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Thank You

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We, Hoosiers: A Shared Future

Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM

International District Community Center

#IndyCLS2025

INDIANA'S
CHANGING
LANDSCAPE
SUMMIT

Agenda

9:30 - 10:00 AM | Coffee, Community, & Conversation

Main Hall

10:00 - 10:15 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks

Main Hall

  • Patrick Armstrong, Host

  • Bruce Garrison, Chief Executive Officer, Patchwork Indy

10:20 - 11:00 AM | Where We've Been

Breakout Session 1

Breakout Session 1:

1A. Migration & Demographics: A Data Deep Dive

Classroom 1

A closer look at who makes up Indiana today, with a focus on population shifts, newcomer communities, and long-term demographic trends shaping the state's future.

  • Silvia Garcia, Director of Research and Assessment, Indiana University Indianapolis Office of Community Engagement

1B. Different Journeys, Shared Struggles: African American & Newcomer Voices in Dialogue

Community Room

A facilitated conversation circle led by Lisa Inks (Urban-Rural Action) connecting African American and immigrant leaders, exploring common struggles and opportunities for solidarity.

  • Lisa Inks, Urban-Rural Action

  • Madam Ambassador Dr. Angela J. Nealy, United Nations Peace Ambassador NGO ECOSOC

  • Tierra Sims, Indy Chamber

  • Bill Turner, Turnco Consulting

  • Kizito Kalima, Peace Center for Forgiveness and Reconciliation

  • Lateef Bello, Indianapolis Muslim Community Association

  • Dr. Ghulam H. Halimi, Afghan American Community Center

1C. Advocacy & Policy: Why Engagement Matters

Classroom 2

A discussion on how advocacy and civic engagement have shaped Indiana’s policies over time—from civil rights to community development—and why active participation remains essential to driving progress for all Hoosiers.

  • Karla Munive Lima, Director of Mexican and Latin American Affairs, Patchwork Indy

  • Danielle Coulter, Dant Advocacy

  • Adam Mueller, Indiana Justice Project

1D. International Relationships & Belonging in Indiana

Main Hall

A panel exploring how global ties — through trade, sister cities, diplomacy, and cultural exchange — enrich Indiana’s economy, culture, and sense of belonging.

  • Craig-Anesu Chigadza, Senior Planner - Community Engagement, City of Indianapolis

  • Dr. Toby Malichi, Founding Executive Chairman and Global Managing Director Global Chamber Indianapolis, Malichi Group Worldwide

11:05 - 11:45 AM | Taking Stock of the Landscape

Breakout Session 2

Breakout Session 2:

2A. Unlocking Talent: A Coordinated Approach to Workforce Inclusion for Indiana’s Newcomers

Classroom 1

An evidence-informed case for state-level coordination to advance workforce inclusion and economic opportunity for newcomers across Indiana.

  • Denise Bell, Senior Fellow, Niskanen Center

2B. Welcoming Communities: Building Pathways of Belonging

Classroom 2

A panel highlighting barriers to health care across Indiana — from rural hospitals to urban clinics — and innovative solutions to create a healthier, more equitable state.

  • Bruce Garrison, Chief Executive Officer, Patchwork Indy

  • Dietchyne Aimè, Senior Community Engagement Manager, Alzheimer's Association

  • Dr. Halima Al-Khattab, Behavioral Health Clinician, MTI - School of Knowledge

  • Patricia Pigman, Infant Mortality Prevention Coordinator, Columbus Regional Health

2C. Welcoming Communities: Building Pathways of Belonging

Community Room

A focused presentation highlighting how civic engagement, intentional workforce connections, and welcoming strategies can create pathways of belonging and long-term integration success.

  • Kari McDonough, Vice President, Senior Advisor to the Welcome Fund, Welcome.US

2D. Statewide Stories from Across Indiana

Main Hall

This panel lifts up stories from communities across the state, sharing how communities are responding to change, and strengthening community life. Panelists will highlight place-based perspectives on common challenges and innovative solutions, showing how Indiana’s diverse towns and cities are shaping a more welcoming and resilient future together.

  • Keegan Schmicker, Mayor, City of Tipton

  • Khalid Siddiq, Education Abroad Budget & Technology Specialist, Indiana State University

  • Rui Gui, Welcoming Initiative Coordinator, Amani Family Services

  • Rendy Schrader, Senior Director, International Student and Scholar Programs and Initiatives, Indiana University Bloomington

Keynote Address

11:050 AM - 12:05 PM | Keynote Address

Main Hall

  • Chris Martin, Mayor, City of Logansport

12:10 - 12:50 PM | Global Table Lunch

Main Hall

1:00 - 1:35 PM | The Arts of Belonging

Main Hall

Performances by Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and Sreemala Murthy

Coalition Working Groups

1:45 - 2:25 PM | Building Forward

Coalition Strategy Working Groups:

Participants will join one of the three coalition working groups to shape next-step strategies for Indiana's welcoming future. Facilitated by Community Solutions.

Group 1. Licensing, Credentialing, & Workforce Pathways

Classroom 1

Group 2. Civic & Community Development

Classroom 2

Group 3. Language Access Solutions

Community Room

2:30 - 3:00 PM | Closing Reflections & Commitments

Main Hall

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