The Indianapolis Foundation is honored to share the reflections and insights gathered by Dr. Lorenzo L. Esters, during his first six months as President of the Indianapolis Foundation. This report is a culmination of an extensive listening tour during which he had an invaluable opportunity to connect with many in the community and understand their needs, aspirations, and concerns.

Esters has identified key commitments for the future based on conversations he has had including through large group events, intimate focus groups, one-on-one conversations, and surveys.

Dr. Esters states, “Our community is rich in strengths, from a community that has a strong sense of civic engagement and a vibrant cultural scene. However, challenges such as disparities in access to resources and opportunities require our attention and collaborative efforts. The need to stay the course toward achieving racial equity and economic opportunity emerged as a recurrent theme.”

In response to these findings, The Indianapolis Foundation will embark on a strategic path that aligns with the expressed needs of our community. Upcoming initiatives will ensure our organization’s support directly contributes to community growth, and building alliances with local organizations, businesses, and government entities will be integral to our strategy. By fostering partnerships, the Foundation aims to amplify the impact of our collective efforts. The Foundation maintains its commitment to incorporating diverse perspectives in its decision-making processes and ensuring equitable representation and participation remains a cornerstone of future initiatives.

As the Foundation moves forward, the community’s input remains critical to our success and our community’s health and well-being. The community is invited to continue its engagement and collaboration as we work to shape the future of our community, building a more resilient, inclusive, and thriving Indianapolis for all. Dr. Esters has met approximately 500 individuals with listening and learning and will not stop here. “I will continue reaching out and will be present within our community, and if we haven’t met yet, just know that you are likely on my list of the next very important individuals or organizations to meet,” stated Esters.

“I am excited about the journey ahead and express my sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in these first and formative steps in charting our course for the future together. I am confident that, with your continued support, we will achieve remarkable outcomes for communities across Indianapolis.” 

To read the Summary Report CLICK HERE