Find out more about how this year's art project celebrated both cleaner waterways and culture. In this article, you'll also learn more about the Diversity & Inclusion team's recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, its recent community project, and upcoming events for employees.
Celebrating Cleaner Waterways and Culture Through Art
With feedback from our employees and community members, our 2021 DigIndy Art Project mural is complete and reflective of the vibrant Latino culture found on our city’s westside. This year’s art, located at 3750 West Washington Street in Indianapolis, was completed during Hispanic Heritage Month and brings to life the vision of local Mexican American artist Samuel Peñaloza and Aztec mythology by featuring Tlāloc, supreme god of the rain, earthly fertility, and water. Together, the art highlights the influence of water on our city and in nature.
Take a look at what some of you inspired by watching this two-minute video!
Just like the DigIndy Tunnel System will help improve our local waterways, this new mural enhances our community’s quality of life with art.
Diversity & Inclusion Team Raises Awareness of Hispanic Culture
Through its “Did You Know” series, the Diversity and Inclusion Team celebrated historical figures, art, and achievements of the Hispanic and Latino community. You can find a recap on the team’s iTrust site.
In addition, the team hosted a virtual Lunch and Learn September 30 with featured guest Girsdy Torres, Manager of Access Programs with La Plaza. The organization’s mission is to strengthen Central Indiana by advocating and preparing Latino students for educational success and by connecting Latino families to health and social services. Participants learned more about the organization, the Hispanic and Latino community in Indianapolis, and how to get involved in the work La Plaza is doing.
Photos: Top - The 2021 DigIndy Art Project mural being touched up by the artist, Samuel Peñaloza. Bottom - Representatives of the Indy Juneteenth organization picked up the collected clothing items at the Langsdale campus.
Clothing Drive Supports Two Non-Profits 
As part of the Diversity and Inclusion Team’s initiative to partner with local community organizations that provide services to minorities, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities, it hosted a clothing drive with Indy Juneteenth in August. Juneteenth is a national holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Thank you to our employees who supported this effort! We collected nine large boxes of clothing for men, women, and children, including socks, pajamas, shirts, pants, new undergarments, hats, and gloves. The donations were taken to My Brother’s Keeper in Gary, Indiana, and Wheeler Mission in Indianapolis.
Upcoming D&I Events
Real Conversations: These internal open-dialogue discussions were launched in 2020 to give employees opportunities to engage and learn from one another. This month’s events are scheduled for October 19, 20, 26, and 28 and will focus on LGBTQ+ in the workplace. Sign up at https://bit.ly/RealConvoOct2021.
Lunch and Learns: The next community-focused event will take place October 27 and will provide an opportunity for employees to learn about The Arc of Indiana and disabilities in the workplace. You can sign up at https://bit.ly/ArcOct27.
In addition, on November 10, Jewish Community Relations Council will present a lunch and learn about Chanukah. Sign up at https://bit.ly/JCRCNov10.
Book Club: The next book club selection is Night by Elie Wiesel, a personal account of the Nazi concentration camps. Facilitated discussions are scheduled for November 15, 12-1 p.m. and November 17, 4-5 p.m.
Participation is voluntary and should be approved by a supervisor if during regular work hours. Find more details and sign up from the Book Club quick link on the D&I iTrust site.
