Community Newsletter May

Deep Roots, Bright Future

As we celebrate the spirit of Juneteenth, we are reminded that freedom, equity, and opportunity must be protected and advanced for every generation. At a time when diversity initiatives and voting rights face increasing challenges, Flanner House remains committed to empowering communities, honoring our history, and creating pathways toward justice, belonging, and self-sufficiency for all.

In this issue:

• Impact Highlight: Ujamaa Community Bookstore celebrates 5th anniversary!
• Upcoming Events: Juneteenth Celebration (June 19), Annual Golf Outing (August 3), and 128th Anniversary Gala (October 9)
• Donor Spotlight: Brent Lyle, Director of Economic Development

Letter from the Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Brandon D. Cosby

Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom, Survival, Brilliance, and Possibility

Juneteenth is more than a celebration of freedom. It is a reminder of how long freedom has been delayed, denied, and defended in this country. More than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, enslaved Black people in Texas were still waiting to hear they were free. That truth forces us to confront an uncomfortable reality: justice in America has often arrived late for Black communities — and only after struggle demanded it.

Yet Juneteenth is also a celebration of survival, brilliance, and possibility. Despite generations of exclusion and inequity, Black communities built churches, schools, businesses, neighborhoods, art, and movements that transformed this nation. Our history is not only one of oppression, but of extraordinary resilience and collective power.

At Flanner House, Juneteenth reminds us that the work continues. Freedom must mean more than symbolism. It must look like access to healthy food, quality education, economic opportunity, mental wellness, safe neighborhoods, and the ability for families to thrive with dignity. As conversations around equity and belonging face growing resistance, we remain committed to honoring Black history while helping build a future where every person and every community has the opportunity to become whole.

Ujamaa Community Bookstore

Terrel Toles, Manager

5 Years of Stories. 5 Years of Community. 5 Years of Access.

Ujamaa Community Bookstore is a one-of-a-kind staple in our community and our city. From the literature selection and merchandise to the events and the overall culture of the space, Ujamaa is truly a breath of fresh air.

It is a place where people can gather, connect, and commune with one another regardless of background, belief, or walk of life. The store's literature selection centers Black and Brown voices while also uplifting the stories of marginalized people from around the world. Ujamaa carries work that may have been overlooked or shunned in other spaces, creating room for stories that deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

Ujamaa is also home to many Black entrepreneurs throughout Indianapolis. With a wide range of vendors and small businesses represented, from long-standing brands to those just beginning their journey, the bookstore feels like a "Black mall" located in the heart of the city.

Beyond the books and vendors, Ujamaa hosts events that bring people together to learn, grow, and build community. From book clubs and vendor markets to arts, theatre, and community conversations, there is always something meaningful happening in the space.

In a time when people are navigating an unpredictable political climate and many personal struggles, Ujamaa offers grounding, connection, and culture. It is a melting pot where people from different experiences come together, learn from one another, and build relationships through conversation and shared community.

Donor Spotlight: Brent Lyle

Director, Economic Development

Brent Lyle, Director of Economic Development, has been contributing monthly donations to Flanner House for several years. When asked why sustained, monthly giving is so important to creating long-term change in the community, Brent responded:

I'm encouraged by the power of the slow and the small. Think about it; we can all get so rushy rushy throughout our days that we sacrifice so much; dinner for example. We often miss out on the preparation and end up with fast food because… convenient. We might think later, with regret, if we had only turned that slow cooker on before we left the house. Or consider something as simple as walking. We move from here to there every day on our feet, not stopping to reflect that it's only an accumulation of steps, one at a time, to get anywhere we want to go.

My monthly giving to Flanner House is no different. I "set it and forget it;" just like the once famous mantra behind the slow cooker. Months go by, and long as time keeps ticking, I don't need to remember to give; it's already happening in the background. And bit by bit, though small to some at face value, adds up over time to a much larger contribution and a legacy of giving.

I've always desired to be proud that my name was on the business card of any place I've worked. Being at Flanner House, that minimum threshold was met.

Knowing the community good that we do and the momentum that the team is building for what's coming, it is only right that I vote for its continued success by contributing to it.

Flanner House is a trailblazer. For as long as any of us have known it, the organization stands firm in the belief that we can and should thrive. Despite any challenging circumstance that can strike anyone individually, Flanner House stands as a reminder that it is not a requirement to go through it alone. It's a reminder that help and guidance and resources are good things to know where and how to access when you need them.

If we could all just think slow and small, we can grow any dollar into confidence supporting organizations that are meant to live beyond us.

At Flanner House, many of our employees are not only serving the community through their work each day — they are also choosing to invest personally as recurring donors. Their ongoing support reflects a deep belief in our mission and a shared commitment to the families and neighborhoods we serve. Thank you, Brent!

Save the Dates — 2026

Juneteenth Celebration: Friday, June 19th Flanner House proudly invites the community to gather in celebration of freedom, culture, and legacy at this year's Juneteenth Block Party — hosted alongside the 5th-year anniversary of the Ujamaa Community Bookstore.

Join us on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 2424 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. for a family-friendly afternoon of history, resilience, and collective joy. Ujamaa Community Bookstore has been a cornerstone of culture, literacy, and Black economic empowerment on the Near Westside — and this year, their milestone anniversary makes the celebration especially meaningful.

Come out, bring your family, and be part of a community that remembers, honors, and uplifts together.

Golf Outing: Monday, August 3rd Join us on Monday, August 3, 2026, for the Annual Flanner House Golf Outing at The Country Club of Indianapolis (2801 Country Club Rd) — a full day of golf, networking, and community impact from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

A portion of proceeds benefits the Joyce Johnson Memorial Scholarship, honoring a legacy of education, service, and opportunity. Individual registration is $150, with sponsorship opportunities available.

For inquiries, contact funddevelopment@flannerhouse.org.

Donate Today!

For 128 years, Flanner House has stood with this community — through hard winters, unexpected storms, and long, uncertain summers. And every season, we are reminded of the same truth: our work is only possible when all of us take responsibility for one another.

This summer, that responsibility is urgent. When school doors close, the needs of our children and families do not. Young people need safe places to grow, create, and be seen. Families need to know that a nutritious meal is not a question mark.

This is the moral heart of what we do. This is the calling of the moment.

Your gift this summer is more than a donation — it is an act of solidarity. It is a statement that every child deserves a summer of possibility, and that no family should face hunger because the calendar changed.

We have set a goal of $10,000 by June 30, 2026. Whether a one-time gift or an ongoing commitment, every contribution moves us forward. Whatever you are able to give, please know: it matters. It matters deeply.