March Newsletter
March calls us to honor the enduring resilience, leadership, and lasting impact of women across America. Women’s History Month recognizes their contributions to culture, business, education, science, and civic life. We especially celebrate Black women whose innovation and advocacy continue advancing equity, strengthening families, and shaping America’s collective future.
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Letter from the Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Brandon D. Cosby
Women Who Build the Village
Honoring Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month — a time to recognize the countless ways women have shaped our families, our institutions, and the very fabric of our communities. Across generations, women have been builders of movements, guardians of culture, organizers of neighborhoods, and architects of the systems of care that allow communities to thrive. Their labor has not always been centered in the official telling of history, but the truth is that much of what holds society together has been sustained by the leadership, vision, and courage of women.
This is especially true for women of Color, and particularly Black women, whose contributions have often been forged under the weight of both racial and gender injustice. From the abolitionist movement to the civil rights movement, from classrooms to courtrooms, from kitchens to boardrooms, Black women have consistently stood at the forefront of community building. Women like Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Mary McLeod Bethune, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Baker, and Shirley Chisholm did more than challenge injustice — they built structures that expanded opportunity for generations that followed. Their work reminds us that leadership is not always loud or celebrated, but it is steady, courageous, and deeply rooted in a commitment to collective progress.
Black women have also long been the backbone of community institutions across the country. Long before many organizations had formal funding or recognition, it was women who organized mutual aid networks, taught children, fed neighbors, cared for elders, and held communities together during times of crisis. Their work has always been about more than survival. It has been about dignity, possibility, and creating pathways forward when systems failed to provide them.
At Flanner House, the legacy of women’s leadership runs deep. From its earliest days in 1898, women played a central role in shaping the organization’s mission and its presence in the Near Northwest community. Educators, organizers, and community leaders helped build the foundation that allowed Flanner House to become a place where Black families could access education, opportunity, and support.
One remarkable example of this legacy is that Madam C.J. Walker, the pioneering entrepreneur and the first self-made female millionaire in America,
once taught business classes at Flanner House. Long before entrepreneurship became a buzzword, Walker was sharing knowledge, encouraging economic independence, and demonstrating what was possible when Black women claimed ownership of their talents and their futures.
That tradition of women shaping this institution continued through leaders like France Malone, who dedicated 42 years of service to Flanner House and
retired as our Director of Education. Her steady leadership helped shape the philosophy and care that define our Child Development Center today. Generations of children and families benefited from her belief that
every child deserves a nurturing environment where they can grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially. Even today, the work happening in our classrooms carries the imprint of her commitment.
Across 128 years, women have helped make Flanner House more than an agency. They have made it an anchor for families and a builder of opportunity in our neighborhood.
Women’s History Month is not simply about reflection; it is about recognition. It is about acknowledging that many of the strongest institutions in our society exist because women refused to accept the limitations placed before them. They built, organized, taught, cared, and led — often without the credit they deserved, but always with the determination to create something better for the next generation.
At Flanner House, we are proud to carry forward a legacy shaped by women who believed deeply in the power of community. Their work reminds us that real change is rarely the result of a single moment or a single leader. It is built over time by people who show up, care deeply, and commit themselves to the long work of building something that will outlast them.
This month, and every month, we honor the women who built the foundation — and the women who continue to build the future.
Celebrating Women in Leadership
Debra White, Chief Operations Officer
As we celebrate women this month, I am honored to join in as a Black woman, especially alongside so many great women who open doors to leadership opportunities. Serving at the oldest Black agency in Indianapolis, Flanner House, is a joy. Flanner House has been making an impact for over 128 years, and I have spent over 14 years here. Currently, I serve as COO. It is a privilege to work alongside Dr. Brandon D. Cosby, CEO of Flanner House, who supports others in shining, rather than being intimidating or seeing himself as a threat.
Often, Black women in leadership are seen as aggressive, weak, or threatened by men. I remember Brandon having a serious conversation with me about my leadership as a Black woman, encouraging me to be confident in myself, recognize my value, and know I belong not just at the table but in every space within the agency. It is rewarding to be part of this history and to work with an excellent team as we continue to support and lead individuals and families on the path to self-reliance. During this special month, I invite each of us to look for ways to amplify and support the voices of Black women in our community.
Whether by mentoring, lifting up a peer’s accomplishments, or creating spaces for new leaders to shine, we can all play a part in extending both celebration and opportunity. Together, let’s make sure our appreciation leads to greater recognition, inclusion, and action throughout the year.
Celebrating Women in Leadership
Sarah Zike, Chief Financial & Program Officer
Imagine living in a world where there is no domination, …but where a vision of mutuality is the ethos shaping our interaction. Imagine living in a world where we can all be who we are, a world of peace and possibility” … “it will make it possible for us to be fully self-actualized” … “able to create beloved community, to live together, realizing our dreams of freedom and justice, living the truth that we are all “created equal.” -bell hooks
Public white culture—the things we learn in school, the things covered in media, the legal ‘protections’ that exist, the pictures we see in magazines and popular media—dresses things up to have us believe that we are living in mutuality, writ large. That white culture is benevolent, equal, collaborative and inclusive in all efforts. Therefore, the dominance and oppression minoritized communities have decried for centuries is illusory and radical.
As a white woman, I, like many of my white counterparts, have been conditioned to believe that the mutualism hooks refers to is what we have been living since the Emancipation Proclamation and the feminism of the 1970’s. Stepping foot into Flanner House three years ago, I knew work for justice and mutuality was what I wanted to do, to preserve, or whatever the social/political/economic climate called for. What I found here was that I didn’t recognize how vast the gulf was between reality and perception.
Flanner House is a different kind of place. In this place, I have seen a different reality that doesn’t match the perception of my own culture. The vast majority of staff members are Black women in all positions of leadership and responsibility—teaching babies in the CDC, building food ecosystems through the farm, the bodega, and the café, running operations, providing case management and counseling. Coming into this space, mutuality is what happens here, and it was the first time I had seen it in a workspace.
What happens at Flanner House is what happens in environments when voices aren’t silenced; when cultural and gender representation isn’t something to guard against and homogenize; when our differences are strengths that are celebrated, embraced, and recognized. Our work, powered by openness, empathy and love, largely by the hands of women, is the beloved community, if even at this small scale, and has been for 128 years.
MEET THE WOMEN ON THE FLANNER HOUSE BOARD
Deb Lawrence, Board President:
Deb Lawrence serves as Vice President for Administration and General Counsel at Marian University and leads Flanner House as Board President, guiding strategy, governance, impact.
Gloria Crawford:
Gloria Crawford serves as Vice President and Community Reinvestment Officer at Lake City Bank and brings financial expertise, community insight, and leadership to her role on the Flanner House Board.
Dr. Paricia Payne:
Dr. Patricia A. Payne, educator and IPS consultant, champions educational equity and social justice. A former teacher, she founded the Crispus Attucks Center advancing student excellence.
Carolyn Watts:
Carolyn Watts, retired Human Services Consultant for the State of Indiana, is a near Northwest Indianapolis resident and dedicated Flanner House board member committed to community service.
Celebrating Women in Leadership
Mercedes J. Guyse, MBA, Employer Relationship Manager
Flanner House and Eskenazi Health Connect Community Members to Healthcare Careers Through Workforce Workshop
On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Flanner House Workforce Development partnered with Eskenazi Health to host an “Introduction to Healthcare Careers” workshop for community members interested in entering the healthcare field. The event, held at Flanner House, drew approximately 10 participants and was designed to connect local residents directly with healthcare career opportunities.
The workshop was led by Natalie Weisenbach, Community Talent Partner at Eskenazi Health, who provided an overview of entry-level and advancement pathways across the organization. She highlighted opportunities in patient care, environmental services, hospitality, and other clinical and non-clinical roles, while also outlining Eskenazi Health’s hiring process, employee benefits, workplace culture, and opportunities for continued education and career growth. Emphasis was placed on the importance of certifications, strong soft skills, and a commitment to patient-centered care.
Following the presentation, participants took part in a meet-and-greet session with Weisenbach, allowing for one-on-one conversations about career interests, application tips, and next steps. This interactive component gave attendees practical guidance and a direct connection to a hiring representative within one of Indianapolis’ largest healthcare systems.
The session was the second installment of Flanner House’s “Careers, Conversations, and Connections” workshop series, which brings employers into the community to speak directly with potential candidates. Attendance was consistent with the first workshop in the series, which featured the Mosaic Center and IU Health. A future session is planned with Fastenal, with details to be announced on Flanner House social media channels one to two weeks in advance.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Moonchild Partners with Flanner House Highlighting Mental Health
On Sunday, March 15, Los Angeles–based R&B and jazz trio Moonchild combined music with community engagement during their performance at Old National Centre. As part of their tour, the band highlights local organizations making meaningful contributions in the cities they visit.
This year’s focus is mental health, and Flanner House was invited to share its work and impact. During the program, CEO, Dr. Brandon Cosby, and Chief Wellness Officer, Bwana Clements (Morningstar), participated in a brief onstage interview, engaged with attendees, and encouraged audience members to support community wellness initiatives.
In a meaningful gesture of support, Moonchild also donated $1 from every ticket sold that evening to Flanner House, further advancing the organization’s efforts to expand access to mental health and wellness resources in the community.
YOUR GIFT MATTERS!
SAVE THE DATES – 2026
Golf Outing Monday, August 3rd
Spend a meaningful summer day on the greens while supporting community impact!
Join Flanner House on Monday, August 3, 2026, for our annual Golf Outing at The Country Club of Indianapolis. Enjoy great company, friendly competition, and a beautiful course—all for a powerful cause. A portion of proceeds benefits the Joyce Johnson Memorial Scholarship, honoring a woman whose life’s work centered on education, service, and clearing pathways for others to succeed.
128th Anniversary Gala Friday, October 9th
Join Flanner House as we celebrate 128 years of impact, resilience, and community at our Anniversary Gala! This unforgettable evening will honor the individuals whose dedication and hard work drive lasting change across Indianapolis.
Don’t miss a night of inspiration, connection, and celebration as we reflect on our shared legacy and invest together in the future we are building—one life at a time.
COMMIT NOW FOR 2026
We’re preparing for our 128th Anniversary celebration this year and invite you to confirm your early sponsorship commitment! Sponsors will be featured in our announcements and event marketing materials. If you’ve supported Flanner House in the past but were unable to join us in 2025, we’d love to welcome you back!
Join us today and help us continue growing a brighter future together.
