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0 CITY OF SOUTH BEND ( OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> has come Alkeyna's Department. Because of the organizing and pushing on the Administration, <br /> they have created an entire Department to focus on equity and,most specifically,reports that come <br /> out like the Racial Wealth Divide report I shared not too long ago as well as the Disparity Study <br /> will help document the kinds of things that are going on so we can continue with the program. I <br /> agree that we have to be specific. When we look at those grants, whether it is intentional or not, it <br /> discriminates against African-Americans and provides support to the Hispanic Community. Those <br /> are the types of things Alkeyna's Department are going through and fixing. It is great we are <br /> moving to the next level. We have infrastructure downtown and now we can move forward with <br /> the budget process and put dollars to support these initiatives. <br /> Marvin Crayton, 305 S. Lake Street, stated, I pray to God that it is intentional. I was in business in <br /> the City of South Bend for twenty-eight(28)years and you're saying go to the Mayor's office and <br /> knock on doors. I did that but instead, I got stomped on. I bid for jobs with the City and they <br /> wouldn't give me the jobs. I have all the insurance I need. A City engineer even called me the n- <br /> word and my crew an n-word. I'm retired and I went out of business because of the discrimination <br /> in this City. It seems to me that it is still going on right now. It seems to me the Administration is <br /> driving a wedge in between the Hispanics and the Blacks. I went to our Hispanic counterparts and <br /> tried to recruit them but it's not happening. The Mayor is driving the wedge deeper. I can't stand <br /> this anymore. That is fact, I lived it. <br /> Ms. Aldridge replied, I don't doubt you lived that. As Councilmember Williams-Preston has said, <br /> a lot of the advocacy and pushing from this side of the river is what allows me and Antonius to be <br /> at this table. I literally grew up in LaSalle Park and I want nothing more than to see the <br /> development of this community. Our team and the new efforts of the Council are the steps in the <br /> right direction. Are we there yet?No but we are working to get there and we need you to be there <br /> with us. We need to make sure our Hispanic counterparts feel supported and well-represented by <br /> their civic representatives.As they continue to grow we need to make sure they are well integrated <br /> with the community that has been there and that is you guys.We share similar issues.All the issues <br /> that Hispanics share with regard to safety, young people, and the racial wealth disparity, we share <br /> too. If we can use less of`they' and more of`us' and organize to get things done,it would be better <br /> for all of us. So keep recruiting and we will keep recruiting as well. <br /> Mr.Plump interjected,But we have tried,numerous times to bring the Hispanics into our meetings <br /> and it's failed. We have talked to Sam many times but he will not come to the meetings. We say <br /> that it's not a Hispanic or a Black issue,but it is. Yes, it is. As I spoke to the Common Council last <br /> week,how could a resource center be put in a place where the LaSalle Park Center originated and <br /> then be called the West Side Resource Center and we had no opportunity to sit on the planning <br /> committee? What is the purpose of that Center on Western Avenue? I talked with a lady and I <br /> asked the question about that, and Sam told her that the Resource Center is going to be for the <br /> Hispanics. He wanted to get with her one (1) on one (1)but she denied that because she wanted to <br /> talk to us first. We need to cut to the chase and stop not calling it what it is if it is what it is. On <br /> this side of town, it is not just Black. It is Hispanics. For this growth it is going to take both. It is <br /> going to take the Hispanics,the Blacks,the Caucasians,all together to make LaSalle Park the place <br /> we are proud of. One (1) nationality can't come and make something happen. It has to take all of <br /> US. <br /> Committee Chair White stated,I am taking notes. It is almost 6:00 p.m. She then posed an informal <br /> question to the body, Is everyone willing to continue to 6:30 p.m.? The majority of attendants <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 1 227 W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 l f574.235.9173 I TTD 574.235.5567 i www.southbendin.gov <br /> 8 <br />