Open Lines with Cameron Ridle

It's the end of the month and that mean's it's an All Open Lines Sunday. Callers voice their thoughts on gun violence in Indy, the evacuation in Afghanistan, and COVID-19 infections increasing in Indiana.

Plus we say farewell to WTHR Channel 13 Reporter Steve Jefferson as he leaves Indy after 19 years and accepts a new job at WFAA-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.

This edition of Open Lines is all about your money!

WALMART IS HIRING:

Walmart is hiring for well-paying jobs in the Indianapolis area. Walmart is hosting on Wednesday, August 25. You can find more information on Walmart jobs here: https://careers.walmart.com/

AKA'S VIRTUAL SHARK TANK:

The Alpha Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated will host the 2nd Annual Youth Entrepreneur Shark Tank event. Students grades 8-12 will engage in 6 - 8 weeks of business workshops on how to start a business.

Interested students should register by September 7, 2021 at http://tinyurl.com/IEIAMOSharkTank21.

TRACKING YOUR MONEY:

Then Financial Advisor India Elliott explains how to count, save and keep your money. For more information send her an email at [email protected] or call her at 317-640-9903.

Pacers Sports and Entertainment is hiring!

They need everyone from Ushers to Guest Services to Video Production Crews to apply to work over 550 events hosted at Bankerslife Field House. They're hosting a job fair Pacers Sports & Entertainment Job Fair Tuesday, August 10, 2021, from 4pm-7pm at the Madame Walker Theater, 617 Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis, IN.

You can also apply online at https://www.teamworkonline.com/basketball-jobs/pacers/pacers-sports-entertainment

Plus we introduce you to Jeff Williams of Be Nimble. That's the organization behind Indy's Pardi Gras Party in March and The Garden Pardi in the Summer. The events by Be Nimble have been a success. We talk to Williams about the purpose behind the parties.

[Due to a technical malfunction part of the conversation with Jeff Williams was cut off and not recorded] You can learn more about Be Nimble here: https://www.benimbleco.com/

Advancing Tech at Martin University:

As we talked about last week, there are a lot of jobs out there, but just because there’s a job it doesn’t man your qualified for it. But Martin University and Eleven-Fifty Academy wants to help you change that with their advancing tech program.

That’s any skill set that is now part of every single industry. Everything you do or every place you go has a website or an app…which needs someone to run and build it. Many of the jobs can be done remotely and they pay good money. On this edition of Open Lines we have information that can help get you there!

Someone You Should Know: Belinda Drake

It’s time to introduce a new segment on Open Lines, it’s called “Someone You Should Know.” Where we introduce you to a Hoosier is cool, doing something cool or is on their way to being someone cool. These are the people you want to know before they reach the top, so you can see they’re growth and maybe one day say, you knew them when. This month’s person you should know is Belinda Drake.

Get some Love DelivHERed! Nominate a Central Indiana woman for a gift, a professional house cleaning, or a room to be redecorated as a mini sanctuary. SEND YOUR NOMINATION HERE: https://www.loveherleague.com/

It's the last Friday of the month which means, it's time for a morning of hot topics. We start with the story Ta’Neasha Chappel

Chappel, 23, died in the Jackson County Jail in Southern Indiana. Both stories are some you should keep an eye on.

Meanwhile the Governor is trying to stop the extra $300 in unemployment coming from the federal government. He says it's keeping Hoosiers from going back to work. But is that really the case? Our listeners weigh in.

Controversy at the Library!

Indianapolis Recorder reporter Breanna Cooper has been covering claims of discrimination and calls for change at the Indianapolis Public Library. The allegations include racism particularly against Black Women in various levels of leadership…along with claims of discrimination to staff and guests of other races. This all first exploded at a virtual board meeting last month and since then there have been calls from union members and library staff for a change in library leadership.

Breanna Cooper from the Indianapolis Recorder joins us on our live line this morning to explain what’s going on and what the library is saying.

READ BREANNA'S REPORTING HERE: https://indianapolisrecorder.com/author/breanna-cooper/

7-House and ArtWay hosts PardiWay on Thursday

It is Pardi Week in Indianapolis! We’ve told you about the big Garden Pardi our friends at Be Nimble are hosting this Saturday. The proceeds of that event help fund start-up companies for Black business owners in Indianapolis. Leadring up to that sold out event is week of events for you to visit.

There was a black-owned clothing summit last night…today is “Sunday Funday” with Wine, Music and Food tasting today from 2 to 5 pm. Friday features a Pop-up Sip and Shop with local business owners showcasing their music, food, fashion and more.

But before that on Thursday is PardiWay The Festival it’s a collaborative art show but with a twist. From 7pm until 11…organizers from the organization 7-House and ArtWay will host PardiWay featuring visual artists, creatives who are fashion oriented as well as culinary artists all under one roof while hearing your favorite hip-hop and R&B music. If you like art, food, fashion or music, PardiWay is where you need to be Thursday Night!

Joining us on the Live Line this morning is Kenny Walton, he is the Founder of 7-House and ArtWay. Also on the line is Co-Founder Grant Simms, and Director of Marketing and Entertainment Dymond Spells.

LEARN MORE ABOUT "PARDIWAY THE FEST" HERE: https://pardiwaythefest.splashthat.com/

Marion Co. Prosecutor Ryan Mears joins us for a conversation about violence in Indianapolis. We discuss the increasing rate of violent crime, prosecuting marijuana cases and much more.

Listeners give their thoughts on how to stop violent crime in Indianapolis.

Darrianne Christians has been elected as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Newfields, making her the first Black woman to have that role at the Newfields, and one of just a handful of Black women in that job across the nation. She joins us on Open Lines for the first time as she starts her new job, immediately after Newfields made national headlines for the wrong reasons.

Plus Dress for Success is hosting a silent dance party of Monument Circle. Hear how showing up can help an Indianapolis get the clothes she needs while beginning a new job.

This special edition of 'Open Lines with Cameron Ridle' is paid for by the Indianapolis Urban League and African American Coalition of Indianapolis as part of the Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative.

Funded through a $100 million grant from the Lilly Endowment, the Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative is on a listening tour, asking Hoosier where they think the $100 Million should be spent.

We spend an hour taking calls, which are part of the official survey and conversation led by The Indianapolis Urban League in partnership with the African American Coalition of Indianapolis.

You can take the online survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QualityofLifeIndy2021