IBLC, Porter honor Marshall “Major” Taylor with Distinguished Hoosier Award

Today, members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) honored Marshall “Major” Taylor with the Distinguished Hoosier Award. Born in 1878, Taylor became the first African American world champion in cycling.

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) sponsored the award. Porter serves House District 96, which includes the neighborhood Taylor lived in during his time in Indiana.

“I think Indiana has a lot of unsung Black heroes who deserve to be recognized for the barriers they broke,” Porter said in a statement to Indiana Public Broadcasting earlier this month. “Taylor was only the second Black athlete to win a world championship in any sport, and he was a trailblazer in a non-traditional sport. His sprint times are still considered some of the fastest in the world. Growing up as a Black man in Indianapolis, Taylor was a testament to how far grit and willpower could take you. I am honored to posthumously present this award to Marshall 'Major' Taylor for his legendary impact on Indiana.”

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) spoke at the award ceremony, praising Taylor's talent and perseverance.

“Taylor's story is not just one of triumph on the racetrack, but of courage in the face of adversity,” Harris said during the event. “He competed during a time when the color of his skin meant he was often excluded from competitions, subjected to harsh discrimination and even faced with threats of violence. Yet, despite the odds, Taylor's will to succeed remained unshaken. He set more than 20 records and became an international superstar. But even more than his victories, it was his refusal to be silenced or sidelined that made him a true champion.”

IBLC, Porter honor Marshall “Major” Taylor with Distinguished Hoosier Award

Today, members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) honored Marshall “Major” Taylor with the Distinguished Hoosier Award. Born in 1878, Taylor became the first African American world champion in cycling.

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) sponsored the award. Porter serves House District 96, which includes the neighborhood Taylor lived in during his time in Indiana.

“I think Indiana has a lot of unsung Black heroes who deserve to be recognized for the barriers they broke,” Porter said in a statement to Indiana Public Broadcasting earlier this month. “Taylor was only the second Black athlete to win a world championship in any sport, and he was a trailblazer in a non-traditional sport. His sprint times are still considered some of the fastest in the world. Growing up as a Black man in Indianapolis, Taylor was a testament to how far grit and willpower could take you. I am honored to posthumously present this award to Marshall 'Major' Taylor for his legendary impact on Indiana.”

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) spoke at the award ceremony, praising Taylor's talent and perseverance.

“Taylor's story is not just one of triumph on the racetrack, but of courage in the face of adversity,” Harris said during the event. “He competed during a time when the color of his skin meant he was often excluded from competitions, subjected to harsh discrimination and even faced with threats of violence. Yet, despite the odds, Taylor's will to succeed remained unshaken. He set more than 20 records and became an international superstar. But even more than his victories, it was his refusal to be silenced or sidelined that made him a true champion.”

Part of economic development is addressing educational inequity

For decades, the ticket to success has been post-grad education. Michael Hicks, a leading economist from Ball State University, sums it up well with the phrase “education is the path to a middle-class life.” This doesn’t mean that those who head straight into the workforce can’t be successful. I’m a strong believer in choosing the path that’s best for you. However, I can’t deny that jobs requiring degrees usually offer higher pay, consistent wage growth and more security. There are other ways to achieve middle-class life, but the attainment of a college degree is the most likely path to that outcome. 

Unfortunately, Hoosier students are moving away from degrees. Indiana’s college-going rate has plummeted from 65% to only 53% since 2015. COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem, and the cost of schools is another deterrent. We’ve discussed this issue, but we’ve missed a key component: our Black students. College enrollment is dropping across the board, but the decline is more severe among students of color. The college-going rate for Black students has dropped shockingly low to 44%. There’s been some progress through the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) with auto-enrollment for the 21st Century Scholars Program. But more should be done, especially across the aisle, to change the tide.  

Looking at Indiana’s education landscape, it’s easy to understand why Black students forgo college. Let’s look at the most recent college equity report: only 17% of Black students received an Honors diploma, only 40% earned AP or dual credit and only 27% met early success benchmarks. To top it off, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that affirmative action was unconstitutional. These measures encouraged minority students to apply with the promise of equitable admissions. College may not be for everyone, but Black students are clearly underserved. 

Post-grad employment opportunities are similarly dismal. The GOP majority has focused on work-based learning, but Black students are underrepresented in these programs. Registered apprenticeships are a moderately successful program with 21,768 active apprentices who make an average wage of $19.50 per hour. But Black Hoosiers only make up 8.5% of Indiana’s active apprentices. A recent report for the Fiscal Policy Committee highlighted that a “participation and achievement gap remains for African Americans and other minority populations.” Even when they do these programs, they still face inequity in the workforce. Black Hoosiers experience racial disparities in their wages, with differences as large as $2,000 after graduating from adult education or technical programs. 

It’s a Catch-22. We encourage Black students to join work programs instead of college. Then in these programs, they receive lower pay, struggle to get credentialed and struggle to find lasting employment. How do we address these disparities? How do we keep Indiana from falling further behind other states? We could start by re-examining the tax cuts given to big companies or redirecting the “embarrassment of riches” given to non-transparent development projects. Just think, if we “cut the fat” on corporate tax cuts and non-transparent incentives provided for Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s (IEDC) projects we could fully fund education. College degrees are better for economic development, especially for individual wage growth than the LEAP district. 

Let’s redirect our limited resources to human infrastructure which is undoubtedly more important to Indiana’s economic success. Let's begin by funding our universities to the national average. Let’s encourage college attendance since it’s the easiest path to the middle class. Let’s provide support to those pursuing degrees or job training by fully funding child care, transportation and educational grant programs. If we continue following our current path, Indiana will fall further behind with the most adverse effects felt by Black and other marginalized Hoosiers.

Harris testifies on second draft of high school diploma proposal

Today, Nov. 8., the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) met to discuss the second draft of proposed changes to the Indiana high school diploma. At this meeting, SBOE accepted public testimony to close out the public comment period.

 State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) issued the following statement following his testimony to SBOE:

“It’s concerning that, despite months of public feedback, the second draft still leaves critical issues unresolved. I’ve heard from parents, educators and students in my district about the lack of clarity and support in this proposal, and many of their concerns remain unaddressed.

“One key issue is the impact this proposal will have on students with individualized education plans (IEPs). These students are being overlooked in a system that is rushing to implement changes without proper planning or consideration for the resources they need. It's troubling that companies may not be equipped to understand or implement IEPs, especially considering the widespread counselor shortage and the fact that many people, may not fully understand what an IEP entails until these plans were brought up in SBOE public meetings. The proposal lacks clear guidance on how work-based learning sites will ensure these students receive the necessary accommodations. We need a more thoughtful approach—one that ensures equity for all students, particularly those who require additional support.

“I’m also troubled by the lack of rigor in this draft. This isn’t about a simple name change for diplomas; it’s about maintaining the high academic standards that help prepare our students for the future. Unfortunately, the current proposal fails to address how we will maintain that rigor while providing real, sustainable work-based learning opportunities. Also, what about the background checks required for these work placements? Students' safety is paramount, yet there's no mention of whether employers will be required to conduct these checks to ensure a safe environment. While the proposal includes provisions for these experiences, there is no requirement to ensure that students are actually hired or placed in meaningful jobs, nor is there clarity on how transportation to these sites will be handled.

“Another significant concern is funding. The proposal suggests that schools would need to prepare students for this program in half of the school year, but there is no clear funding mechanism to support the staffing and resources required to make this happen. Schools are already stretched thin, and this proposal doesn’t provide the necessary financial support to implement these changes effectively.

“We must ask: Why the rush to implement this without ensuring we have the right resources and structures in place? We can’t afford to compromise the quality of education for our students. I encourage everyone to continue to provide feedback and raise their voices to ensure that the final version of this proposal meets the needs of all students, not just a select few. The stakes are too high for us to accept anything less than a comprehensive, well-thought-out plan.”

Porter comments on dismal monthly revenue report

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement regarding today’s revenue report, which is $183.7 million below forecast: 

“Unfortunately, this is another dismal revenue report that’s well below forecast. Revenue was down in August, and that trend has continued with our revenues down significantly for September. We’re now collectively $159.4 million under the total forecast for fiscal year 2025. 

“These variances in our forecasts may be due to 2023 legislation which changed the timing of payments. In some months, we have higher collections, whereas others have significantly lower payments. Time will tell whether or not the revenue missed this month will be made up over the holidays.

“Even if we do recoup our losses, there’s no denying that we won’t have much wiggle room in 2025. Short-sighted budgetary decisions in the past, like unrestrained voucher spending, diverted funding from public resources. In this next budget cycle, we must prioritize essential long-neglected human infrastructures over unneeded investments. 

“We can still fully fund Medicaid, statewide Pre-K, our public schools and provide a property tax credit with diminished revenue. The money is there: The general fund and state surplus exist to cover unexpected deficits. It all comes down to the programs we prioritize, and I will prioritize resources that truly benefit all Hoosiers.” 

Pryor celebrates Pike High School teacher, Graciela Miranda, named as 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year

Friday (Sept. 27),  the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced Graciela Miranda as the 2025 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Miranda teaches English language learners from Freshman to Senior year at Pike High School.

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor released the following statement:

“I am unbelievably proud to have the 2025 Teacher of the Year, Graciela Miranda, in my district. When the top three finalists were announced, I had the pleasure of sitting in on Mrs. Miranda’s class while she went through a lesson. It was remarkable to see her passion for education and creating life-long learners shine through as she spoke to her class. In that lesson, Mrs. Miranda used her own upbringing as a first-generation college graduate to impart on her students that there is nothing they cannot achieve if they work hard and dream big.

“What stood out most to me about Mrs. Miranda was how deeply she cares for each and every student. It was clear that her students see that as well. After the announcement on Friday, I was touched to see a group of her students run up to Mrs. Miranda and pull her into a big group hug. The reaction from all the students in the room just shows that Mrs. Miranda is seen as an inspiring figure throughout the school.

“With over 64,000 teachers in our state, it is an honor to have one of Pike High School’s own recognized as the best. Congratulations, Mrs. Miranda! Thank you for all that you do for your students and our community.”

IBLC shares teachers’ concerns over proposed high school diplomas

On June 5, the State Board of Education proposed new requirements for high school diplomas. Though the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) insists that the changes outlined in the proposal would offer more flexibility for students, teachers and legislators have raised concerns about the proposal. According to the IDOE, students could pursue one of two new degrees: the less-intensive GPS Diploma or the GPS Diploma Plus, which emphasizes a “high-quality work-based learning experience.” 

However, neither of these degrees provides students with the skills necessary for a successful transition into higher learning. Instead, these diplomas are made to funnel students directly into the job markets at the cost of important core classes in math, the arts, world languages and more. The IBLC echoes the concerns that have been shared by teachers and recognizes that in its current state, the proposed diplomas do not provide the academic rigor necessary to prepare Hoosier students to become well-rounded, academically curious adults.

“School is the time when children should be encouraged to broaden their perspectives and explore a diverse assortment of subjects, not only to help students discover their individual passions but to help shape them into capable adults,” IBLC Chair State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) said.

“While college is not the only route to success, we still must give our students the tools and education necessary to succeed in higher education, if that is the path they choose to pursue. If these new diplomas go into effect, Indiana students may not meet the basic requirements to enroll in our state universities, and they will most certainly fall short of the requirements needed for out-of-state enrollment. The proposed high school diplomas require less of our students and would set up Hoosier children for failure.”

“As someone who has spent my entire career as an educator, the proposed changes to our high school diplomas are deeply troubling,” House Education Committee Ranking Democrat State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) said.  

“It is important to ensure that our public schools prepare students for whatever path they choose to pursue after graduation but taking away the requirement for essential classes such as foreign languages, economics, fine arts and world history is not the way to achieve that goal. Our chronically underfunded public schools may be forced to cut these classes altogether if they are not required to offer them. This new system takes opportunities away from all Hoosier students and devalues Indiana's education.

“Our goal should be to foster curiosity and create life-long learners with open minds to the experiences around them. How do we expect a student to realize that they could have a real future as a translator or an economist if they are never exposed to those topics? As I always say, the mind is like a parachute: it doesn't work if it isn't open.” 

The State Board of Education is accepting feedback on the proposed diplomas. All parents, students, educators and stakeholders are encouraged to share their concerns and can do so via the online form here. 

IBLC celebrates 2024 legislative session accomplishments

With the 2024 legislative session at a close, the Indianapolis Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) reflected on their achievements for the session, including the passage of healthcare, economic security and education legislation.

IBLC Chair State Rep. Earl Harris (D-East Chicago) highlighted the legislative accomplishments of members of the IBLC, including:

• House Bill 1004, co-authored by all House IBLC members and voted for by all Senate IBLC members

• Delivers a 13th check to public retirees

• House Bill 1021, co-authored by Rep. Renee Pack (D-Indianapolis) and co-sponsored by Sen. Andrea Hunley (D-Indianapolis)
  WHAT: Establishes a “Green Alert” for missing service members and veterans

• Senate Bill 5, co-authored by Sen. Andrea Hunley (D-Indianapolis) and co-sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond)
  WHAT: Assists utility providers in replacing lead service lines to prevent health complications

• House Bill 1058, co-authored by Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) and co-sponsored by Sen. Andrea Hunley (D-Indianapolis) and Sen. Lonnie Randolph (D-East Chicago)
  WHAT: Improves the quality of breast cancer screenings by requiring an assessment of a patient's breast tissue density

Additionally, the IBLC worked to defeat harmful pieces of legislation during the eleventh hour of the legislative session, including:

• A draft conference committee report of House Bill 1243
  WHAT: Would have removed collective bargaining rights for teachers

• A conference committee report of House Bill 1329
  WHAT: A bill resurrected by Republican lawmakers to deregulate PFAS chemicals, synthetic compounds that pose serious health risks

“I am proud of the work that our Indiana Black Legislative Caucus members did this session to champion positive legislation and defeat legislation that would have proven harmful to Hoosiers,” Harris said.

“The IBLC is lucky to have members who have proven time and time again that they are dedicated to tirelessly serving their communities. It is a combination of that very commitment to service and the emphasis on bipartisanship that every IBLC member holds dear that allows us to bring these legislative successes into being.

“Though we have turned the page on this legislative session, the IBLC remains hard at work, crafting impactful policy for next year. As we begin laying the groundwork for next session, we will continue to work for our communities and craft policy that is representative of the issues facing Hoosiers today.”

The IBLC is currently in the process of developing its legislative agenda for the 2025 legislative session. Additionally, the caucus has begun scheduling and planning a series of town halls. Information regarding the 2025 legislative theme, as well as the specific dates and location for upcoming town halls will be unveiled later this year.