This week on The Black Briefing Podcast, we sat down with Ben Tapper, Chief Diversity and Equity Officer for the City of Indianapolis. In this conversation, Ben shares the winding road that led him into the Office of Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion, what it really means to do equity work inside city government, and why the new BIRTH Fund matters for families across Indy. If you're curious about how public policy, community voice, and real-life impact come together behind the scenes, this episode is your front-row seat.

Links: Ben's Office: https://www.indy.gov/agency/office-of...

Media: https://mirrorindy.org/indianapolis-t...

Apply for BIRTH Fund: https://bridgeproject.typeform.com/to...

🎧 Listen, learn, and tap in. Like, comment, and share to keep these stories moving. #TheBlackBriefing #BenTapper #Indianapolis #EquityWork #BirthFund #BlackMedia #CommunityStories #IndyPolitics

It's a long one!

Inside joke: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15fm8RXZ6h/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Greg & WildStyle on Press Tours?

!Create Pod:https://youtu.be/teJ1UZ-SL1Y?si=lgV6SAFujfBnjLop

Cameron Ridle Show: Part 1: https://youtu.be/HfKVGNjCVS0?si=dasAYfbmw8-l4Jde

Part 2: https://youtu.be/7upuzy7uhfg?si=YVaoYHrphuOSGMMA

Part 3: https://youtu.be/KGw0L2QC98Q?si=305yFN-x46QDSKn_

Time as a Tactic(Curfew & City Council meeting & Reunification Center): https://mirrorindy.org/impd-announces-downtown-safe-space-for-kids-out-past-curfew/

Braun says Police are doing their job, but everybody else needs to do theirs: https://www.wishtv.com/news/i-team-8/indiana-governor-braun-gun-violence/

Hogsett Defends Record & Snyder Calls for a "Recall Vote for Prosecutor & Judges at least" : https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2025/07/16/indianapolis-mayor-joe-hogsett-says-violence-is-down-after-gov-brauns-criticism/85239244007/

Don't Feed After Midnight https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indianapolis-new-rules-late-night-food-trucks-after-mass-shooting-sparks-debate/531-bb71e7ed-dc60-4cfa-9e42-07dd8e5d0a5c

New But Familiar(Graves Allegations/StepDown) https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/11/indianapolis-city-county-councilor-response-keith-graves-allegations-maggie-lewis/84616375007/

Republicans Call Out Dems for being nasty. https://mirrorindy.org/keith-graves-indianapolis-democrat-eastside-councilor-assault-allegations/

$27 Million of New Spending on Old Promises https://mirrorindy.org/indianapolis-city-county-council-road-funding-snow-removal/

Wildstyle & The Challenger - Itemized Receipts: https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00901975/1903196/sa/11AI/2

Piers Morgan Clip: https://youtu.be/61MmsY9bYQQ?si=jGr5i6RYQbI5oW9V

Update: George Israel Policy: https://www.georgehornedo.com/israelpolicy?fbclid=IwY2xjawLp6Z1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhcktsa1BFNTRIRktFdUZHAR67-qW06FWPmy6-9ROUu2Qlnw4vbUPou7yn4wEJyYJIvWHABuPaS3e4nV4Row_aem_5L1BXUI7FrwNXN2VHfwlIw

Jesse tries to Remove VOP & Ali https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2025/07/08/indianapolis-city-county-council-leadership-vote-osili-cook-investigations/84499999007/

Rundown: Churches Are Still Homophobic https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2025/07/13/pride-protest-erupts-after-sure-foundation-baptist-church-calls-lgbtq-community-disgusting/84614884007/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLlbMdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHknh4hn2_4DeviXdsfhn6YDYl1l-zJzw1ASBgqZf18qZtDXFkZFVSrvoYMGT_aem_bTHpcoaJKC-RqaKz93QwJA#bhhan0ssewp41d3u1uxcym2pdtf7up6xd

Canal Village? https://mirrorindy.org/indianapolis-housing-developer-backlash-northwest-landing-bwi-gary-hobbs/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLlbA1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHgpLkH0is1IHB_9RlS7GyFAdBqimpcsHFvZ7TToRs2zQYQN5DSYEbexJrMgc_aem_ii_kEyvm5X23DoyIUv47i

https://mirrorindy.org/indianapolis-housing-developer-backlash-northwest-landing-bwi-gary-hobbs/

Trump Admin's gonna Incinerate Food 😩 https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2025/07/usaid-emergency-food-incinerate-trump/683532/ Sam Keeps Going to SCC Meetings

😩 Blue Wave Weekend? Fudge?

Amp Harris on Cameron Ridle Show: https://youtu.be/cW5xE1lH2s

This week we had the pleasure of chatting with Councilor Ali Brown about her role as VP of the CCC, the recent investigation into the Hogsett Administration, and the call for her to step down as a leader of the council.

For Reference:

Backstory: https://mirrorindy.org/vop-osili-lauren-roberts-city-county-council-indianapolis-joe-hogsett-thomas-cook-fisher-phillips/

Hogsett Admin Investigation Report: https://us-east-1-indy.graphassets.com/ActDBC5rvRWeCZlNNnLrDz/cmb9xrgd01h0407lrf5mziz4o

Carlino's Statement & Ali's Response: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FJUo2gq6M/

The Receipts! If I'm missing anything, let me know! I

MPD's Hands-On Approach Link to video: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2025/06/25/indianapolis-police-viral-arrest-videos-devin-hunt/84247495007/

Activation Call with CRT

Whitley's Post: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16hKiZkpaD/

Tracking Indy's Homicides: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2025/01/03/indianapolis-homicide-tracker-2025-shootings-stabbings-trauma/76448808007/

Year Over Year Comparison: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2025/06/20/2025-monthly-homicides-down-compared-to-indianapolis-killings-last-year-impd-preparing-for-summer/84011738007/

Carlino Pushes for More Link to Statements: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FJUo2gq6M/ Article: https://mirrorindy.org/crista-carlino-joe-hogsett-resignation-indianapolis-harassment-investigation-vop-osili/

Ali & Carlino Interviews Ali: https://youtu.be/HbgAQJhCuq8

Carlino: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:54786feb-5b7c-4690-8904-36214ec7fdfa

GR 41: https://www.indy.gov/api/v1/indy_proposal_document?content_type=application/pdf&id=18814&name=PROP24-287&type=1&link_id=3&can_id=4efff9de4a991be256415b5ec1da872e&source=email-investigations-and-justice&email_referrer=&email_subject=investigations-and-justice

IBJ Says Scope was different from what was provided publicly vs the "Engagement Memo" signed by VOP(pay wall): https://www.ibj.com/articles/investigative-firm-says-mayors-texts-outside-scope-of-investigation-did-not-violate-policies?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=IBJ%20Daily&utm_id=47848471

Fisher Phillips Contract: https://fox59.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2025/06/Fisher-Phillips-Contract-01.pdf

Faegre(firm the city hired to turnover investigation materials): https://fox59.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2025/06/Faegre-12062024-Griffin-Sex-Harrassment-Hogsett-40K-1.pdf

Carlino Voted Out?

Article: https://indypolitics.org/carlino-removed-from-caucus/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLLVnRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFGYmxRcE9QQTFxUkVnaWlSAR67fWNsZ0I6aOWQxiCyZiHq4C7YVtCVPuQRmwn4wUUHALBvq8IJKoKVfiazZw_aem_bp4quA9Dg813AG9vpxNLQA

Carlino Statement/"Apology": https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/25/council-member-crista-carlino-removed-democratic-caucus/84356554007/

VOP & The Money Machine

"38th Street Renaissance": https://www.nbofi.com/38th-street-renaissance-alliance

FHCCI Email: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yJyoYkKC72EQgJLSxpYoczzZnVz-uocR/view?usp=sharing

Facebook Photo: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16XziAchxs/

$300,000 Pieces of Silver https://sdvoice.info/targets-partnership-with-national-baptist-convention-backfires/

https://www.yahoo.com/news/national-baptist-convention-president-under-203000311.html

Impeach by Any Means Necessary

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/26/andre-carson-sponsors-trump-articles-of-impeachment-iran/84367283007/

The Report - Fisher Philips Report link: https://us-east-1-indy.graphassets.com/ActDBC5rvRWeCZlNNnLrDz/cmb9xrgd01h0407lrf5mziz4o

Committee Meeting Report Out Video Link: https://indianapolis.granicus.com/player/clip/24845

Lauren Roberts Substack with all 49 pages submitted to Fisher Phillips: https://open.substack.com/pub/laurenkayroberts/p/all-49-pages-of-my-written-statement?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Poetic Justice Indy Star Article: https://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/columnists/james-briggs/2025/06/06/hogsett-texts-women-toxic-culture-investigation-sexual-harassment/84068842007/

Wish Tv Article: https://www.wishtv.com/news/i-team-8/indianapolis-mayor-texts-employee/

Council Meeting Link to watch Council Meeting: Lauren's full statement (2:15): https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AbzM8HY4H/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Mirror Indy Comprehensive Article: https://mirrorindy.org/vop-osili-lauren-roberts-city-county-council-indianapolis-joe-hogsett-thomas-cook-fisher-phillips/

The Non-Apology Mirror Indy Article about Samuel's statement: https://mirrorindy.org/city-county-council-president-vop-osili-statement-lauren-roberts-elise-shrock/

Ghost Riding the Mayor's Office Substack post by Matthew Gonzales: https://open.substack.com/pub/anongoingconcern/p/the-mayor-who-wasnt-there?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Can a mayor be removed? Article: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2024/09/10/indianapolis-mayor-joe-hogsett-impeachment-sexual-harassment-investigation/75146554007/

V.O.P. - Violence, Oppression, & Politics Jesse's Blog: https://www.jesseforindy.com/emailarchives/061225violence-oppression-and-politics

**Extras**

Russ McQuaid on Cameron Ridle's Show: https://youtu.be/UwUprIIFDgU?si=1qsBEXOQCigI3FZS

Sam & Greg on Cameron Ridle's Show: https://youtu.be/uF1ow3fBTTg https://youtu.be/XpaJt0fR3u4

**NEW UPDATE: IBJ Calls for Mayor to Step Down! https://www.ibj.com/articles/editorial-its-time-for-mayor-hogsett-to-let-someone-else-lead-indianapolis

Lawrence… Dem Strategy

WildStyle & The FOIA Request(s)

Council Responsibilities: https://www.indy.gov/agency/city-county-council

Find Your Councilor(Indy): https://maps.indy.gov/GovProfile/index.html?

Council Meeting with protesters: https://mirrorindy.org/indianapolis-city-county-council-protestors-gaza-war-documenters/

3/5ths of a Brain https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/28/lt-gov-micah-beckwith-indiana-praises-three-fifths-rule-compromise-what-he-said-clergy-responds/83324669007/

Nasty G & the kkk https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C9WRXCSmR/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Braun's Signing Bills ACLU suing Braun over IU Trustees https://www.wthr.com/article/news/politics/aclu-of-indiana-sue-governor-mike-braun-iu-board-of-trustees-house-enrolled-act-1001/531-69518c20-c5fa-4770-a05a-ee59cc0780a4

Bans Marijuana Ads in Indiana https://wtvbam.com/2025/05/07/796055/

Ivy Tech ends free Summer Classes for High Schoolers https://www.wthr.com/article/news/education/ivy-tech-ends-free-summer-classes-high-school-students-state-budget-cuts-crossing-the-finish-line-program/531-f1459dcb-7156-41b5-bcd6-75229d4c139e?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WTHR-TV&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR4PXpfXv-gXC6UJa_5UDt2MhW4N4QSMTX-T8R2qCLMvIRdtvJ_1BnVPJV4tbA_aem_sxwXbce1wiwrlUtVth5FFA#h12z6zv2mhkg2qxvmapfmk0z2j4dwd9ly

Sun bucks are Gone https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/05/07/a-giant-leap-backwards-indiana-opts-out-of-summer-program-for-hungry-schoolchildren/

Carson Challenged (Concerned Clergy Event on top of Carson's Event) https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/faith-leaders-condemn-lt-gov-beckwith-for-three-fifths-compromise-comment

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5240295-george-hornedo-andre-carson-indiana-challenger/

ILEA & The Mayor https://www.wishtv.com/news/local-news/indianapolis-local-education-alliance/

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/28/ips-schools-charter-indianapolis-local-education-alliance-exempt-open-door-law/83324506007/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR7jKVrL4ykdmUaGhwH4wiYq9UrGvIk5BLXBRbNmdBckbkW5XttqBdJH-R-EAg_aem_2AUSFLJL6m6zvbmmaELz4w#ca5pip7ls1v8nv3qqwn8g3uu7s45rf2

THE RUNDOWN

Voices is EMMY NOMINATED

Mirror Indy Gets Awards https://mirrorindy.org/national-headliner-awards-mirror-indy-emily-hopkins-reporter/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR7UtlndlpO_pm_-DTE7eKXjJYJaRo0AjE-wwfW0Ym7Yn8YtMdLeCWu4m8X1lQ_aem_g8qENvkrMyxUxxa0Q7BGjw

"Unleashing America's Law Enforcement"

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/strengthening-and-unleashing-americas-law-enforcement-to-pursue-criminals-and-protect-innocent-citizens/

"Indefinite Tabling" 👀 - https://mirrorindy.org/lena-hill-deputy-mayor-joe-hogsett-indianapolis-appointment-denied-leroy-robinson/

Amendment to Homelessness Bill: https://www.citact.org/news/2025-week-14-statehouse-report?fbclid=IwY2xjawJvv6dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFrdE9DcEtVcEFPMng3U1NEAR4i7_doFp2v1XB4l31Jox-Fp8_-E6GcjDBelxOD_SK6HudhJtRLJNbiUKLikw_aem_mf5_cQi4f96EH18c7E41LA

IGA UPDATE : Locking Up Our Unhoused folks & Defunding Trad Public Schools 💸 - https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/15/indiana-senate-property-tax-relief-bill-mike-braun-senate-bill-1-sb-1/83045300007/

https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/indiana-house-passes-bill-to-jail-homeless-persons/ Red For Ed Pics: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A9AaGPw8A/

Braun is a FOR REAL TRUMPER ☢️ - https://events.in.gov/event/-make-indiana-healthy-again

https://www.wthr.com/article/news/politics/indiana-gov-braun-signs-executive-orders-to-limit-welfare-spending-and-study-healthcare-issues-dr-oz-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-rfk-vaccines-snap-tanf/531-554337bb-3e49-45a4-ba69-db612831d99e

Black Mothers Mortality Rates: https://www.wishtv.com/news/multicultural-news/indiana-maternal-mortality-rates/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WISH-TV&fbclid=IwY2xjawJvv81leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFFa2xpSlo4N0syRENBV2dvAR4qmHVfYrYWpoNly4AUzZ3Uo7HTZA6u1MIcJbAsOl2I4pjg34fuUpWqT5mc4Q_aem_mlEWugKDj9q9JZafTX-Saw

ICRC Has New Leadership 🤷‍♀️ - https://www.in.gov/icrc/about-icrc/executive-director/

Dem Party STILL getting dragged for horrible sexual harassment response 😩 - https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/14/women-who-experienced-harassment-say-indiana-democrats-response-lacked/82703798007/

Republicans & Corruption: The Morales Arc - https://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/columnists/james-briggs/2025/04/04/diego-morales-90k-car-indiana-secretary-of-state-impeachment/82884158007/

In this episode, Wildstyle, Sam, & Greg run through some of the most impactful political and community topics since their last episode: https://youtu.be/S6wI18tJQwA?si=EoATZHsVgFgRFs11

Here's the rundown and links:

Blackout Follow-Up

https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2025/03/03/target-loses-and-costco-wins-in-web-traffic-on-feb-28-economic-blackout-day/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kirimasters/2025/03/02/amazon-defies-economic-blackout-as-sales-climb-during-boycott/

Deputy Mayor, Lena Hill confirmed by committee, still has top go to full committee Named Andrew Merkley at Director of OPHS https://mirrorindy.org/indianapolis-mayor-joe-hogsett-deputy-lena-hill-public-health-safety/

https://mirrorindy.org/mayor-hogsett-names-new-director-of-the-office-of-public-health-and-safety/#:~:text=Mayor%20Joe%20Hogsett%20on%20Friday,and%20Eviction%20Prevention%20within%20OPHS.

Lawrence Police Part II https://youtu.be/cDoCOTAJ-OU?si=e5igyXGu95qvZLpg

38th Street Development, bigger question about Housing development https://mirrorindy.org/proposed-indianapolis-apartment-complex-mixed-reactions-38th-street-keystone-avenue-purple-line/ Ed Dulaney SB518 Video /

History of Charters https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15v4LtjaGS/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Friendship MBC Vandalism - Uptick in Haughville Vandalism https://www.wishtv.com/news/crime-watch-8/indianapolis-vandalism-friendship-church/

Kevin Hart/MIke Epps - Hart Beat got a deal with Pacers & Fever, Culture driven experiences for Pacers and Fever July 18th-19th(WNBA Allstar weekend) https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/pacers-sports-entertainment-inks-first-of-its-kind-partnership-with-hartbeat

Indiana got some National Spotlight for Senator Greg Taylor and David N "Nez-godski" .'s sexual harassment allegations.

https://19thnews.org/2025/03/state-legislatures-sexual-misconduct/

RUNDOWN: Tindley Fraud https://www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025/02/26/tindley-ceo-brian-metcalf-pleads-guilty-fraud-indianapolis-charter-school/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3P84r_11HC8kgRwog_ScnXSKV5KHGiKU3hjPZ2jfkrvtjBNYo8WgOnUCQ_aem_gXoUasf43xyurvvc3KnBrA

Party Elections Results

https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/briefs/indiana-democrats-elect-tallian-others-as-new-leadership-team/

Hogsett Fundraiser - Is he running again? https://mirrorindy.org/indianapolis-mayor-joe-hogsett-fundraiser-donors-speculation-future-career/

Open Lines w/Cameron Ridle Mind Trust/IPS convo Mind Trust: https://soundcloud.com/openlinesshow/the-mind-trust-explains-the-ips-district-vs-public-charter-school-battle?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

IPS:

https://soundcloud.com/openlinesshow/open-lines-show-3-16-25?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

African American Coalition came out against SB518 https://www.indplsul.org/african-american-coalition-of-indianapolis-statement-on-education-funding/

In this episode of The Black Briefing, Sam, Wildstyle and Greg run through some of the most impactful political and community topics from Indy this month. Below are the links to everything discussed.

Lawrence Police Brutality: https://www.wthr.com/article/news/crime/lawrence-police-release-bodycam-video-viral-arrest/531-14afc4d3-b70d-4ee3-818b-3962394930d4

City of Lawrence under financial scrutiny: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2025/02/06/lawrence-misses-bond-payment-deb-whitfield-financial-concerns/75892898007/

Bill Tracker: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/24/indiana-bill-tracker-budget-advances-and-other-moves-at-halfway-point/79350343007/

Wildstyle's Op-ED https://www.blackindylive.com/the-mind-trust-exploits-black-students-in-indianapolis-education-fight/ Housing Articles Mirror Indy: https://mirrorindy.org/broken-housing/

City-County Council Might Not Confirm Mayor's Pick: https://mirrorindy.org/indianapolis-deputy-mayor-lena-hill-city-county-council-accusations/

Click Proposal No. 25 https://indianapolis.granicus.com/player/clip/24550?fbclid=IwY2xjawIt-RhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXlTBsQflG4E3s4GMSIzt-ZRalCtNntRLet-kIf6MVUkTAQ4Gd04IzouqQ_aem_QA0e4PbEkEM_qfU94biAGw

DEI: Federal Government Workforce Diversity Numbers: https://usafacts.org/articles/three-charts-on-diversity-in-the-federal-governments-workforce/

4% of Chief Diversity Officer are Black according to Zippia: https://www.zippia.com/chief-diversity-officer-jobs/demographics/

Asian American students aren't getting the results they hoped for: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/affirmative-action-enrollment-asian-americans-rcna170716

MCDP Reorganization: https://mirrorindy.org/marion-county-democratic-party-indianapolis-annette-johnson-challenge-chair-myla-eldridge/

Judge Blocks Abortion Record Release: https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/briefs/marion-county-judge-blocks-release-of-abortion-records/

Trump Names Alice Johnson "Pardon Czar": https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-alice-johnson-pardon-czar/