Committee reappoints members to Indianapolis Commission on African American Males

The Indianapolis City Rules and Public Policy Committee on April 21 approved a series of nominations to the Indianapolis Commission on African American Males, reappointing Kenneth Allen and Marshawn Wally and reappointing or appointing other members.

President Maggie Lewis moved the agenda items. Kenneth Allen, who identified himself as vice chair of the Indianapolis Commission on African American Males and chair of the state commission on the Social Status of Black Males, said he is "very excited to continue the work" at the local level after a state-level consolidation of the state commission.

Judge Jeffrey Gaither introduced himself as a family-division judge in Marion Superior Court who has served on the bench since 1995 and said he values the commission’s work and is happy to continue contributing. Representative Gregory W. Porter (House District 96), who also noted his role as Senior Vice President for the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County, said the commission’s focus on data and mental-health initiatives for young men is a priority: "Mental health for young men and what they're going through is very important," Porter said.

Each nomination (proposals 102, 103, 104 and 105 in the agenda) was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote with ayes recorded. Kenneth Allen spoke in support of Marshawn Wally’s reappointment, saying the chair has done "an amazing job" leading commission efforts.

The committee processed the nominations by consent and approved the appointments and reappointments during the meeting. The approvals were voice votes recorded as "aye" in the transcript; no roll-call tallies were read into the record.

The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.