Kennedy’s speech, King’s legacy resonates across generations

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By Donna Griffin

Founder and CEO

Urban Media Project

Dani’s Dreams Innovation in Education Corp.

“But we have to make an effort in the United States. We have to make an effort to understand, to get beyond, or go beyond these rather difficult times.” – Robert F. Kennedy, April 4, 1968

Abie Robinson was an angry young black man in 1968.

Just returned from Vietnam.

He came home to a country in turmoil, divided along lines of race and politics.

“I remember being so angry, coming back to Indianapolis as a 22-year-old to a country where I couldn’t…” he trailed off in remembered frustration.

Abie was in the crowd on April 4, 1968, at 17^th and Broadway, when presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy spoke to a crowd of about 2,500 people, many of whom were like Abie, young, black and ready to demand their rights as citizens of this country.

Those in attendance thought the speech would be one of inspiration, a call to register to vote, to continue the work, the mission of Montgomery, of Selma – of King and JFK.

“His words that night quieted my anger and changed my life,” Abie said.

Abie is working with Urban Media Project and area high school and college students for the upcoming “Speak Your Truth” to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of Kennedy’s speech announcing the assassination of Martin Luther King.

“What I realized that night of Kennedy’s speech was how every individual can make a difference,” Abie said.

Now 50 years later Indianapolis is among the most violent cities in the nation, ranked 12^th in 2016, according to the FBI, with much of the violence in neighborhoods with largely African-American populations. With few student media opportunities in Indianapolis schools, Urban Media Project’s staff of IPS alumni will lead student participants in developing a vision for the community inspired by the life of Dr. Martin Luther King and the words of Robert Kennedy.

Urban Media Project brought its “Speak Your Truth“ session to the Student Council at Arsenal Tech on Feb. 21. Tech alumni and UMP staff Donnovan Nance, October Kniess and Myron Russell led a discussion on the young people’s views regarding racism, violence and solutions.

A 1963 Tech grad, Abie talked to the students about the impact of the speech on his life and its legacy today. This is the first of several planned Speak Your Truth sessions to give young people a voice and a forum to collaborate, communicate and commemorate the 50^th anniversary of Kennedy’s speech and King’s death April 4, 2018.

Back to 1968 – shortly before Kennedy’s plane landed in Indianapolis, the senator learned Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.

Change in script.

City officials and his own staff warned Kennedy they couldn’t guarantee his safety in the predominately black part of Indianapolis, but he insisted on going and rewrote his speech on the way from the airport.

 

“I have some very sad news for all of you, and, I think, sad news for all of our fellow citizens, and people who love peace all over the world; and that is that Martin Luther King was shot and was killed tonight in Memphis, Tennessee,” Kennedy said. “Martin Luther King dedicated his life to love and to justice between fellow human beings. He died in the cause of that effort. In this difficult day, in this difficult time for the United States, it’s perhaps well to ask what kind of a nation we are and what direction we want to move in.”

For Abie that direction took a 360-degree turn – full circle.

“I think a lot about what he said that night and how I came from there to here,” he said. Here is in a small office with a window that frames the Kennedy-King Memorial at 17^th and Broadway.

Abie’s official title is manager of Kennedy-King Memorial Park and director of senior programs for Indy Parks. But the mission of his heart is carrying on the legacy and sharing the impact of Kennedy and King’s legacies.

He speaks to students from nearby schools, including IPS School 29, Herron High School, the Oakes Academy and Charity Dye Elementary, as well as working with Desmond Tutu fellows from Butler University and the Christian Theological Seminary.

Robinson just recently returned from his tenth mission trip to Liberia, West Africa, where he supports an orphanage ministry that assists college-aged orphans to continue their education. “I’m fascinated by the fact that I now manage the city park where my commitment to service began.” He and Linda, his wife of 38 years, have raised three children and have two grandchildren.

Kennedy’s words still resonate in his daily life.

“What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black.”

Many credit Kennedy’s speech with making a difference that night in Indianapolis. When other cities erupted in riots and violence, Indianapolis remained quiet and calm.

“What I realized that night of Kennedy’s speech was how every individual can make a difference,” Abie said.

“We can move in that direction as a country, in greater polarization black people amongst blacks, and white amongst whites, filled with hatred toward one another,” Kennedy said on April 4, 1968. “Or we can make an effort, as Martin Luther King did, to understand, and to comprehend, and replace that violence, that stain of bloodshed that has spread across our land, with an effort to understand, compassion, and love.”

Martin Luther King was 39 when he was killed and his important accomplishments and the milestones of the Civil Rights movement came when young people demanded the rights and freedoms embedded in the Constitution. Kennedy and King’s words now echo across half a century as a new generation takes the lead in charting America’s future course.

To help young people in Indianapolis “Speak Their Truth,” or to host a session for your school or organization, contact Donna Griffin, founder and CEO Dani’s Dreams Innovation in Education Corp. at info@danisdreamscorp.org or log on to www.danisdreamscorp.org.

 

 

 

Stop the social media foolishness!

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While much of social media may seem harmless, Samantha Pounds and Janelle Cissell of Dreamstyle Media told Urban Media Project students July 12 that such “foolishness” on social media can either make or break you.

“Social media can make or break you,” Cissell said. “Especially, if you’re posting fight videos, with cuss words in it and other uncouth things. This foolishness can mess up chances for future employment or to start a business – it just really hinders you.”

Both PR professionals stopped in at the Urban Media Project camp at the Upward Bound Summer Academy July 12 to lend their expertise to the students’ final multimedia presentations.

The IPS alumni (Cissell from Tech and Pounds from Broad Ripple) graciously took time out to pay it forward to the Upward Bound students from inner city high schools.

Cissell came on board with Dreamstyle at the beginning of this year. Pounds formed the company in 2012 right after graduating from Indiana State University.

A dynamo go-getter, just four years after graduation, PR girl Pounds is not only a successful small business owner, she also is the author of “Love Falls on Deaf Ears and Hears Clearly,” the story of how she found her fiancee Clark Howard.

Navigating the world of social media is at the heart of a Public Relations career, and both Pounds and Cissell, talked about how quickly social media has changed over the last decade.

“Most people go to social media for fact checking and  most of our clients utilize social media,” Cissell said. “There was no social media when I was in college, we just got dial up email, so as an adult, I had to learn about social media.”

In addition to staying away from foolishness, the two PR pros offered quick tips for social media creators.

1. Be conscious about the impact of your posts – it could affect the most important aspects of your like.
2. If you want to be successful in Public Relations, you need to know journalism basics and have a good relationship with journalists so you know what journalists want.

1. Public relations professionals help clients shine the light of the media on their business or event, or as Cissell puts it:

“You can stand on the corner and yell, ‘Hey I’m selling T-shirts,’ or you can hire us to stand on corner for you – that’s what we do as PR people.”

 

Urban Media reporters listen to a legend

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By Donna Griffin, director, Urban Media Project

On the third road trip for the Urban Media Project this summer, our reporters didn’t let a little 90 degree-plus weather and a 30-minute walk stop them from their assignment to interview a legend and an expert in sports media.

“You didn’t tell me this…he’s pretty cool,” De’Monie leaned in to whisper as Quinn Buckner continued his combination motivational speech/sermon/lecture to Urban Media Project students July 11 at a Behind-the-Scenes tour of Banker’s Life Fieldhouse.

The College Basketball Hall of Famer is one of three people in men’s basketball to win a championship at every level – and together with Pacers Director of Media Relations David Benner, the two shared “inside information” from their combined more than a half century of experience in sports and sports media.

Currently Buckner is a TV analyst for the Pacers and works as Vice President of Communications for Pacers Sports & Entertainment. He was captain of the 1976 Indiana University Hoosiers, the last team to win an NCAA championship with a perfect season in men’s basketball. He also captained the 1976 Olympic team that won the gold medal and was a member of the 1984 NBA champion Boston Celtics. In high school he won two Illinois state championships.

Benner was somewhat prophetic in his opening remarks. The sports journalist spent 16 years at The Indianapolis Star and covered the Pacers for eight when he met then Pacers President and GM Donnie Walsh who asked him to come on board for the hometown team.

“In your life you never know who you’re going to meet that’s going to open a door for you,” Benner told the students. “So, no matter what college you go to, what school go to, you might meet somebody who will open a door for you down the road…that’s what happened to me.”

And several students that day echoed Benner’s sentiments, stepping up to pull both Benner and Buckner aside to learn more about communication and gain the benefits of their career and life experiences.

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UMP Student Report

Behind the Camera: Quinn Buckner

By Audree McNeeley N and Michelle Sanchez

“I’m not the main attraction…”

     Quinn Buckner is from Phoenix, Illinois. Buckner is one of the three to win high school, college, Olympic and professional championships and was captain of the 1976 NCAA champion undefeated IU basketball team. Buckner later became a sports broadcaster for the Indiana Pacers

     Buckner gave  Urban Media Project reporters tips, and he also taught them to face their fears. “Pay the price and do it,” he said, “Be proud of who you are.”

      Buckner taught the students that if they don’t experience unwanted outcomes then they will never learn.  He also told them, “Minorities have to stay on point,” because in the media minorities are always being criticized the most.

Both Benner and Buckner urged the students to strategically use social media and focus on constructive use of the power of journalism.

“You have to communicate in a way that the audience can receive the information,” Buckner said. “In the neighborhood, you’re killing the King’s English – you can’t do it – ‘ain’t, naw, uh…’ it doesn’t work because the audience will be uncomfortable. Those are the kind of things you have to think about.”

Buckner related the challenges he experienced while breaking into broadcasting, and also about his short stint as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.

“I believe there is no such thing as a failure, it’s an un-worked out problem and you have to fix it. I strongly suggest you get that type of approach to your lives, because there’s none of the adults here who have not had problems. You’re going to have problems.”

 

UMP Student Report

By Adrian Sanchez

     As I walked into the room, I felt chills coming down my spine because I was asking questions to a basketball legend. Once Quinn Buckner walked in the room, everybody got tense, the only thing you could hear were the air vents. The other students and I were all asking questions until Quinn just stopped everything and corrected everyone in a learning kind of way.

     One of the first things he said was, “The only tool you need is technology because people a long time ago didn’t have what we have in today’s generation.”

     One thing he said that really caught my attention was, “You’re going to have problems and you have to conquer them and move forward.”

     Quinn Buckner pointed at me to stand up to talk to him and he asked me what do I want to do in the future and I told him, “I want to be a poet.” I started to explain why I wanted to become a poet, then he looked at me with a smile, making me realize anything is possible if you’re willing to put in the work.

 

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Even with all his success, for Buckner, the tough times remain an indelible impression.

“Yes, I’m one of three people in men’s basketball who’s won a championship at every level – I’ve been blessed – and frankly, it’s an out-of-body experience. I don’t take myself too seriously, first of all, but I do understand it allows me to have these kinds of conversations. I try to have them seriously and openly. I wasn’t any different than you; I was a shy kid. I haven’t always had success, but I always believed I would have it, and therefore I worked for it.”

And with the obligatory cross-court walk on the way out of Banker’s Life, there’s no better way to end the visit than with a slam dunk.

 

Exploring favorite Hoosier things…

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Indiana in 200 Objects

By Jazmyne Keyes

The Indiana in 200 Objects exhibit shows the history of Indiana in many ways, whether it is sports, fashion or even fossils.

“I really enjoyed all the parts that had to do with sports, whether it is was the dress, the jersey from the Indiana Fever or the rings won by the Crispus Attucks basketball team,” said Linda Jones, who attended the exhibit.

Sports objects in the Indiana State Museum exhibit were among the favorites of those viewing the objects.

“My favorite object was the South Bend Blue Sox uniform because to me it showed women’s empowerment,” said Christa, another person attending the exhibit. The uniform worn by Helen Filarski was an interesting piece because it showed the evolution of the world in a way. Women were never really thought of as athletic; it as always a man thing. During World War II, the professional male players were sent to fight. Women stepped up to show how athletic they really were while still looking feminine. Helen Filarski was an infielder and outfielder who played from 1945 to 1950. The women who played in the All American League broke the social norms of the day.

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Medical objects show Indiana’s impact on medicine

By Diamond Lomax

A brain, joint replacements, Prozac – these are just a few of the 200 objects that show the significant impact Indiana has had on medicine.

The objects are in the Indiana State Museum as part of the Indiana in 200 Objects exhibit. “This exhibition will introduce significant moments, events, artifacts and people from Indiana’s past and present, as well as present our state’s amazing natural history,” said Dale Ogden, chief curator of history and culture at the museum. “The experience will showcase the breadth and depth of Indiana’s history including its contributions to the nation and the world.”

The most interesting medical object at the museum is the human brain. The human brain belonged to a young man ,who was shot in the head, in the Spanish-American War in 1898. The Central State Hospital treated the young soldier and he died and kept his brain for research.

Among the most recent objects were the joint replacements in 2015. Warsaw made joints implants using wood then metal. Over time the medical technology has improved. “Arthritis and injuries in an aging population are increasing demand for orthopedic medical devices including artificial hip and knee joints and spinal parts,” according to the Indiana State Museum.

The world changing medicine in 1988 was Prozac. The development of Prozac affected depression medicine worldwide. Dr. David Wong helped the world see Prozac as a good thing for depression. The name redefined how people thought of depression. “Forty million patients worldwide, including one in 10 Americans, suffered from depression,” according to the Indiana State Museum.

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By De’Monie Johnson

A Ku Klux Klan chaplain’s robe worn by the Huntingburg chief of police in 1979 is being displayed as part of the Indiana in 200 Objects: A Bicentennial Celebration exhibit as a reminder of one of the darker periods of Indiana’s history.

In the 1920s, things weren’t so nice and friendly in Indiana. There were over 500,000 Ku Klux Klan members, including the mayor of Indianapolis and governor of Indiana. The clan got smaller over the years but still existed in the 1970s when this robe was worn.

Since this dark past, Indiana has changed its ways to see a brighter present. Barb, an Indianapolis native, doesn’t think of the Klan when she thinks of Indiana.

“When I think of Indiana, what do I think of first?” Barb said. “Friendly people, good people, hardworking people.”

Another Indianapolis native said that Indianapolis was boring when he was a child but now it’s popping.

“These past couple of years, downtown has been pretty good,” he said. “A lot of new stuff is popping up. City living is in the air.”

Brynden, a museum employee, said she loves Indiana and all of the museums and parks.

 “It’s really nice how much Hoosier pride everyone has,” she said.

 

By Audree Nealy

Upward Bound’s Urban Media class visited the State Museum June 21. The Indiana State Museum is celebrating 200 years by portraying it in 200 objects. Indiana is known for people like James Dean and Michael Jackson. But, we have yet to hear about the dark past of Indiana’s history. The State Museum was one of the first they have visited to tell the back story of Belle Gunness, and the Ku Klux Klan leader of Indiana.

Above (to the left) is Belle Gunness. Gunness is a Norwegian immigrant who is known for her infamous schemes and murder  to collect life insurance. In the middle, is the robe of the 1979 leader of the Indiana KKK. And to the right is a picture of two African-American males who were lynched for unknown reasons during segregation times.

This few objects show some of the not so happy times in Indiana.

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Izzy Stradlin: Indiana Kid

By Thomas Elder

Indiana has many famous musicians, including Michael Jackson and Kenneth Brian Edmonds, also known as Babyface, and among these is famous guitarist Izzy Stradlin.

Izzy Stradlin is a guitarist for the legendary band Guns N’ Roses. He was born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana. You can find his guitar in Indiana State Museum for the new exhibit, “Indiana in 200 Objects”. He has used this guitar to make his songs with and to practice.

“Every guitarist from Indiana is going to have to be compared to Izzy Stradlin. He’s a legend,” museum visitor Nathan said. “I remember listening to Guns N’ Roses, and remembering asking who was the guitarist. After going to this exhibit, I learned that my childhood band’s guitarist was raised in Indiana.”

“Growing up listening to Guns N’ Roses was something that I will remember,” Jill, who attended the exhibit, said. “Now. knowing that Izzy Stradlin is a Hoosier; I am proud to know we have many famous musicians from Indiana.”

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Beating the 22-second rule – connecting with readers

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The seminal week of the Urban Media Project camp at Upward Bound at IUPUI finished with a flourish.  Our reporters rocked – conducting Man-on-the-Street and one-on-one interviews and talking to IndyStar Managing Editor Ronnie Ramos about the future of journalism in a digital world. ‪#‎makingmediathatmatters‬‪#‎eagerandenergeticyoungreporters‬

Check out these reports from the first assignment and find out more about what it takes to connect with readers in a fast-paced information age:

By De’Monie Johnson

Indy Star managing editor Ronnie Ramos spoke to IUPUI Upward Bound students June 16 at the Indy Star office about what is it like to be an editor.

ln the Interview, Ramos explained that the world has changed drastically since he started in the news business. Ramos said that most newspaper businesses are done online and that has changed how consumers read stories.

“The engaged time is 22 seconds and that is the average amount of time someone spends on a story, so the headlines are critical,” Ramos said.

As the managing editor, Ramos looks for specific talent in the journalists he interviews and hires.

“The first things I look for is intelligence because you can’t teach intelligence,” Ramos said. “The second thing is versatility and drive because you need people in this business who are self-motivated.”

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By Audree Nealy

“The first couple of lines is what makes the story,” IndyStar Managing Editor Ronnie Ramos said. ”So within that short amount time reporter have to tell the reader the important stuff – what really matters”.

On June 16, Upward Bound’s Urban Media class visited the Indy Star, and spoke to Ramos, who gave the class tips and tricks about the journalism business.

In the future he said with the influence of technology, journalism will be mainly be “…on your phones, and tablets.”

Ramos said unique content is good for news and most reporters only have on average of 22 seconds to get the reader interested.

“It’s not hard to get a job…if you’re good.”

Ramos has been working with the Indy Star for 37 years. He started off as a sports journalist and ended up being a managing editor.

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By Jazmyne Keyes

Ronnie Ramos, managing editor of the Indy Star, taught the students of Upward Bound about what it takes to get the information out, to be a journalist and covering everyday life.

“I know what you’re reading online, for how long and what you think,” Ramos said. Students learned that on average a writer has 22 second to get a person’s attention before they leave the page.

Each story is different and you never know what you’re going to get. Getting the most important information out within the first 22 seconds is challenging, and that is why Ronnie Ramos said being a journalist is, “Unpredictable because you never know what will happen. You must be flexible.”

He also went on to say a journalist must be “intelligent and that can’t be taught. They must be driven and versatile.”

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By Allen Johnson

Managing editor of Indy Star Ronnie Ramos spoke this past Thursday at the Indy Star offices about journalism in today’s world and what it takes to be a good journalist.

Ramos talked about how if you don’t put in time and have something to show, you won’t make it in today’s industry.

“I only hire based on experience,” Ramos said.

To be successful, reporters should when he was up and coming, Ramos worked on the school newspaper in middle school through college.

Ramos talked about how reporters should put their opinion aside because their opinions don’t matter.

“You can’t be biased; you have to show both sides.”

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