The Central Indiana Chapter was chartered on June 29, 1985 as the
“Indianapolis Chapter” in an historic ceremony at Flanner House by
NABSW National President, William Merritt. Our theme was “Linking the
Strengths of the Past To Future Challenges”. Our 13 visionary Founders
and Charter Members included: Lovada Merriweather, President; Lucy
Roberts Cannon; Wanda Carpenter Goodloe, Secretary; Cynthia Donel;
Gershon Gamor; Frankye E. Johnson; Charlotte Lillard; Pamela Hall
Morrison Lawrence; Kanya Oliver; Dr. Theresa L. Roberts, Treasurer;
Marcene Royster; Chez Rusununguko; and, Annette Ward. We are
honored that, after more than 3 decades of service, several of our charter
members continue to affiliate with our Chapter.
Our roots are intertwined with those of local African American
organizations in the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the pioneers of the
first NABSW Indianapolis Chapter in the 1970s. We rose up to mobilize for
liberation by living our core principles and the Code of Ethics. In spite of
the challenges, we have linked the strengths of the past to retain our
charter since 1985. We reincorporated as the “Central Indiana Chapter” in
2005, and attained our 501c3 status in 2006. In 2013, we changed our name
to “Central Indiana ABSW, Inc.”
Our Chapter has established a rich tradition of community, organizational,
family, and professional empowerment initiatives over 29 years. Some of
the exemplary programs we planted include: Annual Juneteenth & Rites of
Passage Graduation Celebrations; Kwanzaa & Annual Meeting
Celebrations; student support, mentoring, and scholarships totaling over
$20,000. We instituted the Dr. Theresa L. Roberts National Book
Scholarship in 2012. We established the social work licensure course, and
to date, at least eight graduates have attained their licenses. Our
community service programs address key issues such as violence, family
development, and crisis support. We mounted advocacy, voter
registration, and education initiatives; Annual Black Book Drives;
leadership awards; THE GRIOT Newsletter; and, Spirituality, Leadership,
and African Centered Social Work Conferences. We have also served as a
support to other chapters, especially those in the Midwest region.
Each year, we have collaborated with over 50 social work, community,
government, business, academic, and faith-based organizations in
educational, research, advocacy, and service initiatives to benefit the
African American community. We also sustain collaborations with local
organizations that are committed to empowering people of African
ancestry. Among our many proclamations and honors, we received
Indiana Minority Health Coalition of Marion County 25th Anniversary
Community Partnership Award and the 2010 U.S. Census Community
Partner Award. Our members extended the Chapter’s reach far beyond
these organizations as they enhanced their professional development,
presented workshops and in services, provided consultation, published
scholarly works, attended rallies, received awards, provided quality
services, and networked around the globe. Over the last four years, our
Chapter, in collaboration with community partners, have contributed
several thousand dollars to the Siyazigabisa Home of Hope in South Africa,
to provide safety, security, and resources to those affected by HIV/AIDS.
In 1987, our Chapter hosted the NABSW Steering Committee in
collaboration with Indiana Black Expo. In July 2008, we served as the
Steering Committee hosts for the second time, and cohosted the 41st
National Conference with the Louisville KY Chapter in 2009. In 2014, our
Chapter was honored to host the first National Conference held in Indiana.
The 46th NABSW Annual National Conference was conducted on April 15-
18, 2014 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. This highly successful
professional development event was organized around the theme "An
African Tapestry: The Blackprint for Physical, Psycho-social, and Spiritual
Wellness".
Our Chapter continues to grow statewide and is blessed with strong
NABSW linkages and is well-represented on the national and regional
levels. Some of our recent national awards include: 2011, 2012, & 2013
Presidential Award for the Most Increased Members; 2014 Cenie Jumo
Williams Chapter Award; and others. Our dedicated past Co- Presidents,
Frankye E. Johnson (who co-authored the NABSW Emergency
Preparedness Manual) and Dayvid H. Brown (who was the first Indiana
member elected to hold a national office), have lead a dynamic core of
members and has built on our strengths, infused new leadership, and
implemented our advocacy mission. In 2015 we celebrated our 30th
Anniversary in June with a beautiful Gala and to date our chapter
continues to grow and be recognized as an award winning group of
dedicated African American Social Work Professionals.
“Indianapolis Chapter” in an historic ceremony at Flanner House by
NABSW National President, William Merritt. Our theme was “Linking the
Strengths of the Past To Future Challenges”. Our 13 visionary Founders
and Charter Members included: Lovada Merriweather, President; Lucy
Roberts Cannon; Wanda Carpenter Goodloe, Secretary; Cynthia Donel;
Gershon Gamor; Frankye E. Johnson; Charlotte Lillard; Pamela Hall
Morrison Lawrence; Kanya Oliver; Dr. Theresa L. Roberts, Treasurer;
Marcene Royster; Chez Rusununguko; and, Annette Ward. We are
honored that, after more than 3 decades of service, several of our charter
members continue to affiliate with our Chapter.
Our roots are intertwined with those of local African American
organizations in the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the pioneers of the
first NABSW Indianapolis Chapter in the 1970s. We rose up to mobilize for
liberation by living our core principles and the Code of Ethics. In spite of
the challenges, we have linked the strengths of the past to retain our
charter since 1985. We reincorporated as the “Central Indiana Chapter” in
2005, and attained our 501c3 status in 2006. In 2013, we changed our name
to “Central Indiana ABSW, Inc.”
Our Chapter has established a rich tradition of community, organizational,
family, and professional empowerment initiatives over 29 years. Some of
the exemplary programs we planted include: Annual Juneteenth & Rites of
Passage Graduation Celebrations; Kwanzaa & Annual Meeting
Celebrations; student support, mentoring, and scholarships totaling over
$20,000. We instituted the Dr. Theresa L. Roberts National Book
Scholarship in 2012. We established the social work licensure course, and
to date, at least eight graduates have attained their licenses. Our
community service programs address key issues such as violence, family
development, and crisis support. We mounted advocacy, voter
registration, and education initiatives; Annual Black Book Drives;
leadership awards; THE GRIOT Newsletter; and, Spirituality, Leadership,
and African Centered Social Work Conferences. We have also served as a
support to other chapters, especially those in the Midwest region.
Each year, we have collaborated with over 50 social work, community,
government, business, academic, and faith-based organizations in
educational, research, advocacy, and service initiatives to benefit the
African American community. We also sustain collaborations with local
organizations that are committed to empowering people of African
ancestry. Among our many proclamations and honors, we received
Indiana Minority Health Coalition of Marion County 25th Anniversary
Community Partnership Award and the 2010 U.S. Census Community
Partner Award. Our members extended the Chapter’s reach far beyond
these organizations as they enhanced their professional development,
presented workshops and in services, provided consultation, published
scholarly works, attended rallies, received awards, provided quality
services, and networked around the globe. Over the last four years, our
Chapter, in collaboration with community partners, have contributed
several thousand dollars to the Siyazigabisa Home of Hope in South Africa,
to provide safety, security, and resources to those affected by HIV/AIDS.
In 1987, our Chapter hosted the NABSW Steering Committee in
collaboration with Indiana Black Expo. In July 2008, we served as the
Steering Committee hosts for the second time, and cohosted the 41st
National Conference with the Louisville KY Chapter in 2009. In 2014, our
Chapter was honored to host the first National Conference held in Indiana.
The 46th NABSW Annual National Conference was conducted on April 15-
18, 2014 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. This highly successful
professional development event was organized around the theme "An
African Tapestry: The Blackprint for Physical, Psycho-social, and Spiritual
Wellness".
Our Chapter continues to grow statewide and is blessed with strong
NABSW linkages and is well-represented on the national and regional
levels. Some of our recent national awards include: 2011, 2012, & 2013
Presidential Award for the Most Increased Members; 2014 Cenie Jumo
Williams Chapter Award; and others. Our dedicated past Co- Presidents,
Frankye E. Johnson (who co-authored the NABSW Emergency
Preparedness Manual) and Dayvid H. Brown (who was the first Indiana
member elected to hold a national office), have lead a dynamic core of
members and has built on our strengths, infused new leadership, and
implemented our advocacy mission. In 2015 we celebrated our 30th
Anniversary in June with a beautiful Gala and to date our chapter
continues to grow and be recognized as an award winning group of
dedicated African American Social Work Professionals.