The Indiana Publisher

Page 9 January 2021 served as a national column that newspapers could publish. When funding for the national column ended last year, HSPA Foundation was able to secure the popular column – now with a focus on Hoosiers' health con- cerns – with Lieberman continu- ing to serve as the author. "Many Indiana newspapers don't have the staffing to devote a reporter who solely covers com- munity health concerns," said Steve Key, executive director and general counsel for the Hoosier State Press Association. "Trudy brings that expertise that all our Indiana newspapers can use to better serve their readers." Lieberman, a journalist for more than 50 years is also currently a contributing editor at the Center for Health Journalism digital where she blogs about health care and health policy. She began her career as a consumer reporter at the Detroit Free Press, one of the first consum- er writers in the country where her reporting became a model for other reporters across the country. She has had a long career at Consumer Reports specializing in consumer credit, insurance, health care and health care financing. For twenty-five years she was also a contributing editor to the Columbia Journalism Review and blogged about media coverage of health care legislation and other health and medical topics. She has also contributed to The Nation and Harper's Magazine and has written a column for the Los Angeles Times. She holds a B. S. with dis- tinction from the University of Nebraska and is the recipient of three Fulbright Scholar awards. She also was awarded an honor- ary doctorate of humane letters from the University of Nebraska. In 2011 Lieberman was named the Soderland Visiting Professor in the College of Journalism at the University of Nebraska where she taught public affairs reporting. "As you can see, Trudy brings a lifetime of experience in report- ing on issues that effect the lives of ordinary citizens," Key said. "The Foundation Board hopes that Indiana newspapers will take advantage of this opportunity to present readers with information that otherwise would be hard for them to find." Lieberman will write one column a month for the HSPA Foundation. Editors should expect the first Hoosier Health column to be distributed in early February. Column Continued from Page 1 "Many Indiana newspapers don't have the staffing to devote a reporter who solely covers community health concerns. Trudy brings that expertise that all our Indiana newspapers can use to better serve their readers." — Steve Key, HSPA executive director, general counsel Staff Reports Indianapolis Recorder Pointing to the effective col- laboration in 2020, Mckinzie noted, "Unimaginable adversity intensified the need to help put the Black economic sector in the best possible position to prepare for and deal with unforeseen situations. "IBE and the Indianapolis Recorder enjoy a rich tradition of teaming together for a common cause. Our goal moving forward is to combine efforts of like-minded organizations in becoming more strategic in such planning and implementations." Indiana Recorder Media Group President & CEO Robert Shegog says elevation of the longstanding partnership with IBE is both criti- cal and timely. Evolving challenges require fresh, effective and sustain- able community empowerment strategies. "Discrimination and racism affect all parts of Black lives, per- sonally and collectively, including where people live, education, types of jobs, access to health care, insur- ance coverage, and a host of other factors," Shegog remarks. "Public health crises like the COVID- 19 pandemic magnify this impact and high- light disproportionately negative effects on Black communities. The Indianapolis' Black community has been resilient and persevered through a tough 2020." Shegog added, "It is impera- tive that local Black Legacy Organizations like Indianapolis Recorder and IBE set the tone for our community on the impor- tance of col- laboration and unity as we embark on the journey ahead to develop the infrastructure and sys- tems needed to ensure that the Black Community in Indianapolis never goes through another year like 2020." Meaningful innovations evolved in the midst of COVID. While businesses lamented disappointing profits in the throes of the pan- demic, IBE launched the IBX Series designed to support millennial-led enterprises in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area. The culminating IBX Power Pitch Competition teamed IBE with The Recorder, and InnoPower to enable 15 entrepreneurs to vie for $9,000 in cash prizes. The Indianapolis Recorder Facebook live-streamed the contest. This is an example of creative thinking needed for evolving chal- lenges, say Mckinzie and Shegog who hope their organizations will facilitate community dialogue to strengthen foundations, expand opportunity and develop sustainable strategies for continuous growth. Both are convinced that a broad base of focused leadership in Indianapolis will ensure impact- ful and pervasive solutions across the community. Mckinzie concluded, "In 2021, IBE and the Recorder Media Group will create broader platforms for the collaboration of non-profit groups, corporations, media, faith-based entities, and educators as well as civic and social groups, to work toward the elimination of barriers to optimum learning, work, health, safety, and economics." Indiana Black Expo, Indianapolis Recorder Media Group escalate partnership to advance community building in 2021 "It is imperative that local Black Legacy Organizations like Indianapolis Recorder and IBE set the tone for our community on the importance of collaboration and unity as we embark on the journey ahead ..." — Robert Shegog, President & CEO, Indianapolis Recorder Media Group

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