Hogsett Reveals His Plans To Address Systemic Racism

Mayor Joe Hogsett Monday discussed his plan to address systemic racism in Indianapolis if reelected.

This comes as a response to a meeting with the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis and the Baptist Ministers Alliance held last month in regard to economic, education and public safety deserts in the city’s black community. 

In August, Hogsett and Republican challenger State Sen. Jim Merritt were asked if their administrations would have a black agenda. Hogsett said no, he believes his overall agenda is inclusive to minorities. He stood by that statement Monday.

“Indianapolis and all of its elected leadership should absolutely articulate what some might call a black agenda,” Hogsett says. “I am here today to talk about what my agenda has been over the past four years and what it will continue to be.”

He pointed to policies his administration has implemented, like workforce incentive reform -- in which companies applying for tax incentives must pay an $18 an hour minimum wage with healthcare benefits. Future incentives will be used to help remove barriers to attracting and retaining workers, including childcare and transportation.

Hogsett says all IMPD officers will be trained on implicit bias by the end of the year and the department will continue to hire more minority officers. He also referenced the city’s newly passed 2020 budget, which includes $1.2 million for police body cameras.

On education, Hogsett says he will hold the mayor’s charter schools accountable for having culturally responsive practices. In the spring, he plans to create a community advisory council that will assist in charter school application review.

Hogsett’s plan was met with opposition by some people who say it does not directly affect the black community.

Baptist Ministers Alliance president Wayne Moore expressed his concern that Hogsett did not involve the black community in his plans sooner.

“No doubt, the elephant for me in the room is this is Mayor Joe Hogsett’s agenda for the African-American community,” Moore says. “When you do agendas for the community, the community ought to be at the table.”

Merritt announced his black agenda last week. Both candidates will take part in a debate on topics that impact the African American community Monday night.