primary ballot. The challenge mirrors similar efforts in other states. The challenge for keeping Trump off of the ballot argued that he allegedly engaged in an insurrection after losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, making him ineligible to run for President. The challenge was filed by a lone voter in Monroe County.
Truly astronomical
I tried to sell my old cigar box – an expert told me it’s actually worth $60,000 thanks to its crazy link with history
Truly astronomical
It comes every four years without fail. (Well, kinda.) Some people literally mark their calendars in anticipation; others find the whole affair to be impossibly boring. But, whether we like it or not, there’s nothing that we can do to stop it. It’s nearly as certain an occurrence as Christmas visitors overstaying their welcome.
Brandi Davis-Handy named President of AES Indiana
Recognizing its greater focus on the AES Indiana projects to modernize the grid, enhance customer experience, and community leadership, today, the AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) announced the appointment of Brandi Davis-Handy as President of AES Indiana. Davis-Handy most recently served as Chief Customer Officer and has spent eight years of her career with AES in Indiana. “Brandi is a trusted business and community leader,” said Ken Zagzebski.
God all around
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God all around - Indianapolis Recorder
“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.
Global Motivations: A Trusted Global Voice With Influence and Impact By Dr. Toby Malichi, “The Global Godfather”
INDY IS GOING GLOBAL WITH THE NBA ALL STAR GAME As New Years Resolutions go, and after much prompting, many, many emails, LinkedIn and WhatsApp conversations. I vow to finally write my book(s), and continue to advocate Business for Peace globally as a global business diplomat. I predict More in 2024, the Year of the Dragon, is a year of resilience, strength, and opportunities. Faith in God mandatory. “Another year, another set of opportunities and challenges for leaders in all sectors of the globe.
An empowered youth-centered response to addressing youth-centered concerns can only be established through tru dialogue
Tru Colors Indy, Bloom Project Inc., DONT SLEEP, and Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center join together to provide a platform for some of the most profound Indianapolis youth to speak to youth mentors, policymakers, directors, and other stakeholders that have an impact on the lives of the youth. The impact of community violence, social injustice, mental health challenges, and other critical factors have created an overwhelming amount of victimization and harm towards our young citizens.
The Kheprw effect
“When we invest in each other, we invest in ourselves,” the quote frames the multifaceted Kheprw Institute (KI)—a beacon of hope and transformation nestled in the heart of Indianapolis. It is Sunday morning, and I am double-checking a text from one of the Co-founders of The Kheprw Institute, Paulette Fair. In it, she says, “Let’s meet at Octavia’s Visionary Campus (OVC),” and I am floored. Octavia, as in Octavia Butler?, I thought.
Playing the game
The tragically named American Alliance For Equal Rights succeeded in getting its fellow travelers on the Supreme Court to strike down affirmative action – but only the kind that benefits Black Americans. If anyone thought that the organization’s founder, Edward Blum, was going to rest after this temporary victory, they have officially been disabused of that naïve notion.
National Medical Association Elects Virginia A. Caine, MD as New President-Elect
Leading Infectious Diseases and Public Health Expert Takes the Helm of the Nation’s Oldest and Largest Organization for Black Doctors The National Medical Association (NMA), the nation’s oldest and largest organization representing over 50,000 African American physicians and the patients they serve, recently elected Virginia A. Caine, MD in New Orleans, Louisiana as its 125th President-Elect of this prestigious organization.
Milan Ball: Fierce Black philanthropist—and Indy transplant—driving social impact - Indianapolis Recorder
Philanthropy, as defined by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, embodies voluntary actions undertaken for the betterment of the public. This noble endeavor is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for selfless contribution to the welfare of society. Rooted in this principle, Milan Ball’s journey to Indianapolis took shape, and it’s one that melded personal growth, academic pursuit, and a deep, immediate love for this city. When I met Milan, I was immediately drawn to her.
Taylor isn't healthy and his employer has known it all along.
I don’t proclaim to be an orthopedic expert and certainly do not possess any of the advanced degrees and certifications that the doctors, physical therapists and trainers who work with Jonathan Taylor have all earned through the institutions of higher learning that they individually chose. I’m just one of the many who’s watched the debacle between the Indianapolis Colts and their best running back from a distance but with great interest.
The gift of faith
“…to another faith by the same Spirit,”(1 Corinthians 12:9) In a world often clouded by uncertainty and doubt, the gift of faith stands as a beacon of hope, offering individuals a profound sense of purpose, direction and unwavering confidence. Rooted in spiritual traditions across cultures, the concept of faith transcends religious boundaries, holding a central place in the lives of millions.
Why we need diversity programs
Attempts to erase Black identity and history predate colonization and slavery, but recently, some ideologues and elected officials have doubled down on attempts to tout the “good old days.” New standards in Florida will now teach students the “benefits” of slavery. The Supreme Court made the dangerous decision to eliminate affirmative action in higher education for people of color, which I wrote about in my last column.
Banks addressing Black business debt aversion is good business and good for city
Addressing debt aversion due to poor relationships between banks and the Black community is good for banks and the city. The Biennial Black Business Survey, conducted by my company looked at the issue of debt aversion with Black businesses. This focus was prompted by a previous survey which found that nearly 80% of Black businesses never applied for a loan throughout the life of their business.
Love is not a pair of shoes
It would be nice if finding your true love was just like finding a pair of shoes. You could go to a couple of stores, try on a multitude of styles and designs, and find a pair that perfectly complements you. Have the shoes put in a neat little box, meticulously wrapped in white tissue. But, in real life this will not do. A person is more complex than a simple pair of shoes. One colour cannot be used to define a person. One size cannot be used to confine a person. Beauty is more than sole deep.
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