Braun, Faith Leaders Have "Meaningful" Discussion on DEI, Martin U...
Braun, Faith Leaders Have “Meaningful” Discussion on DEI, Martin University
Source: Bill Clark / Getty
STATEHOUSE — Before and after his State of the State address last week, Gov. Mike Braun was approached by several African-American faith leaders who demanded to meet with him over his orders regarding DEI and state funding for a predominantly black university in Indiana.
Braun made good on their demands on Monday by meeting with over a dozen faith leaders at the Statehouse. The meeting was meant to last about an hour and a half, but the conversation between the lasted almost two hours.
“I think we all went to school a little bit,” said Dr. Lionel Rush, president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Indianapolis. “I’m very encouraged by the meeting and I think everyone was very encouraged by the meeting. It was (Braun’s) suggestion, let’s go another 15 minutes.”
The talks centered around Braun’s recent executive orders regarding the discontinuation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices within the state’s government. Braun is replacing those practices with what he calls MEI (merit, excellence, and innovation).
Many minority faith leaders have expressed concerns about the discontinuation of DEI.
They are also upset with Braun’s plans to cut funding for Martin University, which is Indiana’s only predominantly black university.
But, as Rush pointed out, it seems the talks were fruitful and have laid the ground work for further discussions to be had in the near future.
“It was earthy and got down to the point,” Rush said. “(Braun’s) committed to continue to talk to communities who are represented here.”
“That was an hour and a half conversation that we extended another 20 minutes, and the entirety of it was productive,” Braun said. “I think it was invaluable to do it. It always gives you a different perspective. Not too different from the way I’ve tried to be interactive and traveling the state, always willing to listen.”
When asked about where things stand on grant funding for Martin University, Braun was non-committal to anything regarding that situation. He pointed out that the budget process is still in it’s early stages with the state’s proposed two-year budget still in the House Ways and Means Committee.
