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REGULAR MEETING December 10, 2018
<br /> when in his last year of college he worked on a life changing project focused on migrant farm
<br /> workers where he witnessed the oppressive conditions under which they toiled; and he spent the
<br /> next several years working in non-profit, community-based settings dealing with the homeless,
<br /> hunger, and HIV/AIDS; and, Whereas, organizing at the grassroots level, Darryl taught in and
<br /> supervised work readiness programs, developed trainings to confront the digital divide in inner
<br /> cities,directed community development projects;he co-founded the Amistad Institute,a non-profit
<br /> with the mission to design, develop and implement replicable programs for inner-city
<br /> communities; and Whereas, his work in the trenches with marginalized communities awakened a
<br /> long-standing interest in United States history, especially as it relates to labor, the African
<br /> American experience, and mechanisms in which race is constructed and deployed in the interests
<br /> of the dominant society and culture; and Darryl's personal mission led him to obtain a Master's
<br /> Degree in American Studies from Columbia University and his PhD in history from the University
<br /> of Chicago; and, Whereas, Dr. Heller found his way to South Bend in 2015, where he became the
<br /> Director of Student and Community Engagement and the Director of the Civil Rights Heritage
<br /> Center at Indiana University South Bend. This off-campus location was designed to build
<br /> collaborative relationships among students, faculty and the broader community relating to issues
<br /> of civil rights and social justice; and, Whereas; the Civil Rights Heritage Center operates out of
<br /> the former Engman Public Natatorium, a once segregated city-owned and operated swimming
<br /> pool, it now hosts public lectures, programming, and exhibitions on topics related to civil rights
<br /> and social justice.
<br /> Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated,And, Whereas,under Dr. Heller's leadership the
<br /> Civil Rights Heritage Center has set three (3) consecutive records for the first (1St), second (2n1),
<br /> and third (3rd) best attendance and renewed its reputation as a place for community exploration
<br /> into the history of marginalization and oppression, its current impacts, and its contemporary
<br /> manifestations; and, Whereas, the center came alive with work that stirs the soul to action. Guest
<br /> speakers,film screenings,poetry jams,and historical lectures brought together an intergenerational
<br /> community of activists, students, teachers, and professors. People of faith, peace, labor, and law
<br /> gathered to act on their commitment to justice. Dr. Heller personally played crucial roles in
<br /> advancing the work of many social justice organizations including Michiana Social Justice
<br /> Coalition and Community Action for Education(CAFE), and even served on the board for Imani
<br /> Unidad,and the Community Forum for Economic Justice and,Whereas, a unique mix of academic
<br /> and activist, Dr. Heller navigated political and social communities with ease creating an ever-
<br /> expanding circle of influence. His opinion articles, lectures, and keynote speeches called out the
<br /> dynamics of institutional oppression, spoke truth to power, and challenged community leaders to
<br /> make real change;and,Whereas,in recent years,Governing Magazine rated South Bend as a"High
<br /> Performing Race Conscious City", there is no doubt that in his short time here Darryl's work has
<br /> made a significant contribution to the momentum moving us forward towards our goal of racial
<br /> and economic justice.Now,Therefore,be it resolved,by the Common Council of the City of South
<br /> Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section One (I). The South Bend Common Council publicly offers its
<br /> gratitude to Dr. Heller for his role in making South Bend a more informed and better community
<br /> which recognizes its past and looks forward to its future. Section Two (II). The Common Council
<br /> wishes Dr. Heller continued success as an educator and organizer for social justice in his new
<br /> position. Section Three (III). This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its
<br /> adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. Thank you, Dr. Heller.
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis stated, When you look at that, a lot of times people come to a
<br /> community and they just work. He came to this community and really became a part of it and has
<br /> made it better. It's hard to think you've been here for such a short time because you've done so
<br /> much. You've done a lot. I want to make sure you always keep this City on your heart because
<br /> you will be on our thoughts and minds as we move forward because we are better because of you.
<br /> I want to thank you for that.
<br /> Dr. Darryl Heller, 835 West Colfax Avenue, South Bend, IN, stated, First (1St) of all, thank you
<br /> for this. It's been my honor and privilege to serve as the Director of the IU South Bend Civil Rights
<br /> Heritage Center. This is more than I ever expected because,in a sense, I was doing what everyone
<br /> should be doing. The real task that we all bare is to make the world better than when we came into
<br /> it. I certainly didn't do it alone. I came ready for work but there was already a community here
<br /> that was working. My commitment for the Civil Rights Heritage Center was simply what I think
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