Indianapolis, IN

Former interim library CEO Nichelle Hayes parting ways with library, effective immediately

Published

12 months ago

January 3, 2024

Former interim library CEO Nichelle Hayes parting ways with library, effective immediately

Nichelle Hayes, the embattled former interim CEO of the Indianapolis Public Library who was passed over for the top job, left the organization Wednesday, the library’s board of trustees announced.

The decision to part ways was mutual, according to a statement from the board.

“Nichelle M. Hayes has been an asset to the Indianapolis Public Library and the community as a whole for many years. During a difficult transitional period for the library, Ms. Hayes stepped up and skillfully filled the role of Interim CEO,” the statement said. “Ms. Hayes and the Library have decided to mutually part ways. The Library wishes her the best of luck in her future endeavors and appreciates her many years of dedication to the organization.”

In a statement Hayes also shared on Facebook, she wrote that she felt humbled by those who supported and advocated for her to be appointed the library’s permanent CEO.

“As I now chart a new path, I am proud of the work and partnerships formed during my career at the library. I am excited to bring my passion, skills and abilities to the next chapter of my adventure,” she said.

Hayes’ exit from the organization closes the chapter on a years-long saga — marked by in-fighting, dysfunction, mistrust, division, the appointments of several acting CEOs and public protests — to install new leadership and stability at the library following the 2021 resignation of long-time chief executive Jackie Nytes.

Nytes stepped down after former and current employees accused her of contributing to a toxic work environment, rife with racism and discrimination. Nytes denied that the accusations of racism were true.

Revisit: Following accusations of racism, the Indianapolis Public Library’s CEO will step down

Hayes was the second acting CEO to serve in the position after Nyte’s resigned. She had joined the Indianapolis Public Library System in 2015, working as a librarian who would most notably serve as the manager the agency’s Center for Black Literature and Culture.

“Creating the Center for Black Literature & Culture (CBLC) was an opportunity of a lifetime. When the CBLC was in the building stage we wanted it to be both Windows and Mirrors, for people who were a part of the African Diaspora and those who were not,” Hayes wrote. “For both of those groups to learn and grow richer in their understanding of the world. The CBLC allowed me to utilize and combine my love for history & literature while working collaboratively with others.”

Hayes served as interim CEO from March to December 2022, taking over for prior interim CEO John Helling, who was initially tapped for the position following Nyte’s resignation.

“I was elated by the opportunity to give back to the system and community in a significant way, especially as the first Black person to take on the role,” Hayes said. “One of my favorite parts of this role was the opportunity to share and combine diverse perspectives of employees and patrons. As a person who began my career as a front line worker, I strived to bring that perspective to the role in order to benefit the employees as a whole.”

Hayes had sought to become the library system’s permanent leader. She had broad support from members of the community, city council members and the union representing library staff, but faced opposition from several members of the board in a months-long national search and conflict over who would lead the library system.

Despite the outpouring of community and staff support for Hayes, the board chose to name Gregory Hill, a longtime library staffer and U.S. Naval officer, who was named interim CEO after the board’s national search pick declined the post after a public outcry. The board refused to give the job to Hayes.

Hill became the permanent CEO In April.

Contact IndyStar investigative reporter Alexandria Burris at aburris@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @allyburris.

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Indianapolis, IN

Giants vs. Colts: 3 causes for concern in Week 17

Published

6 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Giants vs. Colts: 3 causes for concern in Week 17

The New York Giants host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday and will head into their final two games of the season as the lone team in the NFL with just two wins.

With their loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16, the Giants’ current losing streak of 10 games is the longest in the NFL and the longest franchise history.

Meanwhile, the Colts are coming off a win against the Tennessee Titans keeping their slim postseason hopes alive.

The Giants opened as 7.5-point home underdogs earlier this week, and they will host their final home game of the season on Sunday.

Here are three causes for concern for the Giants ahead of Week 17.

Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The hot hand

The Giants have struggled against the run all season long (although they’ve been better in recent weeks). They will now have to go up against a running back in Jonathan Taylor who put up 200-plus yards and three touchdowns last week.

The Colts ran 50 times in Week 16 and had just 11 passing attempts on the day. If Indy has their rushing game working again early on, expect them to keep going to it if the Giants can’t stop them.

Photo credit: Phil NY Giants Fan

MetLife Stadium woes

The Giants are in danger of becoming the first team in NFL history to lose nine home games in one season. As if that wasn’t embarrassing enough, they are doing it as they celebrate the franchise’s 100th season.

In the last few home games, fans have funded banners to fly over MetLife stadium in protest. It certainly doesn’t help when fans cheered a few short weeks ago as the Giants’ attempt at a game-tying field goal was blocked against the Saints.

The Giants have been really bad at home this year and those struggles are likely to continue in Week 17.

Luke Johnson-Imagn Images

The injury report

One of the few players on the Giants who has something to play for personally is Malik Nabers. He and many other notable names appeared on the injury report on Wednesday. The Giants are so beat up on both sides of the ball that they can not afford more injuries.

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Indianapolis, IN

Colts’ Anthony Richardson Pops Up on Injury Report for Giants Clash

Published

16 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Colts’ Anthony Richardson Pops Up on Injury Report for Giants Clash

The Indianapolis Colts released their first practice report for the New York Giants Week 16 matchup on Christmas Day. However, per the Colts’ post on X: “The Colts did not practice on Wednesday.
Wednesday’s practice report is only an estimation of a player’s participation if there was a practice.”

The Colts did not practice on Wednesday.
Wednesday’s practice report is only an estimation of a player’s participation if there was a practice. pic.twitter.com/dhW1dbr0qU
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 25, 2024

Tight end Mo Alie-Cox (toe), linebacker Jaylon Carlies (shoulder), and E.J. Speed all filed as non-participants for the ‘practice.’ However, Anthony Richardson sticks out like a sore thumb with his designation (back, foot).

Richardson has been far better in 2024 at avoiding injuries and is coming off a divisional win against the Tennessee Titans where he completed 7/11 passes for 131 passing yards, one touchdown toss, and an interception. Richardson also tacked on nine carries for 70 rushing yards (7.8 yards per carry), and another score.

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Richardson’s practice report for the rest of the week will be the top name to monitor as Indy looks to defeat a struggling Giants team at MetLife Stadium. Despite the Colts getting a much-needed victory over the Titans at home, they did so in close fashion (38-30) despite a fantastic performance from running back Jonathan Taylor.

Indianapolis must play better defensively late in the game, limit turnovers offensively, and continue to operate well through the ground attack to defeat Brian Daboll’s squad. We’ll see what happens with Shane Steichen’s approach and Richardson’s designation as the week winds down.

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.

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Indianapolis, IN

Colts’ Jonathan Taylor Joins Elite Company After Demolishing Titans

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Colts’ Jonathan Taylor Joins Elite Company After Demolishing Titans

The Indianapolis Colts had a solid offensive performance during their much-needed win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. But no one had a bigger day on that side of the ball than star running back Jonathan Taylor.

Taylor had his best showing of the season during Sunday’s 38-30 victory against the Titans, one where he put up 29 carries, 218 rushing yards, and three touchdowns. It was his second contest in a row with over 100 yards on the ground, and his second time this season landing multiple touchdown scores in one game.

Yet, to put up over 200 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns in one day has been almost unheard of across the past decade in the NFL.

Taylor’s electric 200-yard, three-touchdown performance matches with only two others in the past ten years. ESPN’s Stephen Holder revealed just how rare Taylor’s day was when showcasing the Colts’ most eye-popping stat from Sunday:

“Taylor became the third player with 200-plus rushing yards and three touchdowns in a game over the past decade. His 218 rushing yards were the second most of his career, behind 253 yards against the Jaguars in 2020.”
– Stephen Holder, ESPN

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A day with over 200 yards is nothing new for Taylor, as this one vs. Tennessee only comes in as his second-highest rushing total for his career. Yet, to pair the production on the ground with three rushing touchdowns has only been done by two other players: former Pittsburgh Steelers back Le’Veon Bell and former Titans back, Derrick Henry, who accomplished the feat twice.

Jonathan Taylor again from 70 yards out! 🔥
📺: #TENvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/IuGb4jFfsu
— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
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It’s been one of Taylor’s better collective seasons since being drafted to Indianapolis in 2020. Through 12 games, he’s posted 1,129 yards on 237 carries, piling in eight rushing touchdowns and a receiving. The historic day against the Titans makes this fifth-year pro look even better.

The Colts back will have some easy assignments on the schedule ahead, hopefully continuing his hot hand moving into the final stretch. Indianapolis will hope to secure two straight wins when they travel to New Jersey this weekend to face the 2-13 New York Giants.

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.

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