The Bridge Forum Brings Impactful 'Time for Change' Series to Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The HeroZona Foundation, in partnership with AP & Associates LLC, is excited to bring the Bridge Forum "Time for Change" series to Indianapolis on Tuesday, October 6 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. During the event, a panel of Indiana leaders in government and law enforcement will discuss systemic racism in America and what actions can be taken to achieve equality. The invitation only event, taking place at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis (1 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis), is a collaborative effort between law enforcement, government, businesses and community leaders with support from State of Indiana Attorney General's Office, Hyatt Regency Indianapolis, Indianapolis Recorder, AMP Harris Productions and the National Newspaper Publishers Association. The forum will also be livestreamed to the public on Facebook.com/HeroZonaOrg/Live.

"Seeing the change that this series has inspired in Arizona encouraged us to begin spreading this important and timely message to other states," says Ron Williams, President of the HeroZona Foundation. "We are honored to have this group of distinguished Indiana leaders impart their wisdom and ideas to help fix the cracks in our system. Thanks to Alan "AP" Powell's vision for the Bridge Forum, we have been fortunate to share our message of living together, working together and creating respect in a variety of different ways."

Event panelists include Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief of Police Randal Taylor, Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police President William Owensby, Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter, Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. and National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives President Lynda R. Williams. Special guests of the forum include City of Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, Indiana State Representative for District 95 John L. Bartlett, Fort Wayne United Director Iric Headley and Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill.

The fifth event in this series will be moderated by the President & CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, National Director of the Million Man March, and Assistant to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. Dr. Chavis first received international recognition in 1971 as the leader of the Wilmington Ten, when he was wrongfully convicted of committing arson and received the longest sentence before winning his appeal in 1980.

"This event is timely and strategically important not only for the city of Indianapolis and the state Indiana, but for the entire nation," says Dr. Chavis. "It is an opportune time to discuss how to further improve relations between policy makers, law enforcement and the communities in which they serve."

"We have reached a pivotal point in our history when it comes to issues of equality, justice and racial reconciliation," Attorney General Hill said. "The events of 2020 have made this reality abundantly clear. We must pave a path forward to progress or else we will fall backward into a deep rut that could take decades from which to climb out. Without hyperbole, we can affirm that the very future of America is at stake. So we must come together around our common ideals and unite as one in order to save our nation from a ruinous fate of long-term discord and division. It's time we build the bridge for positive change."

"The time is at hand to have those crucial, sometimes uncomfortable conversations about the ills of our society," National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives President Lynda R. Williams said. "In order to correct our problems, we must first acknowledge that the problems exit."

"As a black man in America with some privilege, I am afforded the opportunity to sit in rooms with very influential people of power like politicians and law professionals," says AMP Harris. "However, those same politicians and law professionals get to throw the rock and hide their hand when it comes to black people and equality in the legal system with zero accountability. It is great to be a part of the Bridge Forum, where we focus on transparency and accountability to break those cycles and create actions so needed today."

"Events like this are necessary for Indianapolis and cities around the nation because it's time for us to enact lasting change by leaving a legal legacy for our citizens," said Richard Reynolds, Senior Pastor of New Revelation Christian Church, who will be giving the invocation at the forum. "The aim is to capture the attention of those in positions of power who can make policies to ensure that justice is being served, from every angle. We want to use every resource available to help protect our communities."

"On behalf of the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis, we are grateful for our partnership with the HeroZona Foundation to host such an impactful event for the city of Indianapolis," Kyle Hueston, general manager, said. "At Hyatt Regency, we care for people so they can be their best and it is clear that The Bridge Forum cares about the business owners, residents and constituents of Indianapolis. We welcome you to our home and hope that this gathering will foster positive change in our great city."

Recently, the organization hosted the Bridge Forum, "One Team," which took place in Phoenix on September 8, where major Arizona sports leaders including Arizona Cardinals Owner Michael J. Bidwill, Arizona Coyotes President & CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez, Phoenix Suns President & CEO Jason Rowley, Arizona Diamondbacks Vice President of People and Culture Joe Walsh, Phoenix Raceway President Julie Giese and Arizona State University Athletic Director Ray Anderson discussed social justice activism in sports.

The Bridge Forum "Time for Change" part one occurred on Tuesday, June 23 at the Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65 and focused on current events within the black community and law enforcement to examine how communities can work together with police to create equality in the nation. The series' second and third segments took place on Tuesday, July 14 at the W Scottsdale and Tuesday, August 11 at the Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West and focused on similar topics. The Bridge Forum, "Next Generation", happened on Tuesday, August 25 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Tempe and highlighted young leaders from various public & private Arizona organizations advocating for change.

The first four Bridge Forum "Time for Change" parts included panelists such as Superintendent for the Roosevelt School District No. 66 Quintin Boyce, Arizona State Representative from District 27 Reginald Bolding, Founder of Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles Larry White, Police Chief of the City of Scottsdale Alan G. Rodbell, Chief Special Agent of Attorney General Arizona Reggie Grigsby, President of East Valley NAACP Roy M. Tatem Jr., National Forum for Black Public Administrators Central Arizona Chapter President Travis L. Cutright, Mesa Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Dr. James Driscoll, West Mesa Precinct Judge Elaissia Sears and many other notable leaders.

In January 2018, the Scottsdale Police Department in Arizona implemented 29 new initiatives from the Scottsdale Bridge Forum 2017, which included establishing sufficient resources for police personnel dealing with trauma, establishing dialogue opportunities with under-served communities, enhancing engagement with the community's youth and identifying ways to address the needs of the community related to behavioral health.

For more information about the Bridge Forum and to stream its upcoming event on Tuesday, October 6, visit Facebook.com/HeroZonaOrg.

About the HeroZona Foundation

The HeroZona Foundation is a non-profit organization that empowers Heroes in the community through entrepreneurship, employment, and education. The group works with veterans, first responders and those that bring social good to future generations and under-served communities. The foundation's mission is to create opportunities for the brave men and women who serve their country, and community, every day. For more information, please visit HeroZona.org.

About AP & Associates LLC

AP & Associates creates strategic initiatives to enhance client revenue and increase ROI. AP & Associates creates carefully designed alliances with Government, Fortune 500, private equity and channel partners to expand our client's market share, enhance their bottom line, and reduce ROI timeframes. The company's key differentiator is to utilize non-traditional market channels to enhance overall market and customer acquisition for our clients. For more information, visit apscottsdale.com.

###

SOURCE The Bridge Forum