INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – From May through June, Intend Indiana will participate in the inaugural cohort of the Center for Community Progress and Both/And Partners Land Bank Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Learning Cohort. The DEI Learning Cohort is offered as part of Community Progress’ National Land Bank Network. Intend Indiana representatives will join land bank professionals from across the country in an exploration of racial equity and gain tools, resources and support designed to drive change within their local communities.
The Land Bank DEI Learning Cohort is designed for staff and board members working to disrupt systemic racism. Each land bank will participate in four biweekly virtual workshops where they will:
- Learn how to meaningfully engage in dialogue around issues of diversity, equity and inclusion;
- Share lived experiences with race and racism;
- Learn about systemic racism and how to disrupt the cycle of discrimination;
- Discover ways to become a better ally within our organization and community; and
- Gain inspiration and encouragement to pursue DEI initiatives.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion are the foundations on which Intend Indiana is built,” said Intend Indiana President Stephanie Quick. “As we advance our strategic priority to grow our capacity to serve diverse communities in ways that are culturally congruent and respectful, we are excited about the opportunity to participate in the Cohort alongside land bank staff and board members from across the country.”
Intend partners with community-based organizations, nonprofits, foundations, banks, and state and local governments to leverage resources and deliver impactful programs designed to meet the needs of the community. Intend Indiana is also a chartered member of NeighborWorks America. To learn more about Intend Indiana and its mission-driven initiatives, visit www.intendindiana.org.
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About Intend Indiana:
Intend Indiana, Inc. (Intend) is a nonprofit that advances comprehensive community development through innovative financing and development solutions that create and preserve affordable housing, support neighborhood revitalization efforts and foster small business development. Incorporated in 1987 to serve the near northside neighborhoods of Indianapolis, Intend has grown to provide community solutions across the state.
About the Center for Community Progress:
The Center for Community Progress helps people to transform vacant spaces into vibrant places. Since 2010, their team of experts has provided urban, suburban and rural communities battling systemic vacancy with the policies, tools and resources needed to address the full cycle of property revitalization. As the only national nonprofit dedicated to tackling vacant properties, Community Progress drives change by uncovering and disrupting the unjust, racist systems that perpetuate entrenched vacancy and property deterioration. Community Progress has delivered customized, expert guidance to leaders in over 300 communities and provided hundreds of hours of free educational resources as well as leadership programming to help policymakers, practitioners and community members across the country return properties to productive use. To learn more and get help for your community, visit communityprogress.org.
About the National Land Bank Network:
The National Land Bank Network (NLBN) at the Center for Community Progress connects land bank leaders to the tools, networks, and resources they need to return vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties to productive use. As the first membership-based community of practice for the field of land banking, NLBN supports over 250 land banks throughout the United States with in-person and online convening, research, technical assistance, and equity-focused education.
